2. pc-audio
  3. 1243817965

Help create my Mac Music Server

• I've just installed a PCI card from M-Audio (Audiophile 2496) that inputs and outputs 24/96 analog data & coax S/PDIF input/output . I have it in my Dual 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 Deskside (dedicated to this application), running OS-10.5.7. As yet I haven't used it. I intend to insert 2 internal 1 GB drives in a RAID configuration - it will hold up to 4 internal drives (ATA/EIDE). My intention is to build up a HiDef digital library. I intend to transfer my thousands of records by sampling them at 24/96 from a very good vinyl playback system. I intend to sample the output from my $30,000 Audio Note DAC 5, rather than rip them from the CD - I'm hoping this will produce better sound thru the 24/96 DAC than I would get thru a cheaper CD-DAC when I sell my DAC 5. For CD quality (that I would get from ripping my CD's) - I plan on to output the data thru the S/PDIF output on the Audiophile 2496.
I don't know what music library management system to use. iTunes won't hold the 24/96 audio. I also plan to purchase all future music from HD Tracks (HDtracks.com) in 24/96 format (FLAC because of it's error correction capabilities for downloads & lossless compression on my HD). I don't know what s/w will convert the FLAC to 24/96 on the fly as I play the music. If I can't find such an on the fly converter, I may have to store them on my HD in the full 24/96 format, which will take up substantially more space.
I don't know for sure yet, but I think my 24/96 M-Audio card will also playback 24 bit/88 kHz as well as 44 & 48 kHz and iPod music. I may be able to come in on the S/PDIF input and go out the 24/96 and have it upsampled as part of the Audiophile 24/96. It may upsample from CD quality on my HD - all unknown as of today.
Any thoughts on any of the above would be appreciated.
Music library/playback server s/w - FLAC convertor - Audiophile 2496 capabilities - ... - all for a Mac - PC is not an option
stan_head
dmailer's avatar
dmailer
235 posts
 
I am using a Mac Mini with 4gb of RAM using a Firewire 800 cable to an Icy Dock 2 bay RAID enclosure with hardware RAID. It is set up for RAID 1 for mirrored operation. I realize that there are some risks of both drives failing or slow rebuild time but I felt it would be easier to deal with than having to back up on an ongoing basis. The computer sees it as one drive and you never have to deal with it once it is set up. I went with two 1TB WD green enterprise level drives. Not the fastest but plenty fast enough for music with less vibration and very quiet.
sufentanil's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
sufentanil
782 posts
 
Dmailer, I think it's important to realize that RAID 1 doesn't eliminate the need for backups. It protects you only from a hard drive failure. That's it. There is no protection from accidentally deleting files, the filesystem becoming corrupted for some reason, or damage from a virus. You still need backups, even with the RAID, in order to be safe.

If you only have the money for 2 drives, I would advocate using one to backup the other, rather than in RAID. Of course, the best solution is to have 2 in RAID 1, and another one for use as the backup drive.

Michael
dmailer's avatar
dmailer
235 posts
 
Michael, your points are well taken. I imagine that I am taking on more risk than going with normal backup. My thoughts were that this is a music only system with no email and minimal internet usage lowering the risk of virus infection. Of course accidently deleting files will have its consequences. I will probably end up getting a 1TB drive to back up as some point.
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
How about using two 500 or 1 TB drives with acronic digital imaging software to not have problem when you replace down drive.Software costs $50 and would be cheaper than NAS with Raid.?
Cheers
Chazz
stan_head OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for all the valuable input. I've been out of the loop for awhile - foreclosure & stuff like that.
Back to Mac Music Server: As a result of your input, my plans are now:
Mac Mini - 2 USB/Firewire HDs - one being used to backup the other.
Using iTunes for music organizer.

I was planning on playing music from the library through the PCI card which up-samples to 96/24 - but this only runs on my dual PPC desktop with a PCI slot. Is there any way to use this PCI card with the Mac Mini - like a PCI chassis that plugs into the Mini?

What are some of the other options of playing 96/24 (and other sample rates [up-sampled]) using the Mini?

At 96 khz sample rates - I would expect the USB jitter to be a problem - what has been your experience when coming out the USB port?
What are the other options of coming off the Mini?
More to discover