2. pc-audio
  3. 1222011822

USB drive vs NAS for storage/streaming/back-up

Is there any sonic benefit for a NAS over a USB drive for storage and streaming? I'm using a 1TB USB drive for streaming FLAC files through a Sonos (Cullen modified) to a DAC. Sounds good. I was planning on getting a NAS, but I could just as easily get another USB drive and back up maunually when needed, not a big deal. USB drive is quiet, easy to use and situate, seems to work well. Why go NAS? Ethernet benefits? Sonics? Thanks for any input.
joc3021

Showing 1 response by thsalmon

thsalmon
348 posts
 
Joc,

I am am also using a Cullen modified Sonos ZP-80. I use a Buffalo Teraserver NAS drive, attached to my half wired/half wireless network. Like Stevenstone said, your PC does not have to remain on with an NAS device, only the hub or switch needs to remain powered up. Some of my Sonos units are hardwired and others are not. I've not been able to tell a sonic diference between the wired and wireless connections. The Teraserver is RAID 5 configured right out of the box, so the data recording is already redundant, not really requiring any other backup.
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