Latest Opinion on the Best NAS Drives
Posted by: nigelb on 11 August 2015
I have been meaning to get a NAS drive for some time now purely as a file backup device for my Unitiserve. The Unitiserve has broken down twice now and I really must get a back up system. It is not a question of if a server will fail terminally, but when.
So I would really appreciate views on the best (simplest, most reliable, best UPnP software) NAS drive as a backup for music files. I know this topic has been covered in the past but many NAS drives have previiosly proved problematic and technology moves on.
Qnap with Asset software or Synology with Minim software. Marginal preference for the former, but both are good. They work without problem, and Naim use them internally I believe, so they know how to support them. Plus lots of forum members use them too.
Either way, get WD Red disks If opting for HDD.
Both QNAP and Synology are putting out good products. I own each, and have no clear preference.
Getting a decent amount of ram, and a decently fast processor, helps. And WD Red drives.
I use Netgear.. In fact I have a couple now. They have not blinked once and I have owned one for five years, very reliable with good support. Would thoroughly recommend them at consumer level., and I believe a few at Naim use them as well if that is anything to go by.
Simon
Another vote for Synology
Plus WD Red HDD
Also have an old WD that I use for back up, that does both the NAS & family PC's0.
I've just bought a QNAP TS-451s for my NDX complete with two SSD drives. Possibly overkill for just music streaming but it's a) quiet as a mouse b) easy to set up, register and use the software and c) is reasonably future proof as my RIPs and downloads grow (its a 4-Bay NAS). I also have the peace of mind of mirroring my main disk in case of failure. I really don't fancy re-ripping all those CDs again.
I've just bought a QNAP TS-451s for my NDX complete with two SSD drives. Possibly overkill for just music streaming but it's a) quiet as a mouse b) easy to set up, register and use the software and c) is reasonably future proof as my RIPs and downloads grow (its a 4-Bay NAS). I also have the peace of mind of mirroring my main disk in case of failure. I really don't fancy re-ripping all those CDs again.
Mirroring is fine if one disk fails, you can be back up again quickly. It does not obviate the need for a backup though.
Another vote for qnap but do maximise RAM.
SJB
Tried Netgear ReadyNAS Duo but found it very difficult to get on with, although I don't have S-in-S's IT abilities...
+1 for QNAP and WD Red disks. Faultless operation over several years.
Another one for Synology/Minimserver with WD Red HDDs.
QNAP have been reliable for me, ReadyNAS have not. Both Asset or Minimserver will run well on QYNAP. it is worth taking into account the need to back up the mirrored drive array and store it elsewhere. I put mine on a remote NAS and plug in USB HDDs stored in another building.
So from my experience, I'd recommend checking the support & build quality before spending any hard earned cash.
I agree with this. Also check their forum sites to see what has been happening and how responsive they are.
In terms of support I have found with my experiences Netgear ReadyNAS at the top, Drobo at the bottom - but clearly others' experiences may vary.
However I firmly believe it is best to leave the NAS to network file duties and not loading it with apps to act as a mini server.. sometimes simplicity breeds reliability.
Simon
I had a QNAP for ages. It never went wrong but then they stopped supporting my model with upgrades. I only used it for backups anyway, it was too cranky to use for anything else and the instructions were appalling. I recently bought a Buffalo, again for backup, & that works fine but I don't think it's too friendly to use. I also bought a QNAP HS251 that I fitted with a couple of 3 TB Red drives to use as additional backup, to stream ripped movies at home & over the internet, and originally to stream music to my Muso. Much friendlier, generally works well but it sometimes goes to sleep & won't wake up. I don't know why.
I now use Asset on my iMac with attached WD 6TB HD to stream to my Muso. always works, no problems.
Firstly thank you to all who have replied - it is very helpful. I clearly need to do some thinking and some research.
Chris - yes I primarily need the NAS as file back up device but if my Unitiserve konks out (a technical term) again I might be tempted to ditch it and use the NAS as a server. I thought you simply installed appropriate software on to the NAS and it would function as a server. I realise I won't necessarily be able to rip CD's (one of the main reasons for getting the Unitserve originally) but I have little need to rip CD's now as I download most of my music these days. I am using an NDX as my streamer (or renderer I think the correct term is). Are my assumptions here correct? If not please advise what I need to use a NAS as a server.
Does anyone have any experience of, or opinion on the kSTOR silent and fanless NAS (available from ripcaster)? It comes pre-configured with Asset UPnP and Kazoo Server.
Does anyone have any experience of, or opinion on the kSTOR silent and fanless NAS (available from ripcaster)? It comes pre-configured with Asset UPnP and Kazoo Server.
1.5TB maximum is not enough, especially if you store 24 bit, & at close to £2000, its not competitive and/or it is targeted at the audiophool sector.
Ripcaster are a pretty good company though - I got my Assetnas from them which also comes with Asset installed and which is pretty configurable given that it is a windows server.
Got me thinking as to whether my 'future NAS' and not the current Synology HDD based NAS should be SSD and whether it should still Raided. 1TB SSD drive can be bought for about £250 and Is well worth considering in any NAS configuration. The potential problem is whether it needs to be mirrored or raided like disk drives. However, it does appear that the latest SSDs can almost literally last a lifetime, although controllers and housing cabinets might not be so resilient. Anyway, I found the following quite interesting,.
Tried Netgear ReadyNAS Duo but found it very difficult to get on with, although I don't have S-in-S's IT abilities...
The way Synology model numbers work, a 212 is a 2-bay model (the first 2) and the 12 refers to it being a 2012 model. I have a 212J, and it's painfully slow. The current 2-bay SOHO model, the 214, is a bit more powerful and has 512meg ram which would help.
Got me thinking as to whether my 'future NAS' and not the current Synology HDD based NAS should be SSD and whether it should still Raided. 1TB SSD drive can be bought for about £250 and Is well worth considering in any NAS configuration. The potential problem is whether it needs to be mirrored or raided like disk drives. However, it does appear that the latest SSDs can almost literally last a lifetime, although controllers and housing cabinets might not be so resilient. Anyway, I found the following quite interesting,.
The price:capacity ratio for SSD's still doesn't work for me for nas use. I really need 3tb; I have almost 2tb stored and want room to expand.
My fanless QNAP with WD Red drives is VERY quiet. I don't need it to be totally silent, nor do I need any extra performance than an ssd might provide over the drives in them now. So I'm not ready to jump to ssd for my home nas.
I has a Samsung SSD USB drive which packed up after about 18 months and an HDX-SSD which broke down with a corrupted drive.
Firstly thank you to all who have replied - it is very helpful. I clearly need to do some thinking and some research.
Chris - yes I primarily need the NAS as file back up device but if my Unitiserve konks out (a technical term) again I might be tempted to ditch it and use the NAS as a server. I thought you simply installed appropriate software on to the NAS and it would function as a server. I realise I won't necessarily be able to rip CD's (one of the main reasons for getting the Unitserve originally) but I have little need to rip CD's now as I download most of my music these days. I am using an NDX as my streamer (or renderer I think the correct term is). Are my assumptions here correct? If not please advise what I need to use a NAS as a server.
Nigel, this is how I got started too. I bought a UnitiServe, and then realized I need a nas to back it up. Once I figured out how to get the backups working (the hardest part), I slowly figured out how to get various UPnP servers running on it, and how to use it as a server itself w/o the UnitiServe. When the uServe was out for a repair, I still could serve up my music. And like you, I RARELY rip a cd now-a-days.
I think you're on the right track with wanting a nas that will double as a good music server. The current Synology and QNAP soho nas's will do this. I would stay away from the very bottom of the product lines however, as some extra processor power and ram (512meg is probably enough; 1 gig is probably better) will make it all that more responsive.
If you are using NDX I suggest you try it with a software based uPnP server like Minim or Asset running on whatever NAS you get. It is likely to make the US seem unreasonably expensive and it might sound better. This was how we came to part with our HDX.
Firstly thank you to all who have replied - it is very helpful. I clearly need to do some thinking and some research.
Chris - yes I primarily need the NAS as file back up device but if my Unitiserve konks out (a technical term) again I might be tempted to ditch it and use the NAS as a server. I thought you simply installed appropriate software on to the NAS and it would function as a server. I realise I won't necessarily be able to rip CD's (one of the main reasons for getting the Unitserve originally) but I have little need to rip CD's now as I download most of my music these days. I am using an NDX as my streamer (or renderer I think the correct term is). Are my assumptions here correct? If not please advise what I need to use a NAS as a server.
Nigel, this is how I got started too. I bought a UnitiServe, and then realized I need a nas to back it up. Once I figured out how to get the backups working (the hardest part), I slowly figured out how to get various UPnP servers running on it, and how to use it as a server itself w/o the UnitiServe. When the uServe was out for a repair, I still could serve up my music. And like you, I RARELY rip a cd now-a-days.
I think you're on the right track with wanting a nas that will double as a good music server. The current Synology and QNAP soho nas's will do this. I would stay away from the very bottom of the product lines however, as some extra processor power and ram (512meg is probably enough; 1 gig is probably better) will make it all that more responsive.
Bart - thanks for this, very helpful. May I ask which UPnP server software packages you found to be the most simple/reliable when installed on a NAS to allow it to function as a server and which make of NAS (Synology or QNAP) this software works best with if you have this detail? Excuse my ignorance but what does soho stand for?
Sorry to bug you but you seem to have already gone down the path I will be treading and it is not possible to try NAS's before you buy as far as I am aware.
Cheers
Nigel
I has a Samsung SSD USB drive which packed up after about 18 months and an HDX-SSD which broke down with a corrupted drive.
Yep, I think it mentioned in the article I linked that earlier SSDs are orders of magnitude less reliable than today. I also had a very nasty experience with a NAS, not sure what make, a number of years ago whereby my PC got corrupted and I thought my NAS would solve my problems only to discover that the cabinet of the NAS itself had failed and no feasible way of getting the Raided disks back. Nothing is perfect but if the the lifespan of an SSD, measured in petabytes of writes,. is potentially hugely more reliable than any HDD alternative then that might be the way to go. Belt and braces, of course, would be 2 separate units.