Qnap TS-219P II ?

Posted by: jamesw on 18 November 2012

Hi All,

Just wondered if anyone is using one of these ana had any comments as to how well it works with Naim streamers (I have just bought an NDX)? On paper it seems to look good, but in practice, does it's particular implementation of upnp and, I believe in this case Twonky, play nice with the NDX (metadata, album art, etc.)?

To be specific, since I have a unitiserve, it will mainly be used as a backup for that, but if/when the inevitable unitiserve HDD failure should occur, it would be very nice if this would operate seamlessly itself as a server for the NDX.

If so, any particular HDD recommendations?

If not, any specific other NAS recommendations?

Cheers,

James

Posted on: 20 November 2012 by jamesw
Originally Posted by Peter W:

I use dBpoweramp to rip CDs in WAV and FLAC formats, then tidy up metadata with Media Monkey.

 

Like Jack I had trouble with WAV metadata too (e.g. no artwork, incomplete metadata), but later I found out that this could be resolved easily by re-saving WAV files with Media Monkey. Once that is done my Twonky/NDX/NDS can handle all WAV files without any problem. FLAC files can be read without having to go through Media Monkey.

Thanks Peter,

 

That's really useful. Any particular settings required in MediaMonkey to get this to work OK, or just standard?

 

Cheers,

James

Posted on: 20 November 2012 by jamesw
Originally Posted by Iver van de Zand:

Dear Peter,

 

thanks for yor message. My music is stored in Flac after being ripped with dbPoweramp. I transcode the Flac to Wav using Assett, because the SoundQuality very slightly improves. There have been threads around transcoding here, and the general thhought is that the Naim gear (in my case ND5xs) has less "work" to do when offered a Wav file instead of a Flac. This could cause the better sq. 

 

My UpnP software is thus Assett thought the Nas also hasTwonky. I was interested in the transcoding possibilities of Twonky sinceI cant find that option in My Twonky which is the latest version available via QPG.

 

cheers,

Iver

Transcoding before sending to the streamer makes perfect sense to me and should negate any possible quality loss when playing back Flac. Did you notice the MinimServe link I posted, which might allow transcoding on the NAS, without having to run a PC? I might try Minim on my Mac first as an experiment, then install on a Qnap if it seems to work well...

Posted on: 20 November 2012 by Peter W
Originally Posted by Iver van de Zand:

Dear Peter,

 

thanks for yor message. My music is stored in Flac after being ripped with dbPoweramp. I transcode the Flac to Wav using Assett, because the SoundQuality very slightly improves. There have been threads around transcoding here, and the general thhought is that the Naim gear (in my case ND5xs) has less "work" to do when offered a Wav file instead of a Flac. This could cause the better sq. 

 

My UpnP software is thus Assett thought the Nas also hasTwonky. I was interested in the transcoding possibilities of Twonky sinceI cant find that option in My Twonky which is the latest version available via QPG.

 

cheers,

Iver

Hi Iver

 

I too am trying to minimize "work" in the music replay chain, including the NAS. Why not just rip WAV files? That would save the NAS from having to do the extra work of transcoding FLAC to WAV.

Posted on: 20 November 2012 by Peter W
Originally Posted by jamesw:
Originally Posted by Peter W:

I use dBpoweramp to rip CDs in WAV and FLAC formats, then tidy up metadata with Media Monkey.

 

Like Jack I had trouble with WAV metadata too (e.g. no artwork, incomplete metadata), but later I found out that this could be resolved easily by re-saving WAV files with Media Monkey. Once that is done my Twonky/NDX/NDS can handle all WAV files without any problem. FLAC files can be read without having to go through Media Monkey.

Thanks Peter,

 

That's really useful. Any particular settings required in MediaMonkey to get this to work OK, or just standard?

 

Cheers,

James

Hi James

 

It is very easy, no special settings needed. Just fill in the metadata as required, then select ALL the tracks in the album, right mouse click, click "Properties", then click "artwork", add artwork, then click "OK" and the file(s) will be tagged. Done!

 

If you go to the folder in which your album tracks are kept, you will see that a file named "album name.thm" has been created by Media Monkey. Presumably it is this file that Twonky can read.

Posted on: 20 November 2012 by jamesw
Originally Posted by Peter W:
Originally Posted by jamesw:
Originally Posted by Peter W:

I use dBpoweramp to rip CDs in WAV and FLAC formats, then tidy up metadata with Media Monkey.

 

Like Jack I had trouble with WAV metadata too (e.g. no artwork, incomplete metadata), but later I found out that this could be resolved easily by re-saving WAV files with Media Monkey. Once that is done my Twonky/NDX/NDS can handle all WAV files without any problem. FLAC files can be read without having to go through Media Monkey.

Thanks Peter,

 

That's really useful. Any particular settings required in MediaMonkey to get this to work OK, or just standard?

 

Cheers,

James

Hi James

 

It is very easy, no special settings needed. Just fill in the metadata as required, then select ALL the tracks in the album, right mouse click, click "Properties", then click "artwork", add artwork, then click "OK" and the file(s) will be tagged. Done!

 

If you go to the folder in which your album tracks are kept, you will see that a file named "album name.thm" has been created by Media Monkey. Presumably it is this file that Twonky can read.

Sweet 

 

Thanks!