A multi-channel information item selection apparatus for outputting selected items when requested, has a plurality of frequently-requested information items, such as items of music, moving or still pictures, etc., stored in a first storage apparatus having a relatively high read-out speed, and a plurality of less frequently requested items stored in a second storage apparatus having a relatively low read-out speed, e.g. an appropriate speed for subsequent audio or video reproduction processing of the items. Items that are read out from the first storage apparatus are temporarily loaded into regions of a buffer memory at high speed and thereafter read out at the lower speed via a switch circuit to the respective requesting locations, so that a plurality of frequently-requested items can be simultaneously read out in parallel from the buffer memory. Items read out from the second storage apparatus are transferred directly through the switch circuit to the requesting locations. Efficiency of overall operation with low amounts of delay in responding to requests can thereby be achieved, by using a relatively low-capacity high-speed storage apparatus in combination with a relatively high-capacity low-speed storage apparatus.