I am also rocking a dream machine, mine however does not play CDs just Am/FM, which is perfectly acceptable for alarm duty.

I have never trusted my cell phone as an alarm due to my anxiety of if I set the volume correctly or not. I’m rocking my Sony Dream Machine that’s got to be over 20 years old now. Works perfectly, would recommend.

I got them on Amazon, the only place I could find them as well. However, I didn’t search as hard as you I think.

I picked Toshiba drives personally. However, I know of a bunch of WD reds running for years with no issues.

I think since the nas cases aren’t insolated for sound, your going to hear them moving that head around…

Have you considered an ssd populated nas? It does cost more however :(