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 gsherwood53

Over the last week, I have hooked up a Cullen modded SONOS ZP90 and Bridge, and yesterday added a ReadyNV+ NAS. The DAC ia a Northstar 192 into a Dodd preamp, Pass Aleph J amp, and Merlin TSM-MMe speakers. The NAS holds my 50GB iTunes library, and the system is wireless controlled by my PC or my iTouch.

I have not done a careful A/B test, but on first blush, this system sounds great, as good or better than my MF A5 or Marantz SA11S1 CDP's. As a bonus the SONOS internet radio offers hundreds of world-wide stations with few if any drop-outs. That radio sound is very good (I listen to classical and jazz.)

An important feature for me with the NAS is RAID-5 which pretty much guarantees it will save stored data in a crash. Having the experience of losing stored back-ups years ago, I do not want that to happen again.

I am really impressed by the quality of the sonics and the convenience of the SONOS system. Looks like my CD collection is bound for the attic.

Glenn