1st NAS for do-it-all needs... choice paralysis!

[firmlyundecided]

Hi all - after running out of Google storage space, instead of paying them a pittance more I've decided to pay a lot more to stand up my own NAS/home server. I've gone deep down the rabbit hole, but am still feeling choice paralysis for a system I want to last a decade. Here's my use cases:

1. File storage and backup (consolidating all my misc external HDDs and setting up automated Time Machine backups for my and my wife's Macs)
2. Photo backup & management (replacing Google Photos and creating redundancy to iCloud photos. I'm OK if this is 3rd party (e.g. Immich) instead of 1st party)
3. Lightweight web server (hosting a personal website that would get very low traffic)
4. VPN hosting for remote access
5. Home Assistant hosting
6. Media Server (I listed this last, because I don't currently have a media library, and won't start building one tomorrow, but I'd like to build one over time... via CD/Blu-Ray rips, of course.    Plex or Jellyfin, start with Audio, then Direct Playback video, then Transcoding as needed)
7. Mail server? (I'd like to have a personal and secure non-Gmail account, but I've been a bit hesitant about this due to security concerns)

My contenders (unless you tell me otherwise):
1. Synology DS1522+: The leading candidate, only held back because it can't do native transcoding, and it's the most expensive. Maybe in a year or so I'd get an Nvidia Shield or similar device as a Plex server and use the NAS purely for media storage, but that just adds to the $$. Attracted to the strong software enabling nearly all uses cases (including mail server) with security and confidence
2. QNAP TS-464: Cheaper than Synology, with transcoding capabilities. I'm relatively tech savvy, though new to NAS, so I'm confident I could figure it out. Would QuTS be seamless enough for my non-technical wife?
3. DIY - Something like the Aoostar WTR Pro, even loaded with RAM is cheaper still. This would make standing up all the services I want a real deep-dive. I'm up for learning, but ongoing maintenance isn't something I want to spend hours a month on...

I'm running an Eero6 mesh network, so limited to 1Gbps for now, but future-proofing would be nice. With any choice I'd probably start by maxing RAM and getting a pair of 10-12TB Ironwolfs (target budget <$1k-1.2k).

I've watched all the NC vids, but a lot can change in tech in a few years. Maybe there isn't a bad choice among them, but help me decide! Thanks!

[ed]

If ease of use, reliability, and strong software support are your top priorities, the Synology DS1522+ is the best choice. It’s built to last, has excellent first-party apps, and is easy to maintain. While it lacks native hardware transcoding, that’s not a dealbreaker since you’re not heavily into media streaming yet. When the time comes, you can add an Nvidia Shield or a lightweight Plex server to handle transcoding. The DS1522+ is also future-proof with upgradeable RAM, NVMe cache, and 10GbE support.

If you want a more budget-friendly option with built-in transcoding, the QNAP TS-464 is worth considering. It has more hardware flexibility, including an HDMI output and a PCIe slot for expansion. However, QNAP’s software isn't as polished as Synology's, and security updates are a must. It’s manageable if you’re tech-savvy, but DSM on Synology is smoother, especially for non-technical users like your wife.

For maximum power and customization at a lower price, a DIY option like the Aoostar WTR Pro offers the most flexibility. You’d have full control over your setup and better hardware specs for the price, but it requires a lot more effort. You’d need to set up and maintain your own services, manage security, and troubleshoot issues yourself. If you’re up for the learning curve, it’s the most powerful choice, but it’s also the most time-consuming.

Overall, if you want a hassle-free experience that will last a decade, go with the DS1522+. If you’re willing to trade some software polish for better media capabilities, TS-464 is a solid middle ground. If you enjoy tinkering and want the most power for your money, DIY is the way to go—but be prepared for ongoing maintenance.