[ZLS]

 aa  Gentlemen,

    I feel the time has come for me to upgrade my Mac/Music Server system.  I am currently using a Macbook with an 1.5 TB outboard HD attached via 400 Fire Wire cable running through a Custom DAC.   
    I am playing with the idea of getting a 27" iMac with 2 TB internal HD.   
    This is my reasoning:
1. I can forgo external HDs (except for backup) and all the wires. cords and additional outlets needed that come with it.  This would hopefully improve the sound, but please correct me if I am wrong in this assumption. 
2. I can rip my newly acquired CDs without having to move my Macbook and OHD to my desk so I can see what I am doing. 
3. I can actually see what music I am playing (age does take its toll on your eyes).  This is especially helpful as it would encourage me to play new music, rather than the same three cuts from the same three CDs! 
4. I can when the cable signal inevitably fails, tell the cable company to KMA and watch HD programming. 

    I welcome any and all input that would help guide me in my purchasing decision.  Technical. practical. personal experience bring it on. 

                                                            I Thank You

[oneinthepipe]

There were other threads on The Apple Core that collectively recommended dedicated firewire HDs for music storage rather than internal HDs.

USB v. firewire http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=63484.0

I can't find the other thread that discussed the benefits of external drives.

BTW, those 27" iMacs look very nice, and I would like to replace my 3 year old 20" iMac.  If you buy the 27", please post about your experience.

[JohnR]

If you buy the 27", please post about your experience.

I've got one (i7), I love it and for photographic work it is amazing however for normal computer use the 21.5" is actually easier to use.

[oneinthepipe]

I've got one (i7), I love it and for photographic work it is amazing however for normal computer use the 21.5" is actually easier to use.

Is the screen is too large to view the entire screen, like sitting too close to a large TV or movie theatre screen?  I thought that the 27" screen might be good for gaming  (I only play one game, really    ).

[srb]

For maximum performance, speed and glitch-free audio and video recording and playback, it is always better to have one hard drive for the operating system and programs and another separate drive for data streaming.  This relieves the drive heads from excessive seeking that would be required with one single drive.
 
As the iMac has space for only one internal drive, the second drive must be external.
 
Steve

[JohnR]

Is the screen is too large to view the entire screen, like sitting too close to a large TV or movie theatre screen?  I thought that the 27" screen might be good for gaming  (I only play one game, really    ).

It's not about viewing the screen but more that there's a lot of space to find/move stuff around in. For example it's a looong way to the menu bar... you wouldn't think they would feel so different but they do. Perhaps it's because with the 21.5 I can move the mouse all around most of the screen with my fingers only (and still retain fine control) but I can't do that with the 27, I have to actually move my hand. (just experimenting here to figure out why they feel so different). By "normal computer use" for me means writing or programming with a few windows open in two or three different applications that I need to flip between. With Alt-Tab and the smaller screen it's just easier - hard to explain. This would be very much a YMMV thing though...

I'm not a gamer but for gaming I imagine the 27 would be awesome.

[Crimson]

For maximum performance, speed and glitch-free audio and video recording and playback, it is always better to have one hard drive for the operating system and programs and another separate drive for data streaming.  This relieves the drive heads from excessive seeking that would be required with one single drive.
 
As the iMac has space for only one internal drive, the second drive must be external.
 
Steve

I agree. I'd also add a second external for backup.

[ZLS]

    so, if I am getting this this right, a Mac Mini dedicated solely to music using my flat screen as the viewing device with an outboard HD + a backup. 

    Two questions:

1. What is the Mac Mini that is the most appropriate for music playback?
2. For outboard HD does http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/usb/raid_1/Gmax work? 

                                          Thanks for all the input. 

[Crimson]

Sure, that works but I wouldn't worry about RAID for a home music server. Rather two of these Mercury Elite terrabyte firewire drives for the same price.

EDIT: And I thought we were talking iMacs, not Minis. IMO, a nice new iMac and two externals would make a very nice music server.

[ZLS]

"EDIT: And I thought we were talking iMacs, not Minis. IMO, a nice new iMac and two externals would make a very nice music server."

     You twisted my arm!  A 27" with 2 1.5 TB outboard HDs it is. 

                                                Thanks J.