[DigitallyChallenged]

I'm leaning towards a mac mini based server. I will need an external cd drive. Is there an advantage to a firewire 400 drive vs the apple's usb 2.0 for music ripping?

[dc2l]

I have a Mac Mini based music server and use the built in drive to rip music (just make sure error correction is on). Is there a particular reason you need an external drive in addition to the built in drive?

[DigitallyChallenged]

I am planning on the "mac mini server" that has 2 hard drives and no optical drive. I started reading the manual and the firewire is 800 only so the lacie is out.

[dc2l]

Looks like a nice machine. FireWire 800 is backward compatible with Firewire 400. You just need to make sure you have the right adaptor / cables to make the connection (an adaptor might even come with your external device). One nice feature of Firewire is the ability to daisy chain devices. For example, I have two external Firewire based hard drives (one for music and the other for Time Capsule backups) connected in sequence off the same Firewire port. In the end, either port (USB or Firewire) will support external ripping.

[DigitallyChallenged]

Any other opinions?

[dc2l]

Do you have another Mac with an internal drive that could be used to rip your music (using the server for storage and playback)? You could also consider a Mac mini with an internal cd drive and use an external FireWire-based or USB-based hard drive for a second drive if that is a requirement for you.

If you are interested in comparing USB 2.0 versus Firewire 400, see this note:


http://www.usb-ware.com/firewire-vs-usb.htm