USB memory advice

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Swan55

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Joined
Feb 5, 2025
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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
 
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.
 
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
 
Saponetto said:
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.
Click to expand...
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 ?
 
narcoleptic-haze said:
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
Click to expand...
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 !
 
Swan55 said:
Do I understand correctly that such devices are powered via the Ultra's USB socket ?
Click to expand...
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.
 
Mr Ee said:
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.
Click to expand...
1750 mA :)

That's certainly sufficient for all USB memory keys. It might or might not cover all operational states of an SSD (unfortunately, specs are really lacking regarding the typical and maximum power consumption these days). Most certainly, HDDs won't be happy with that.

I'd also go with an external power supply to be on the safe side. It's damn hard to troubleshoot intermittent power issues.
 
reniro said:
i´m using a 2 TB M2 HDD in an external case. its just gets a little bit warm but nothing crazy. Works great!
Click to expand...
Reniro and Skull et all,

I had not considered an external HDD until now, and will look into it. thanks.

Does the HDD remain warm all the time that the Ultra is powered up, or only when in actual playback use ?

I assume that there is no discernible noise from the HDD whilst in operation ?

We're in the habit of turning equipment off at night; might that cause any re-connection problems when we next power the Ultra on. ?


As an aside, when you want to add new music to your HDD, presumably from your PC etc.
What is the process ? Do you remove the HDD from the Ultra and plug it into your PC; copy only any new material (or must you copy your entire music library each time); then back into the Ultra and perform a new scan ?

Sorry for the rather basic questions.
 
harkpabst said:
1750 mA :)

That's certainly sufficient for all USB memory keys. It might or might not cover all operational states of an SSD (unfortunately, specs are really lacking regarding the typical and maximum power consumption these days). Most certainly, HDDs won't be happy with that.

I'd also go with an external power supply to be on the safe side. It's damn hard to troubleshoot intermittent power issues.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the 1750ma info. much appreciated.

I agree on troubleshooting intermittent power issues.
I see many storage expansion units for sale, of all technology types, that do not support external power and have no power socket, relying instead on USB power from the host.
I've wondered how many of these units are operating comfortably within the supposedly supplied power supply, and how many are operating up against the limit, and just about getting away with it, albeit not always. And on other forums over the years, I've noticed wise advice recommending that users replace the supplied power bricks, and invest in a third party unit with a slightly higher power rating, which often cures a number of intermittent issues.
thx
 
Swan55 said:
Reniro and Skull et all,

I had not considered an external HDD until now, and will look into it. thanks.

Does the HDD remain warm all the time that the Ultra is powered up, or only when in actual playback use ?

I assume that there is no discernible noise from the HDD whilst in operation ?

We're in the habit of turning equipment off at night; might that cause any re-connection problems when we next power the Ultra on. ?


As an aside, when you want to add new music to your HDD, presumably from your PC etc.
What is the process ? Do you remove the HDD from the Ultra and plug it into your PC; copy only any new material (or must you copy your entire music library each time); then back into the Ultra and perform a new scan ?

Sorry for the rather basic questions.
Click to expand...
Never noticed any heat issues myself
New music only added via laptop then do a quick scan when adding back to ultra yes 👍
 
Whatever you do stick with a major brand name. I tried the cheap knock offs on Amazon and ended up costing myself more money in the end. They were riddled with errors. Copying a large amount of data onto a storage device requires quality from the device. Purchase larger storage capacity than you need. Plan for the future.
 
goodmore said:
Whatever you do stick with a major brand name. I tried the cheap knock offs on Amazon and ended up costing myself more money in the end. They were riddled with errors. Copying a large amount of data onto a storage device requires quality from the device. Purchase larger storage capacity than you need. Plan for the future.
Click to expand...
Hi Goodmore,

Both good points, many thanks.
(I had noticed many previously unheard of brands at much lower than usual prices; i'd decided to avoid them and their siren temptation)
 
Swan55 said:
I've wondered how many of these units are operating comfortably within the supposedly supplied power supply, and how many are operating up against the limit, and just about getting away with it, albeit not always. And on other forums over the years, I've noticed wise advice recommending that users replace the supplied power bricks, and invest in a third party unit with a slightly higher power rating, which often cures a number of intermittent issues.
Click to expand...
You can always use an externally powered USB hub.
 
Swan55 said:
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
Click to expand...

Get raspberry pi, use LMS with music stored on that drive. Job done.

The scanner in the Wiim is functional but basic
 
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