SSD Models

[jay...@sbcglobal.net]

I searched around the web site and saw no prices on the SSD models. Only SSD model I saw for sale on Amazon was the 240G unit, is there another batch of 480G models currently being built and if so what is the price? 

 

[RaymondO]

Would SSD make the slightest difference (apart from adding considerably to the cost) as there doesn’t appear to be any benefit to feed speakers from an SSD when a standard HDD is capable of streaming the data faster than the b2 can actually play it. When the cost per stored Mb is factored in, SSD seems an incredibly expensive storage medium!

[jay...@sbcglobal.net]

I'll admit I'm a computer neophyte but I dont plan on using the Brennen to feed any speakers-just a DAC- I just wouldnt buy any new computer device unless it has an SSD, including the Brennen. To me the difference in price is not an issue.     

[Daniel Taylor]

Okay, granted that price is not an issue for you, what is the attraction of SSD over HDD in the case of the B2?

[Daniel Taylor]

I just checked the Brennan.co.uk website.  They have 240GB SSD models available for GBP429.00 and 480 GB ssd models available for GBP489.00.  Today it says "Delivery on or around 19th July."

[jay...@sbcglobal.net]

SSD-No moving parts. Much longer life cycle. More future proof than HDD.   

[Dennis Lefebvre]

Also, totally silent. 

[Stuart Gillies]

Ssd prices are falling all the time. And they are getting smaller. The advantages are a) less power, b) silent. You can start with an hdd and upgrade yourself later when you know how much space you want and costs have fallen. Speed isn't really an advantage as the hdd is fast enough. Reliability is debatable. I have never had an hdd fail but I have had more than one ssd stop working. After I threw away the receipt.  At some point they will stop making hdds.

I still have an IBM PC/XT in the loft with an hdd. 10MB the size of a small shoebox. One day it might be worth something.

[Richard Burford]

I replaced the HDD on my B2 some time ago because the HDD started showing some of the signs that it was failing, an SSD was, from the reliability POV, a simple fix. It was, with a bit of advice from Paul and Martin, a 30 minute DIY on the kitchen table effort. Somewhere on this forum I documented what I needed to do.

I have had several HDDs fail on a variety of different computers over the years, but have never seen an SSD fail.

To me reliability is the main benefit. 

[RaymondO]

To redress the balance somewhat, I have had 4 SSD’s fail in 5 years compared to 1 HDD. Add to this SSDs are well known for having a maximum number of read/write cycles that are considerably less than magnetic platters, we’re having a re-run of the ‘plasma tv’ debacle of yore. Having read the specs and aware that plasma screens were prone to drying out in use (not a problem with LCD) we had a period where individuals were continually singing the praises of plasma displays. I wonder where they all went?

Magnetic recording has been used successfully for for almost 100 years, it’ll see me off, but with SSD not really using any of its benefits to aid the Brennan you have to ask why bother?
Silent? - The played music will drown this out anyway .
Access Speed? - Even a HDD can play out much faster than the b2 can resolve and play
Cost? - Even with falling prices, you get double the storage on HDD - so half the price

There will be some who will want the technology regardless - that’s their choice, but I’m careful with money and see no reason to change until there is a quantifiable benefit, and I’ve not seen any yet!

[Patrick]

SSDs are limited in the number of writes, but not the number of reads.

[Daniel Taylor]

When we talk about the limit on SSD reads, is that reads per memory location or total reads combined?  That's a serious question.  Because it means the difference between being able to play X number of songs vs being able to play just song A that many times.  Quite a big difference.

[Patrick]

Reads don't wear SSDs, just writes.

[Daniel Taylor]

Oops, sorry.  I misread your post.  Since we don't expect to write each album more than once, that should be fine.  :o)