QNAP TS-251+ vs MacBook Pro -- flash drive ok?

Roon Software Discussion QNAP/Synology NAS
1

I have a QNAP TS-251+ with 8GB of RAM. The NAS uses a 4-core 2.0GHz Celeron proc and is only 2-bays. But… I have a relatively small library 0f ~11,000 files (Roon DB = ~1GB) and play more from Tidal than the local files these days. Anxiously awaiting the release of Roon for my PS Audio Directstream DAC and stream via the Roon-ready device.

Question - I can buy a 32GB USB 3 flash drive to use for the Roon DB for about $40 and give it a try, but wanted a sanity check before getting into it. Am I nuts, or is it reasonable to think it will work and perform OK?

My other option is to just leave Roon on my MBP…

Thanks for any opinions.

2

Your MBP will do way better at Roon than your TS-251+ – unless you must, you shouldn’t bother with that QNAP.

3

Danny - thanks for the quick response and saving me an afternoon :slight_smile:

4

That said, flash drives tend to be very slow compared to SSDs.

For example, this very fast flash drive:

is less than half the speed of an older generation SSD:

for price difference equivalent of a modest dinner for 1 person.

The same size and much faster flash drive is still half the speed of the above SSD, at the price difference of a large coffee at Starbucks. https://smile.amazon.com/SanDisk-Extreme-128GB-Speeds-SDCZ88-128G-G46/dp/B00HR7FWUC

Here is one that looks fast (but not as fast), is USB, and is cheaper than the bigger flash drive above:

5

Tim,
Despite danny’s discouragement, I have a 251+ with 8gb just like you and Roon Server is running just fine. There’s no lag at all as I tested it out today. I use a little optimized NUC on the network as an endpoint, and into my Yggy there is zero difference in sound between using the QNAP 251+ running the core as my i7-6700 spruced up (now) paperweight. My experience is exactly the same tonight as it was last night, except now I have one less computer turned on in the house.

I used a 64GB Samnsung Fit in the USB 3.0 slot on the back for the database (which is also not as fast as the one danny linked) and it’s also doing fine.

6

how big is your library?

7

922 albums

I could see a massive library causing too much work for the NAS, but working well so far for me. Zero stutterings or dropouts with music and the interface and searching are responsive.

8

Yah, fine library size for that setup. It might not be in a year or two as we grow the demands … more metadata, more relationships, etc…