Ripping and new Synology

Hi Mudwolf -

Max and XLD are both pretty popular among Mac users.

I've only tried Max -- it is one of a suite of products from sbooth dot org.

As far as connecting your Mac to the ND5 XS, a HiFace will work well.

A less expensive alternative would be to use an optical connection.  I believe the iMac has one of those hidden S/PDF outputs in the headphone jack, so you would need a converter plug and an optical cable.   Most things I've read suggest that a HiFace will bring better sound quality though.

Good luck -- hope that all that the bad stuff you've been though is in the rear view mirror.

Hook

My colleague at work recently bought himself a Synology DS212 after his Iomega unit died. The Synology was a snap to setup and use apparently, and he started getting good results with it once he sorted out his network (another story). He's also set it up with a permanently attached USB disc drive to perform incremental backups just in case the main unit of the Synology dies (you never know).

He then found somebody on the 'net who modifies a standard 14V linear power supply down to 12V specifically for the Synology and apparently he has observed a significant improvement in sound quality. The 212 is setup close to the system, so its standard Switched Mode Power Supply would have been polluting the system. His new supply cost him about £100 all in. Obviously if you had to investigate this, you'd need to find an appropriate US-spec version.

Stay away from the 212j which I had read in HiFiCritic was not as good as the 212 (they did direct comparisons). The 212+ is probably overkill if all you want is to stream music, so the 212 is it really. I'm assuming you want a 2-disc bay.

One last thing, and a weird one to boot - in terms of network cabling, try to stay the same for all your patch cables. e.g. if you use CAT5e in one place, stick with CAT5e everywhere. If CAT6, then CAT6 everywhere. I'm hearing reports that better results are had when this is done.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Nothing wrong with 212j.  I have just installed one to replace desktop PC and have not noticed any reduction in sound performance. It seemed to represent best value from the Synology range for mainly streaming music.

Going to 212+ was the way to go for me. 212 was fine, but 212J not so good.

It's all new to me, I have numerous operas and classical CDs along with pop Jazz rock. I was thinking of going for a 4 Bay Synology for the large high res files.  I just don't have a clue as to how to get my music on there unless it has a CD drawer or I connect it to my iMac temporarily for download. I won't be streaming from my iMac across the apartment the ND5 has wonderful stuff on it I just am unfamiliar with the connections.  I have an ethernet from my router that gives me iRadio, and the FM module has indoor aerial.  Steaming doesn't allow hirez files.

1)does synology have to have a highface between it and ND5 for UPNP?

they took my iMac with the hiface but left a very expensive cable behind.

2) does Synology work with iTunes to transfer WAV files?  I don't want FLAC even if it is lossless.

Guess I just have to buy it and figure it out step by step.

Well the Tension is over,   my 90yo dad died yesterday, I was holding his hand, it was a long time in coming so relief he's in a better place.  One friend said "just in time for happy hour with Lola."  He had dementia and didn't understand why she wasn't around for 9 months. West Pt grad'43, on the beach in D-day, Bulge, Aachen, Hertgen Forest.  After 20 years got PhD Law and worked for Ford, made it to the top table, legal council. Always fair and conservative, knew how to make any woman look good on the dance floor(according to mom), his teens were dancing to the big bands in CT before West Pt.  ' Never a bad beer ' with dad and a steak or burgers. 

Karl and Lola Wolf made all things possible for me.

Glenn,

My condolences. I feel your pain. May others be as lucky as your dad to have love ones around them when passing away.

- Mo

Glenn 

I should like to offer my deepest sympathy too. 

Having been in that situation myself a few years ago I do understand.

Look back on the many happy occasions, it does help. 

All the best, Guy 

Sorry to hear about your Dad's passing.   Very sweet how you remember his accomplishments -- sounds like he was one helluva good man!

Hook

Mudwolf

Sorry for your loss, had recent loss in our family too. Never a good time.

Onto your other loss, i may be telling you how to suck eggs here. Although i use a pc not mac i presume its the same. I use a Synology 212j too connected to ND5. Just connect the Syn to the mac via the router with ethernet cable, along with the ND5.

Rip your cd's to your mac, i use dbpoweramp but think exact audio copy works just as well and copies to wav by default. Not sure if these run on mac though.

Install the media server app on the Syn, this creates 3 shared folders one of which is called music. Just drag and drop your wav files into this folder and the ND5 will find them.

Apologies if your mouth is full of eggs

Thanks Fox, I sort of figured it wouldn't be plugging and transporting the synology from my mac dining area to living room.  After having everything pulled out for the paint job I got all areas dusted and cleaned. The cable mess was horrific but after untangling I found 2 that weren't needed, and others I had pretty clear idea of the needed connection. Also stack is close to TV and router this time so much easier to connect.  I have one of the new HiCaps arriving in another day and then I'll be able to hook up my TT. I have some bubble wrap so I can dress the cables, get them off the floor.

Having 6 guys painting my apartment all at once was wild, the contractor told me to just leave.  So I drove over to Pasadena to see a friend and then lunch and 2 beers.  All was right with the world as they were cleaning up.  Touch up 3rd day and I got to put things back in order.  Why I had to do all this at the same time my father was that way, I don't know, but it kept me from worrying about him. I'm very happy with the new colors of the apartment.