Local network HiRes storage and player

@tutonunez 

:Please, could you go deeper into the differences you find among NVMe SSD’s?

I have a QNAP NAS setup with mostly FLAC files for my CD library.  I am using an Esoteric streamer/app that integrates seamlessly with the NAS for cover art, sorting, searches.  For me a NAS made sense because I also use it for other purposes such as large volume photo storage, computer/phone backups, etc.  If one goes this route I suggest upgrading the NAS power supply and using a good quality switch for critical listening.  I have a fairly large CD collection but in reality, wind up steaming the majority of time from Tidal or Qobuz with no discernable difference from ripped files. If I didn’t have other storage requirements and still wanted local CD files I would use a streamer with onboard storage and not bother with the NAS. 

All of my FLAC files from my personal library (7,946 full albums and over 100,000 tracks) are stored on a Synology NAS.  The NAS has two drives so all files are duplicated for backup.  I also backup that NAS to a cloud service and also keep another hard copy on an external drive which is stored offsite.

I stream to my stereo via Roon (which requires a PC to be running which I have, or, Roon Server can run on the Synology) or JRiver if using my computer.  If I want to just stream directly to the stereo I can use the Yamaha's internal interface, which is poor, or I use my WiiM interface which is much better.  The Synology has music server software that runs on it and serves up the music to the interface.  Was not hard at all to set up and the results are quite good.  

FWIW I think that music from my local library or from the local CD player sounds better than the streamed versions, so I tend to play from my local library most of the time (which differs from what some here say they do).

My choice has also been Synology NAS. My issue with integrated storage with streamer is the possibility of higher noise floor in the streamer. Hard drives produce high levels of EMI and require processor resources, both can result in higher noise floor, masking of low level details. As for the need for local file storage, it may indeed be superfluous. While my cd rips provided superior sound quality to streams via Tidal/Qobuz via Roon initially, over time my streams absolutely equal my cd rips for sound quality, at this point really have no need for local storage.   

@corente

I used to have my entire library on an SSD, but one lazy day, I decided to add some FLAC files that were on my NVMe M2 (Windows 11) to the MinimServer and surprise, they sounded better. Since that NVMe was with the W11, I decided to buy another one to store my music exclusively (my motherboard has 2 NVMe slots) and I bought a 1 TB WD Black, but bad news, it didn't sound as good as the one the W11 had. I then thought it could be because it was on the W11 disk, I cloned the disk, but the WD Black definitely didn't sound like the previous NVMe, which I could prove because my motherboard has 2 slots. I had another NVMe drive with less capacity (WD Green), and it didn't sound as good as the original either. So, as a true audiophile, I couldn't just sit back and settle... so I looked for the exact same original NVMe drive, but with a larger capacity, and BINGO, it was clearly the best. Here it is for you to buy: Western Digital Blue SN550 NVMe SSD 1TB (WDS100T2B0C)
The difference was in transparency and tonality. I don't know the cause, but I trust my ears.
I hope it helps.
Best regards!!