Narrowing down a course of action

[zimer]

I'm currently running a DIR-655 router connecting a DNS-323 to my home network. I've run into a few limits I'm thinking about purchasing new hardware to get around. Unfortunately I'm not sure where I should be focusing on to fill my requirements. I'm willing to build the thing (whatever it turns out to be) from scratch but I'm not sure it's really worth it for what I'm looking at or that I'd be able to build something that isn't better handled by a dedicated nas solution.

I'd like to meet these requirements:
Full access to OS: Firmware is usually great but not always flexible enough
3+ HDD: Two 1+TB drives for storage, and an ssd/2.5 drive for constant usage
Quiet: A case/enclosure that muffles standard HDD or allows for an ssd to cover most constant usage allowing the standard HDDs to spin down.
----running OS/Firmware + server/ftp off ssd/2.5’’ to remove disk noise under constant use.
Small: I'm willing to go to an matx case/motherboard solution but I'd love to make/buy something smaller

Price: Looking for cost effective over pure performance

I think those could be fit in a number of ways, purpose built 4 drive nas, mitx, or matx. Is there any good way to narrow it down to a single area?

 

[Osamede]

Tranquil BBS2 barebones nas unit: http://www.tranquilpc-shop.co.uk/ They deliver more or less worldwide for a pretty reasonable price.

Speced at max about 22db including multiple drives, when in operation. Uses a single standard 80mm fan, so you could put in your own fan if you wanted to knock off another couple decibels.

I have ordered one myself and will use an SSD as the sytem drive and WD drives for the storage.

Of couse you need a simple 10 buck adapter (easily found on Newegg, Amazon etc)that allows you to mount a 2.5 drive in a 3.5 drive holder.

 

[zimer]

After currency conversion and shipping the BBS2 - Advanced comes to close to $1000 which is very close to the cost of most 4-5 drive setups shipped locally. So two questions arise; is this the best option for a ~$1000 all-in-one solution or should that $1000 be better spent on an matx/mitx custom tower?

Should I look at all-in-one solutions or build something custom for that price? Is it even worth spending $1000 when I'm more interested in the device a full server rather then just how fast it can transfer files? I'm not sure which is making it difficult to focus in on specific things rather then every possible answer.