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Mac pro rather than NAS as a primary server


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Chris and all....I'd like your opinions on this:

 

I've been using a Buffalo linkstation NAS as my primary music storage location...with all the fantastic "workaround/automounting" solutions recommend by Chris. Basically I use sonos and itunes as my players...

Look, the NAS has been OK, but frequently now it gets lost on my apple network. This has become very annoying.

I'm a big fan of the NAS idea, with the obvious benefits of storing files out of earshot, and I have read the reviews of the Thecus and QNAP.

 

But my "drop out" problem has got me thinking is this really the future way, or should we not be using the MAC pro (with/without the RAID card)?

 

I've found NAS's to require an awful amount of "OFAT" (Obligatory fcuking around time)

 

I can't help but think that using a Mac pro for this purpose would be a lot faster/easier/more apple network friendly and obviously more compatible with itunes. It's also pretty darn quiet.

 

So what does everyone think? And Chris, have you had any networking issues on apples gear with the Thecus and QNAP?

 

AB

 

New simplified setup: STEREO- Primary listening Area: Cullen Circuits Mod ZP90> Benchmark DAC1>RotelRKB250 Power amp>KEF Q Series. Secondary listening areas: 1/ QNAP 119P II(running MinimServer)>UPnP>Linn Majik DSI>Linn Majik 140's. 2/ (Source awaiting)>Invicta DAC>RotelRKB2100 Power amp>Rega's. Tertiary multiroom areas: Same QNAP>SMB>Sonos>Various. MULTICHANNEL- MacMini>A+(Standalone mode)>Exasound e28 >5.1 analog out>Yamaha Avantage Receiver>Pre-outs>Linn Chakra power amps>Linn Katan front and sides. Linn Trikan Centre. Velodyne SPL1000 Ultra

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I've been using a QNAP TS-509 Pro (basically QNAP's 5 bay version - it has a has a faster processor and more RAM than the 4 bay version) as a media server / general storage solution for 5-6 weeks now on a home network with 2 PCs. I recently picked up the new MacBook (aluminum unibody version) and I find the compatibility quite amazing. The MacBook picks up the QNAP every time, has not experienced a random disconnect yet and has good sustained transfer rates with absolutely no tinkering (~30-40 MB / sec write speed in RAID5). The reliability has been quite impressive and there has been virtually no OFAT time.

 

For now, I'm ripping CDs with iTunes on the MacBook directly to the NAS with no problems. The built in iTunes server is a nice addition on the QNAP when I want to pull up music in another room using one of the PCs.

 

My reason for going with the QNAP was to avoid OFAT - that's proven to be the case for now (simple interface that's pretty easy to manipulate). The Mac Pro sounds like a fine option as well - I considered it, but since I travel a lot and use other computers, the flexibility of the MacBook + NAS (probably the same price) was the better option for my needs.

 

MacBook Unibody -> KingRex T20U -> Mark & Daniel Topaz

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Hi AB - I think this is a topic many people will be interested in and there will not be one solution for everyone. My experience with NAS drives in my music server setup has been great. I never touch my Thecus 5200B Pro and it is always available. My current configuration has the Thecus wired to my router and my Mac Pro wired to my router. Everything is gigabit Ethernet and very fast. I love having access from any computer in the house without requiring my Mac Pro to serve the files. Plus, the long term upgrade path and flexibility is much better with a NAS unit. The Mac Pro has three empty SATA drive bays. Fill these up, add an $800 Apple RAID card and your kind of done. My NAS unit can be mirror to another NAS anywhere on the network, it can be expanded via USB, I can easily swap out one drive at a time to upgrade my disks and still take full advantage of the new drive size. I can convert from one RAID type to another etc... NAS is really the way all storage is going. In the not to distant future everyone will have a NAS drive at home. There is no need to store your music, photos, videos etc... on five separate computers and worry about hard drive failures in laptops. One central RAID5 "disk farm" is the way to go.

 

That said, I also look at this just like audio components. If it works good for you then it is good. If internal disk is easier for you or you just like the idea better, then fabulous!

 

Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems AudiophileStyleStickerWhite2.0.png AudiophileStyleStickerWhite7.1.4.png

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I have a sort of mock-NAS.

 

It's a Mac Mini with a 1TB Firewire drive, which is wholly shared.

 

I can make it wake on LAN, so it doesn't have to be on all of the time.

 

It can also be the ripper for your Sonos too. Just tell iTunes to auto-rip any CD that is inserted. Once that's done you don't need a keyboard or mouse!

 

The Mini was £329 (Apple Refurb) and the 1TB Firewire was £100 (Amazon).

 

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Yeh Chris I agree. NAS rules (if they work)...trouble is there are heaps on the market and a lot of trial and error and the customer is never REALLY sure if they are going to be reliable till they are tried and tested on their network. Thats why I am interested in how the Thecus is going. Now if only Apple released a multi raided NAS..........lets call it the Time Capsule RAID.....

 

New simplified setup: STEREO- Primary listening Area: Cullen Circuits Mod ZP90> Benchmark DAC1>RotelRKB250 Power amp>KEF Q Series. Secondary listening areas: 1/ QNAP 119P II(running MinimServer)>UPnP>Linn Majik DSI>Linn Majik 140's. 2/ (Source awaiting)>Invicta DAC>RotelRKB2100 Power amp>Rega's. Tertiary multiroom areas: Same QNAP>SMB>Sonos>Various. MULTICHANNEL- MacMini>A+(Standalone mode)>Exasound e28 >5.1 analog out>Yamaha Avantage Receiver>Pre-outs>Linn Chakra power amps>Linn Katan front and sides. Linn Trikan Centre. Velodyne SPL1000 Ultra

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Chris.

 

I came across this internal enclosure that fits into the 3.5" drive bay of a Mac Pro.

Basically I think you slot 2 x 2.5" drives into the enclosure then slide the lot into the MacPro.

Has a built in chip that mirror RAID's each 2.5" drive. see:

 

www.stardom.com.tw

 

Benefits being, smaller and quieter drives. Also should be cheaper than apple RAID card option.

Might even be able to use solid state drives (though not sure of this)

 

I think this would make an excellent RAIDED music server solution..partic if you already have a MacPro or are sick of NAS's (like me!)

 

Thought you'd be interested....

 

AB

 

 

New simplified setup: STEREO- Primary listening Area: Cullen Circuits Mod ZP90> Benchmark DAC1>RotelRKB250 Power amp>KEF Q Series. Secondary listening areas: 1/ QNAP 119P II(running MinimServer)>UPnP>Linn Majik DSI>Linn Majik 140's. 2/ (Source awaiting)>Invicta DAC>RotelRKB2100 Power amp>Rega's. Tertiary multiroom areas: Same QNAP>SMB>Sonos>Various. MULTICHANNEL- MacMini>A+(Standalone mode)>Exasound e28 >5.1 analog out>Yamaha Avantage Receiver>Pre-outs>Linn Chakra power amps>Linn Katan front and sides. Linn Trikan Centre. Velodyne SPL1000 Ultra

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