[samujohn]

I just purchased and set up a new MacMini with 8G memory, an SSD, and Pure Music software. I am asking if an external drive storing the music matters at all (other than size- no problem at the moment), and if it does why? Next, does it matter whether the external has it own power supply. My 3.5 external makes a lot of mechanical noise, while my 2.5 USB powered drive is very quiet. 

[InfernoSTi]

I use a 2.5" Oyen FW800 drive that made a good difference.  Take a look at these references:

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/search/node/Oyen

Best,
John

[R-A-W]

Could this Make any difference when playing in memory playback mode (sound quality)?

Roger

[Mr645]

Generally 3.5 " drives are cheaper, faster and come in larger capacities.  Firewire 800 will be much faster then USB, and then there is Thunderbolt, which is much faster, although it's still new, so drives on the market so far are expensive and not really taking advantage of the potential speed yet.  Noise, well there are virtually silent options in both sizes, although yes, 2.5" drives are typically quieter then 3.5" models.  Check out these options.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/external/elite-al-pro-quad

[PSP]

For a deeper look into some of the factors that could influence your choice of external HDD, you might be interested in this current thread on The Discless Circle.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103391.0

Peter

[jMelvin]

I use the same Oyen drive that InfernoSTi uses. According to some, if you're planning on using a usb dac it's a good idea to use a firewire storage drive instead of a usb drive.

[skunark]

For a deeper look into some of the factors that could influence your choice of external HDD, you might be interested in this current thread on The Discless Circle.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103391.0

Peter

Nope, just reads too much like an advertisement for me to draw interest.    Funny thing about isolation and noise, it's measurable, so a few scope probes at the input, usb, and output of DAC would make it a better sales pitch assuming it shows how the isolation cleans up the noise and improves the jitter.  Most folks with USB DACs want hi-rez audio, which full-speed doesn't provide the bandwidth.

[PSP]

Hi skumnark,
don't worry about it... if it's not interesting to you (not to mention exciting!) then just stick to your knitting.

Over the last ~10 years I've read (and studied) many dozens of posts by the thread's OP and have found him to be a restless, adventuresome and ruthless seeker of musical truth (definitely not a shill or fanboy). I have found it worthwhile to follow his work (and apply it in my system when the necessary time, skill, and money converge on my workbench).

Life is choices, and deciding which few people to follow (in any given pursuit) is one of those critical choices. 

Measurement, logic, science are all tools.  You use a tool when it may possibly address the problem at hand, but each of these tools is currently imperfect or incomplete.  Many more people listen to music than have SOTA measurement, logic, or science capability (or interest), and I have chosen to consider the experiences of those who listen.  Some of that experiential "data" is crazyness, but much of it will--I think--stand the test of time as we learn more.  It's work to maintain an open mind, but for me it's been well worth the effort.

I wish you well.  May the music in your house be most excellent,
Peter

[skunark]

Hi skumnark,
don't worry about it... if it's not interesting to you (not to mention exciting!) then just stick to your knitting.

Over the last ~10 years I've read (and studied) many dozens of posts by the thread's OP and have found him to be a restless, adventuresome and ruthless seeker of musical truth (definitely not a shill or fanboy). I have found it worthwhile to follow his work (and apply it in my system when the necessary time, skill, and money converge on my workbench).

Life is choices, and deciding which few people to follow (in any given pursuit) is one of those critical choices. 

Measurement, logic, science are all tools.  You use a tool when it may possibly address the problem at hand, but each of these tools is currently imperfect or incomplete.  Many more people listen to music than have SOTA measurement, logic, or science capability (or interest), and I have chosen to consider the experiences of those who listen.  Some of that experiential "data" is crazyness, but much of it will--I think--stand the test of time as we learn more.  It's work to maintain an open mind, but for me it's been well worth the effort.

I wish you well.  May the music in your house be most excellent,
Peter

PSP Gameboy,

That device isn't even isolated as claimed even with the mod.   The ground is connected between the host and target.   

[PSP]

Well, when I inserted the Olimex between Mac mini and the ExtHD (that contains my iTunes library) I heard a very noticible reduction in glare and grunge (my USB source went from sounding bright and shouty to sounding quite close to my main source, an ethernet-connected SB Touch with modded linear power supply, that sounds REALLY good).  I am still surprised by how big the effect was... it could be that my ExtHD (a ~6 year old Seagate) is especially noisy, but I don't have a newer sufficiently large HD available for testing by direct comparisson.

IME, starting with an open mind and judicially applying critical thinking when appropriate will get us a lot further addressing hard problems than beginning in a critical frame of mind.

My final word on this is that keeping an open mind and trying stuff (that I had the time, money, and interest to try) has over the years led to music in my house that's so good that I find it very hard to be crabby about anything.  I hope you (and all of us) get there someday too.

Peter

[skunark]

Does he sell those devices?  Perhaps that thread needs to moved to the industry ads section?   

[PSP]

Bought it at Mouser. Enjoy your day.