I think my Audiostore server must be coming up to ten years old. I have no problems with it as my music repository and Roon engine. However, I’m contemplating changing it.
In my system, it’s the most recent of my purchases; apart from the NDS, UQ’s, Snaxo and Supercap, my kit is all ‘olive’. Am I correct on focusing on replacing the server?
If your backup is robust I would just keep it, unless it lacks features you want, which I presume it doesn’t?
If it’s an HDD server, after 10 years I’d be having some serious concerns about the hard disk…. and the true state of any backups; ie can they actually be restored and to what?
ATB, J
For me a robust backup has to include a hardware backup, not just data. Just run an (automated) backup to a £200 Synology NAS or similar. If the main storage device dies, use that to run a server. Test the backup at any time by doing the same.
If it is still functioning as it should, why change? Changing just the server is unlikely to have any major effect on sound quality, at least not unless you go for something like a top Melco or Innuos when it possibly might, though maybe depending on the quality of the rest of your kit. If It were me I’d wait, but also search out alternatives and keep abreast of things so you will be ready to replace when one day it reaches end of life.
Good advice all round - thank you.
I’ve not tested my backup for a while. I’ve a copy on a SSD, and backups on a 4-bay and 2 bay Qnap. I’ll test these over the next few weeks as summer winds down.
I’m due to replace a MacMini and I plan to add my music files to its HDD. I’m aware that the one of the disks on the 4-bay need replacing. I love an autumn project!
Generally when building a NAS you would acquire additional identical disks at a ratio of between 1:4 (less critical) to 1:2 (more critical) for hot swap replacements and the cold backup device (another removable disk or second NAS) would be separate from that.
As mentioned, at the 10 year mark preventative maintenance may make swapping out all disks advisable.
However, if they are up 24/7 they will probably last longer. Constant full power downs and bestarta will do more to shorten their life than constant uptime. It’s hard to tell though and I’ve had WD red drives fail as fast as 12 months in.
Your cold backup is everything. If it is in a common enough file system and format, it should be transportable to any NAS for restore.
I would not necessarily let the itch for something new get to you but would be testing your backup readability and if the backup disk is old perhaps just creating a second cold backup on a newer disk. If you have high confidence in the backups, you can run the NAS until it’s dead and get a new one delivered in probably 24hrs.
I used an Innuos server to get all the functionality onto my NDS (quobuz)
The sense app is superb and don’t ask me why but it sounds much better than using the Naim app.
Maybe worth, subject to budget, exploring an Innuos or equivalent.
The NDS produces a wonderful sound and is a great source, Cds2 like in its analogue presentation of sound.
Gary
After about 8 years a first WD Red failed in my Synology nas. I’ve just replaced it by a Seagate Ironwolf disk. It was easy to do and I’ve also bought a spare Seagate disk in case of.
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