Abstract: A computer system has a host computer and a mass storage peripheral device. The peripheral device is of the type having a computer readable medium, a sensor for detecting information on the medium, and a data amplifier for amplifying the information detected on the medium to produce an amplified data signal. An interface is provided between the mass storage peripheral device and the host computer. The computer system electronics is located wherein at least a controller circuit for the mass storage peripheral device is located in the host computer for receiving the information detected on the medium. The peripheral device may be, for example, a disk drive assembly, a hard disk drive assembly, a CD-ROM disk drive assembly, a DVD disk drive assembly, a floppy disk drive assembly, a high capacity floppy disk drive assembly, a miniature storage device, or the like.