Different NAS, different sound.

**higo** · 04-18-2012, 12:21 AM

Dear all,

I am currently partnering a Naim ND5 XS streamer with a Synology NAS. Till a few days ago, the music was streamed from the latest two-bay NAS from Synology (DS712) and I am quite happy about its performance of the NAS and the sound generated from this system. The 712 features a 1.8GHz Atom processor with 1G RAM and it is targeted for the use by small to medium sized enterprise.

Convinced that the 712 may be a bit “over-qualified” for the streaming job alone, I recently swapped the 712 with another older model from Synology – DS209. I used the 209 for more than 2 years and it only has a 800MHz processor and 512M RAM. After such a change, the sound generated from my system immediately becomes rather dull and the sound stage shrinks.

Given the fact my setup remains essentially the same (i.e. lan cable, router, ND5 XS, amplifier, interconnects and speakers), I am puzzled by this phenomenon as the only variable is the NAS itself together with its stock transformer. Logically, so long as my old NAS or my new one is capable of streaming the raw music data (i.e. without processing, I suppose) through the ethernet port to my Naim for decoding, the sound generated should be the same. Frankly, I did not expect such a vast difference between the new model and its dated sibling, both from the same manufacturer.

This really begs the question: does the specification (processing power and RAM size), make or model (e.g. single-bay or multi-bay) of the NAS affect the sound quality generated by a streamer? I would be grateful if any member can share his/her view.

Many thanks.

**dmccombs** · 04-25-2012, 05:41 PM

Higo,

From what I have seen the transfer speed of the NAS can affect the sound. In my tests the faster the better. I didnt get to test a a bunch of NAS drives or any super speedy drives, so I don't know if there is a point of diminishing returns regarding transfer speed. But, I did notice SQ differences between the slow and medium speed drives.

I don't know the exact reason. Maybe the host computer needs to spend more CPU caching slower NAS drives. The more you take the CPU from music playback the worse the timing is which can lead to a dull sound.

**Julf** · 04-26-2012, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by dmccombs

From what I have seen the transfer speed of the NAS can affect the sound.

I am very interested in hearing what hardware and software (as well as operating system) you were using - and especially what buffering scheme the player was using, and what protocol was used between the NAS and host.

**HookedOnAudio** · 04-26-2012, 12:30 PM

I've been researching NAS choices for several months and narrowed it down to the Synology DS-212j or a cheaper Buffalo Linkstation - both would be 2TB. But if I go with the Synology I would like to know the brand/model/specs of the drives you have chosen to use. Were they the same when you went from the 712 to the 209. I would be sourcing wirelessly to an Oppo over a Netgear router. I may be overthinking the drive requirements but this thread has caused me to think maybe not.

Thanks,

HookedOnAudio

**GrahamJohnMiles** · 04-27-2012, 04:46 AM

I am using a ximeta NDAS device but it seems to me that if you load your music into memory before playing, an option with JRiver Media Centre, the speed of the device should not really matter.

**Paul.Raulerson** · 04-27-2012, 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by GrahamJohnMiles

I am using a ximeta NDAS device but it seems to me that if you load your music into memory before playing, an option with JRiver Media Centre, the speed of the device should not really matter.

In this specific instance, the speed of the NAS and your network can cause some issues, such as a delay between tracks. Annoying, especially when it plays gaps between gapless tracks. Though, I have not heard a sonic difference once it starts playing on our systems.

**Julf** · 04-27-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Paul.Raulerson

In this specific instance, the speed of the NAS and your network can cause some issues, such as a delay between tracks. Annoying, especially when it plays gaps between gapless tracks. Though, I have not heard a sonic difference once it starts playing on our systems.

So the software (JRiver Media Centre?) doesn't preload the next track?

**Paul.Raulerson** · 04-27-2012, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Julf

So the software (JRiver Media Centre?) doesn't preload the next track?

It does not appear to, or rather, it doesn't appear to preload the next track while the current track is playing.

I am not sure exactly what JRMC 17 is doing, but I have documented that any delay from the network or NAS in providing the next track results in several seconds of delay while it loads the file. At least in version 17. I would expect to see the same thing from USB drives that spin down when not being used, but haven't tested that yet.

-Paul

**Julf** · 04-28-2012, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by Paul.Raulerson

It does not appear to, or rather, it doesn't appear to preload the next track while the current track is playing.

OK, I might be a bit harsh here, but I would call that bad software design.

**realhifi** · 04-29-2012, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by higo

Dear all,

I am currently partnering a Naim ND5 XS streamer with a Synology NAS. Till a few days ago, the music was streamed from the latest two-bay NAS from Synology (DS712) and I am quite happy about its performance of the NAS and the sound generated from this system. The 712 features a 1.8GHz Atom processor with 1G RAM and it is targeted for the use by small to medium sized enterprise.

This really begs the question: does the specification (processing power and RAM size), make or model (e.g. single-bay or multi-bay) of the NAS affect the sound quality generated by a streamer? I would be grateful if any member can share his/her view.

Many thanks.

I think it has much more to do with what UPnP server you are using with either NAS and if the UPnP server is packaged into the NAS which version is it.

You don't say what software you are using and that would be helpful to know. The one that is packaged into the Synology DS712 looks bare bones to me and I would look into Asset or Twonky to get better performance.

**ted_b** · 04-29-2012, 10:22 AM

I use a Synology DS410 (4 bay) and stay far far away from any app on the NAS, UPnP or otherwise. I use the NAS purely as a gigabit storage device for my music server (Mac Mini or Auraliti PK90USB, although latter is not hooked to NAS yet until next MPD build). Make sure your data path is 100% gigabit (router, any switches, etc) if worried about bandwidth.

The sonics of various UPnP software vary quite a bit, but most-if-not-all of them that are included NAS apps are detrimental to the sound. I put Synology's iTunes server in that category too.

**Julf** · 04-29-2012, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by ted_b

The sonics of various UPnP software vary quite a bit, but most-if-not-all of them that are included NAS apps are detrimental to the sound.

If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to just use the NAS as a pure file server instead of using UPnP?

**ted_b** · 04-29-2012, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Julf

If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to just use the NAS as a pure file server instead of using UPnP?

?? That's what I said. I use the Synology as a pure gigabit storage device for my music server. I stay far far away from NAS apps like UPnP.

**Julf** · 04-29-2012, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by ted_b

?? That's what I said. I use the Synology as a pure gigabit storage device for my music server.

Ah, sorry, missed that part.

**dkrause** · 12-08-2012, 04:40 PM

I also have an ND5 XS and I have been researching NAS drives/servers. I would like to take my computer out of the loop when I sit down to listen and rely only on the nStream Naim app on my iPad. Hence, I need a media streamer that runs appropriate software locally. After unsuccessfully attempting to use a Drobo FS and a WD MyBook Live Duo, I have been looking into something like the Synology DS412+. I am worried by some of the posts above indicating that the media server software available to run on the Synology is inadequate. I believe Naim calls out Synology as a recommended NAS option. Can you confirm what software you were using when you realized your original observations in your post?

**Audio_ELF** · 12-09-2012, 04:46 AM

No one has recommended it so far: so I'll add the suggestion of using a Vortexbox.org device to provide server duties to your Naim ND5.

**Quest** · 12-10-2012, 09:22 PM

Question: Are you using the same harddisks in both the two NAS?

I use a 1812+, and find the sonics pretty poor actually (versus internal drives), so I only use it for movies.

Thread: Different NAS, different sound.

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