USB memory advice

[Swan55]

Our PC based music library is approx 220gb with many more cd's waiting to be loaded.
We would like to copy them to a usb memory stick for plugging into our Ultra for playback.

We've tried a few test runs with small sized memory (16gb) sticks and are happy with the results.

Before we order a larger memory stick, does anybody have any advice regarding make / size / casing material / heat / anything else etc.
Here in the UK, 512gb usb stick cost up to about £35, which is not an awful lot but too much to waste if there's anything obvious we're unaware of.

Members opinions would be appreciated. thx

 

[Saponetto]

Currently using a 256Gb stick plugged on Ultra's USB socket, enough to take several Telarc audio samples and some goodies, and so far no troubles at all.
If you plan to load a lot of rips into that memory, of course better avoid sticks and get a 512/1TB M2 with external case.
Works just better in terms of thermal assessment.

 

[narcoleptic-haze]

I use a Samsung T5 500GB SSD drive. It's great.

On a side note though, sometimes if I want to skip ahead on a longer song before it's buffered, there's a lengthy delay in the song actually playing at that position. I'm using hi-res FLAC files so it's probably just that the file sizes are causing a buffering bottleneck because they're large. I wonder if using a faster drive like a Samsung T7 would minimise this .. hmm

 

[Swan55]

Currently using a 256Gb stick plugged on Ultra's USB socket, enough to take several Telarc audio samples and some goodies, and so far no troubles at all.
If you plan to load a lot of rips into that memory, of course better avoid sticks and get a 512/1TB M2 with external case.
Works just better in terms of thermal assessment.

Thanks Saponetto,

As an aside, thank you for mentioning Telarc recordings, which I've now had a chance to look into via this very complementary link, and will investigate further in the future:
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/2/4/4dusd0t0rsmrxdakhxonwrg543tsh3

I had not previously considered any technology superior to old fashioned USB sticks until now; I was surprised that their prices are more affordable than in previous years. So I will now expand my horizons and review other options.

Do I understand correctly that such devices are powered via the Ultra's USB socket ?

 

[Swan55]

I use a Samsung T5 500GB SSD drive. It's great.

On a side note though, sometimes if I want to skip ahead on a longer song before it's buffered, there's a lengthy delay in the song actually playing at that position. I'm using hi-res FLAC files so it's probably just that the file sizes are causing a buffering bottleneck because they're large. I wonder if using a faster drive like a Samsung T7 would minimise this .. hmm

Thanks Narco,

As I mentioned above, I had not considered going the SSD route, but will now have a look.

I was pleasantly surprised that Amazon uk are selling the Samsung T7 1TB for £78 ... hmm indeed !
That was more ££ than were we wanted to be, but has huge capacity, is faster, and would future proof us for many years !

 

[reniro]

i´m using a 2 TB M2 HDD in an external case. its just gets a little bit warm but nothing crazy. Works great!

 

[Mr Ee]

Do I understand correctly that such devices are powered via the Ultra's USB socket ?

Some such devices can be powered by the ultra itself. I'd have to search (or you can, or others may already know more readily) what the ultra can provide power wise, but honestly you'd probably be best just using separate power for the hdd to avoid any issues.