A big thank you to Mark and the Antipodes team.
My Oladra, which had a hard-to-diagnose fault, has returned from New Zealand. It is now performing at its absolute best—especially since I managed to source Samsung PM893 Pro SSDs (3 x 8TB); I can now say there is a clear audible difference between a standard Samsung SSD (EVO/QVO) and the Samsung Pro series.
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You know you are really fond of your streamer when you refer to it as a person. 
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Audible difference between storage media?
I asked the AI about the suitability of choosing PM893 drives for the Oladra.
Here is the response:
“The PM893s: an excellent choice for the Oladra.
You made a very smart upgrade:
• Enterprise SSD → minimal electrical noise, ideal for an audio server.
• High endurance → perfect for large transfers and Roon re-indexing.”
Apparently, it is the minimal noise level that accounts for this audible difference; whereas previously I noticed no difference between streaming and local playback (of the same file), the situation is now reversed—playback via the PM893 comes out on top.
You must have spent a fortune for 3 8TB Samsung PM893 nowadays!
The next question is: will you ever get them full?
(You are not alone in hearing differences between ssd‘s)
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Yes, they are expensive if you buy them new—especially right now. I’m lucky enough to have a friend who bought about ten of them to set up a server and offer data rental services. In the end, he didn’t go through with the project, so the PM893-8TB drives are in mint condition and cost a third of the price of new ones. He likely still has a few left.
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You can read more about better storage here:
Heads up… for owners of the K50, K40, and K30… Samsung QVO series drives are not compatible…
only the EVO models are.
The QVO is a consumer-grade QLC SSD (4 bits per cell) designed for PCs and NAS units, not for audio servers or embedded Linux servers.
On the other hand, I’m having trouble inserting a QVO into the slot on my K50 G2… the QVO is a thick SSD (7mm + reinforced casing)… whereas the K50 slots are designed for “enterprise” SSDs that are strictly 7mm thick, with no extra bulk.
The result: the QVO creates mechanical resistance… leading to poor contact and failure to detect the drive.
@Mark… is that right?
@Poprock… Patrice… I’ll call you tomorrow so you can pick up a PM893 for me.
No, this is incorrect.
The QVO and EVO are exactly the same physical size; I do not understand your comment on reinforced casing; they do have different technology V-NAND vs QLC.
From the Samsung tech data sheets:
PM893: 100.20x 69.85x 7.0(mm)
870 EVO: 100x 69.85x 6.8(mm)
870 QVO: 100x 69.85x 6.8(mm)
If your drives are the same, and are having difficulty inserting the drive, you could remove the lid of the K50 and check alignment and adjust/loosen the rails if required: ensure the device is turned off and has power disconnected.
| Feature | Samsung EVO SSD | Samsung QVO SSD |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | V-NAND (TLC) | QLC |
| Read Speed | Up to 550 MB/s | Up to 540 MB/s |
| Write Speed | Up to 520 MB/s | Up to 480 MB/s |
| Capacity Options | 250GB – 4TB | 1TB – 8TB |
| Endurance | Higher (more write cycles) | Lower |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Samsung EVO Series
The Samsung EVO series is recognized for its outstanding performance and durability, primarily aimed at both consumers and professionals needing high-performance storage solutions. The drives in this series typically utilize Samsung’s V-NAND technology, offering faster read and write speeds, making them suitable for demanding applications like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
Samsung QVO Series
On the flip side, the Samsung QVO series is designed to provide users with larger storage capacities at a more affordable price point. These drives primarily utilize a technology called QLC (Quad-Level Cell), which allows higher data density within the same physical space at a lower cost. However, this comes with trade-offs in terms of speed and endurance compared to the EVO series.
Thanks for the clarification, Mark… I’ll take a look at that tomorrow morning.
It’s good news that you can mix and match SSD.
Personally, I’m patiently waiting for a Samsung PM893 SSD 8To , to arrive by the end of August (my seller is on vacation).
In the meantime, my trusty 4To Crucial drive is getting the job done. 
8TB SSDs are so expensive these days. I guess the dealer could afford a vacation right after selling one. 
I think you didn’t read it carefully… the seller wasn’t able to set up his “Data Center,” so he is selling off his stock of 8TB PM893 SSDs (surely at a loss).
I’ve almost filled up my 8TB drive (7.60 exactly)… I’m going to get another 8TB one (if there are any left).
Great music!
Haha, it was just a joke about how ridiculously expensive 8TB SSDs are these days. I’m still running a 2TB, luckily purchased years ago. Enjoy! Good for you!