To have a media server or not? Let's weigh the issues.

I have to admit I was skeptical when digital media servers first became available. The idea of compressing my large CD collection into something that would play my music with less fidelity than it was recorded in -- for the tradeoff of easy access and space savings -- was not a bargain I was prepared to make. Goodness knows I needed a media server, but there was nothing large enough or with the fidelity to really grab me.

My objections have been alleviated with the latest crop of high-end media servers, such as the Niveus Media Center, MediaMax by Axonix, and Kaleidescape. This latest generation of servers will hold both your DVDs and CDs, as well as photographs, MP3 files, home videos and whatever digital media you can come up with -- without compromising the quality of the music or video. They come with large enough hard drives to store thousands of discs, and use high-end audio techniques. This is music to my audiophile ears.

My epiphany came this summer when I had to organize music for my wife's birthday party. Sifting through thousands of CDs for just that right song from her list of favorites was really cumbersome. These new media servers not only have elegant graphical interfaces that would have helped me find any file within seconds, they also let me save as many lists of favorites as I want.

Because these uber-servers also dock right into your home computer network, you can watch or listen to various digital streams in different rooms or the same source in all rooms. The nice part is that these companies have taken the time to design in all the necessary digital rights management and copy guard protections required by Hollywood.

Some of these new server schemes, such as Niveus Media, use the Microsoft Media PC platform as a backbone and enlist inexpensive computer peripherals to route the signals around the house. This server looks nothing like a PC, but delivers tremendous value and performance. The Kaleidescape system is the most fetching in its design and graphical user interface; I swear I was looking at the next generation operating system from Apple when viewing it.

If media servers are really to take their place in today's audio/video component system, they'll need to offer more functionality. For instance, I still can't store my growing collection of DVD-Audio (DVD-A) and Super Audio CDs (SACDs) in one of these servers.

Having a really elegant digital file management system is certainly where it's at. Whether you prefer the Windows PC look and feel or a stand-alone interface is something you need to decide for yourself. The new world of media servers is like looking out at the ocean for the first time in your life: It's vast and exciting, but also a little scary. Good listening!

John Caldwell is the co-founder of the StJohn Group, www.stjohngroup.com

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