i use 2 QNAP NAS. TS-509 Pro and a TS-659 Pro II for home use.

Performance wise they are great (assuming you don't use encryption).

But i'm impressed with ZFS because of it's end-to-end check sum for data integrity.

There are some options out there that has ZFS, like freenas, nexenta etc..... those options can install alot more ram which is required for ZFS especially for advance options like deduplication among other things.

I'm hoping that the mainstream brands will adopt a zfs solution, and offer more ram for a more reasonable price.

But till that happens, people will just resort to a DIY NAS using something like freenas, with their own hand picked hardware for zfs if they have the know how
Anyway my home network is like this...
Fiberhome modem > Microtik RB250GS vlan switch > Linksys E4200 V1 router (Victek's RAF Tomato firmware) >

1. QNAP TS-509 Pro - 5 x 1tb storage space
2. QNAP TS-659 Pro II - 6 x 2tb storage space
3. homeplug (used to connect internet to living room if ethernet internet/lan is required)
4. wireless 2.4ghz and 5ghz available throughout the house via the linksys router.
5. android phone, laptops, iphone, etc etc..... any small devices that use internet
Well i'm a media heavy user, so for my own needs, the 6x2tb more or less meets my needs. But as usual storage needs increase, but for now it's still okay.
So depending on your storage requirements and your expected rate of storage required in future, that would be the space you should invest in.

But if you don't need so much, but want network storage to share easily around the home via the lan network, or over the net securely, then yeah a small nas may be okay as well.

Good brands are like QNAP or Synology. But as i mentioned they don't have ZFS. The only option for that is a specific netgear model, or freenas, or Nexenta .....

Recent update of Synology DSM 5.0 and the update of Synology mobile apps allow me to cast video, audio and photo from my NAS to TV via Chromecast Very useful!

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