Synology or Qnap for iTunes & Airplay?

[paddyb]

I was just about to purchase a Synology DS115j with the hope that I can use it to stream music to my Marantaz MCR603 via Airplay or possibly just to serve an iTunes library to a PC/tablet to stream. Synology seem popular choices and well supported on these forums. But I’ve now noticed that Qnap NAS also have an Airplay feature.

So I’d like to canvas thoughts on the pro’s & con’s of these two devices (single bay is fine for me) for use:

Synology 115j
QNap TS 112p

Or anything else at around this price point I should consider?

Synology DS115j currently sitting in my Amazon basket...

 

[Xanderzdad]

I chose Synology specifically for their music support. It works really well with their DSMusic app.

I doubt Qnap are quite as good, as Synology constantly update and innovate.

If you do go single bay, then get the biggest (preferably 3Tb) 'Red' HDD you can. The 'Red' ones are designed for NAS usage and mine is almost silent and has been faultless for over 3 years.

Like this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-3-5-inch-Desktop-Hard-Drive/dp/B008JJLW4M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425575772&sr=8-1&keywords=nas+hard+drive

 

[paddyb]

Thanks Xanderzdad

Was going to go for a 4TB WD Red actually, but Amazon haven’t got them in stock and I want it delivered tomorrow so that I’ve got all weekend to play with it.

The difference in price will allow me to go for the DS214se, which I understand is the duel bay version of the DS115j. I can then add more storage at a later date.

This is a single core processor and 256m RAM as opposed to a duel core with 512 in the newer DS215j (how much more confusing can their naming strategy be?!!!) Will I have any problems with the cheaper model using Airplay?

 

[Xanderzdad]

Mines an older model and works fine for music.

But the extra RAM and dual core will probably make it smoother and less stuttery if you ever choose to make it do complex stuff (such as converting movie or music formats on the fly or streaming to multiple places).

The 214se is a much more basic model whereas the 215j is designed for the type of thing you want. For the small price difference I would definitely go for the 215j.

 

[paddyb]

Sold!

I’ll go for the 215j then. Spent more than I planned, but worth it for the peace of mind that comes with having the latest, faster and more future proof model.

 

[bigboss]

Was going to go for a 4TB WD Red actually, but Amazon haven’t got them in stock and I want it delivered tomorrow so that I’ve got all weekend to play with it.

Next day delivery:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/4tb-wd-red-wd40efrx-sata-6gb-sec-64mb-cache-intellipower-rpm-8ms-ncq-oem-24x7-with-nasware-30

Even if it means having to wait, I would too highly recommend WD Red. They're purpose built for NAS and will have a longer life.

 

[paddyb]

Thanks for the the link. I'm an Amazon Prime member, so I can get free next day delivery on most items from there. I went for the 3tb drive and the DS215j, just this minute had an email to say they've been dispatched. A fun weekend of networking awaits!

 

[bigboss]

Thanks for the the link. I'm an Amazon Prime member, so I can get free next day delivery on most items from there. I went for the 3tb drive and the DS215j, just this minute had an email to say they've been dispatched. A fun weekend of networking awaits!

*good*

Even I'm an Amazon Prime member, but bought my WD Red drives from Scan as they had it in stock (when WD Red was newly launched). Delivery is free if you join AV forums.

 

[paddyb]

Delivery is free if you join AV forums.

Didn't know that, and I'm also a member of AV forums (Joined years ago)! Thanks for the heads up, will keep this in mind next time I'm buying tech.