Digital streaming. It’s fast, it’s convenient and – thanks to today’s hi-fi being as advanced as it is – it’s now possible to achieve incredible sound quality, even with compressed audio files. But when it comes to storage of those files, naturally there may be concerns.
Despite how far we’ve come, computers are susceptible to all manner of nastiness. Viruses, malware, spyware – even a PC fortified to the level of Fort Knox is still vulnerable to file corruption. And anyone who has spent any amount of time painstakingly ripping their CD collection onto a hard drive and supplementing their archives with downloads, only to have a problem with their hard drive, will know how frustrating and upsetting that is. And even if you’re lucky enough to steer clear of the plethora of threats and viruses – there is still the fact that your PC needs to be switched on in order to access the files. And then there’s the regular back ups, and the crashing, and everything else that comes with it. It’s just a hassle. And pretty much the entire point of storing your files digitally is to elimate the hassle – am I correct? Well, thankfully, there’s a solution.
The only way to ensure that your precious audio files are completely safe is to store them separately from your PC, so you can happily stream whenever you chose to do so. A dedicated storage solution is the strongest alternative, both in terms of safety and convenience – as well as boasting several other key benefits. They are usually designed principally to store music, therefore they are optimised for this purpose, without interferences from other processes and/or from lesser quality interfaces that may exist in a PC which isn’t dedicated to music storage. And let’s face it – very few PCs are used for that alone. If your music collection is important to you, and you value good sound quality, don;’t take the risk – keep your files stored safely on one of the following storage devices – or one like them. It will be a step you’ll be glad you’ve taken. For a number of reasons.
Remember, the prices stated were correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.
1. Zoneripper Mini (Single HD) NAS Drive – £795
First up, we have the very to-the-point Zoneripper Mini. This impressive little unit comes in a 100% aluminim case and can offer either 500BG or 1TB of storage. If that’s not quite enough, there’s also a dual hard drive version available, which can offer up to 4TB. That’s a lot of storage. And you’ll need it – the Zone Ripper Mini allows for fast, automated CD ripping. And once that information is stored, you’ll never need to take that CD out of its case again. Squeezebox software comes pre-installed, which means it will also function as a high-quality server – attaching itself to your PC or Mac (it likes both) and is designed to work seamlessly alongside Sonos (but not exclusively) to offer an effective ‘audio hub’ solution.
Why do we like it?
It looks fantastic – especially when paired with Sonos – and works as well as it looks. The sound quality is pretty excellent too! If you want to stick with Zoneripper, but want something a little higher-end, the Zoneripper Max comes with our full recommendation too. Its rips are of a slightly higher quality, and you can add extra storage in the future without the purchase of a whole new device.
2. Cocktail Audio X30 All-In-One Hi-Fi System – £849
It’s a little bit of a cheat mentioning Cocktail’s X30 as it’s serves as a fully amplified streaming system – but it has full CD ripping and network server functions. As all-in-one systems go, this one takes it to the next level. All you really will need is speakers (and, of course, a collection to store) for this baby to shine. And despite the excess of functions, it is surprisingly easy to use. It also comes with an Fm tuner, internet streaming services and pretty much everything you can think of built-in. A fantastic value hub that far exceeds any gimmicky expectations. There are several storage options to chose from too – so the sky is very much the limit. It will even play your CDs directly.
Why do we like it?
It’s the ultimate all-in-one box device, fantastic for anyone who doesn’t have an existing system. And considering everything that’s included, it’s impeccable value for money. A truly unique product that we can’t help but love.
Why do they like it?
‘The sheer versatility of the X30 is impressive and clearly its biggest attraction. Nothing else we’ve reviewed so far has come close to the combination of amp, streamer and server here offered by Cocktail Audio.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
3. NAD M52 Digital Music Vault- £1699 (EXCLUSIVE PRICE)
We’ll have to keep this very brief: this device normally retails at £2199, but due to the fact that we have one left in stock we’re offering it up with a massive 20% discount. And when you find out what this device is capable of – you’ll know how much of a big deal that is. Encased in a steel case the Redundant Array of Independent Discs (RAID 5) technology which makes it virtually impossible to damage your music collection. In basic terms, even when a disc drive fails, there is no loss in data in this self-healing system. Simply replace the drive and the system automatically reconfigures itself. On top of that extraordinary level of protection, the quality of the rips are spectacular. A wise choice for anyone who truly loves their collection.
Why do we like it?
It’s a stunning example, in every way. And we would feel confident in using it with even the rarest of CDs. A fantastic way of ensuring they are protected forever. If you would really like one of these, but the price tag is still too steep, we also have a B Grade unit in stock too, at a further £200 reduction. Seriously, what are you waiting for?
Why do they like it?
‘Yes, the M52 is more expensive than a home-brewed solution [..] but it’s completely quiet, and, most important, its RAID 5 array guarantees that a hard-drive failure will not mean losing your music library.’ (Stereophile)
4. Naim UnitiServe Hard Disk Player / Server – £2290
Because it isn’t an AA high-end list without some mention of Naim. The Uniti Serve is a hugely popular device which serves as both a audiophile grade ripper a server and blends beautifully with Naim-heavy systems. It is essentially a scaled-down version of the acclaimed HDX – and is a very close match. It takes a massive internal hard disk drive, Naim bit-perfect ripping, an Ethernet connection, a UPnPTM server, StreamNet technology and local digital outputs, blended beautifully with some very user-friendly features which make it perfect for home use, this is a small box with a lot of power and potential. It is available with a solid state hard drive too, if you intend to store your music exclusively,
Why do we like it?
It is easy to use, it’s reliable and the sound quality is perfect CD quality – if not improved.
Why do they like it?
‘If one is committed to the highest levels of digital audio playback in its many guises, Naim’s outstanding work in these realms must be on your short list of component choices.’ (TheAbsoluteSound)
5. Naim HDX-SSD Hard Disk Player / Server – £5300
Enter the big boy. This is the beast that inspired the excellent UnitiServe – it may be a little pricey, but it’s definitely worth the spend. A Naim-quality music player first and foremost, the HDX prioritises exceptional sound quality above everything else. But that doesn’t mean its other functions lose out: When a CD is inserted in the HDX-SSD disc drawer it is read repeatedly until a bit-perfect CD-quality copy of the audio is obtained. The HDX-SSD automatically catalogues your CDs at artist, album and track level, enabling the simplest search and selection when you come to play your music, which is played with an uncompromised sound quality indistinguishable from the source. It can be controlled with a range of interfaces, including a full colour screen, a remote control (included), your PC and even your mobile phone. The ultimate NAS device, and the ultimate security for any music lover.
Why do we like it?
It is arguably the finest example of digital audio storage to date. The quality is simply stunning. If you’re drooling over adding this to your hi-fi, but the price is a little daunting, don’t forget we offer 0% finance, which on this unit starts from a 10% deposit of only £530 with monthly repayments as low as £135.50 over 36 months. It’s very possible.
Why do (TechRadar)
The move to a hi-end digital storage device isn’t one many audiophiles consider, while is surprising as it should be more imperative to them than anyone else. But this is why we’re spreading the message: safe storage is not only convenient, it can help you preserve your files for many (many) years, as well as allowing for them to be easily accessed for streaming. It’s not the cheapest solution, but we’d argue it’s the most effective.