Replacement home NAS for music streaming, data storing.

[Enquiries]

Hello Mr & Mrs NASCompares,

I have a 12 year old Buffalo Terrastion NAS with 4 x 2TB loud, clunky, spinny drives but two have failed and it was really slow to write to.

Thinking of a new, simple replacement NAS for:
- data storing from windows laptops connected to my home n/w
- streaming music (.wav) files to my hi-fi streamer pre-amp. The Buffalo NAS had the DNLA server option switched on.

I like the look of the LINCSTATION N2 or that very pretty green CWWK X86-P6 with 2 x 4TB SSD drvies inserted
but how hard are these to set up with the Unraid(?) stuff you talk about and can they be easily seen by Windows devices and my Hi-Fi that uses DNLA?

(I know I'm a bit dim these days but a few years ago I was in IT configuring Cisco n/w switches, PCs, etc so happy to go through a bit of a learning curve if it gets an easy and simple result)

Thanks for your help (free help? really? that's fantastic chaps)

Gordon

[ed]

Thanks for your message, and no worries, we’re happy to help out!

For your replacement NAS, it sounds like you're looking for something simple and reliable, and it’s great that you’re already thinking about moving to SSDs to avoid those loud, clunky HDDs. Let’s break down your options.

LINCSTATION N2 vs. CWWK X86-P6:
LINCSTATION N2: This one is a solid option for home users. It has an intuitive interface and should work well with Windows devices. Setting it up for data storing and music streaming should be straightforward, and it should also support DLNA without issue. It’s not overly complicated, and you won't need to dive deep into anything advanced unless you want to expand later.

CWWK X86-P6: While this is a good-looking NAS and has SSD support, it might be more complicated than the LINCSTATION, especially if you’re looking to configure Unraid or other more advanced setups. Unraid can be a bit tricky if you haven’t worked with it before, but since you have IT experience, you should be able to handle it with a bit of learning. It’ll give you more flexibility in the long run but may require more setup initially.

Unraid Setup & Compatibility:
Unraid is a fantastic option for more advanced setups because it allows you to mix drives of different sizes, has great flexibility, and is great for streaming. However, for a simple music streaming and file storage setup, you might not need all the complexity. You could start with something more plug-and-play, like the LINCSTATION, and use it for your main needs.

As for DLNA, both NAS options should support it, and you’ll be able to stream your music files to your Hi-Fi system just like you did with your Buffalo NAS. Windows devices will also be able to access the NAS easily through standard file sharing protocols.

Final Recommendation:
If you want something easy to set up and don't mind sacrificing a little bit of advanced flexibility, the LINCSTATION N2 would likely be the better choice. It should be a simple, reliable solution for your needs, especially if you’re just looking to store data and stream music without diving too deeply into configuration.

If you're interested in experimenting with something more flexible and you’re up for learning Unraid, the CWWK X86-P6 with SSDs could give you more long-term options but would require a bit of setup.

Either way, with your IT background, you should be able to handle it and have fun with the setup.