Optimal playback software of flac files w/QNAP and Supernait

Hi VV,

to help you, you'd need to clarify some things:

I am I correct you have a QNAP Nas with Flac files, a pc and a SuperNait ? You 'd either need a streamer  or use your pc as a streamer. if you'd opt for the latter: does your pc have an Optical Out so you'd benefit from the SuperNait's internal DAC ? You could than use MediaMonkey or Foorbar to play your Flac's and present them to,the pc's digital out (do not forget to tweak the pc settings)

However, personally I believe using the pc does not do justice to your excellent amp (btw what speakers do you have). you would need a streamer that directly communicates to your QNAP Nas Twonky Upnp. Such a streamer could be the ND5XS. Alternatively, if you would have a limited budget, why not buy a 2nd habd UnityQute. The UQ could perfectly act as a streamer and goes well with the SuperNait !

iver

Hi Iver, thank you so much for your response. I goofed on the equipment... I actually recently purchased a SuperUniti and will continue to use my well used Credo 2 speakers. Does this help/change your thinking?

All the best,

Vince

Hey Vince,

wow, SuperUniti. This means, problem solved since the SUperUniti has a streamer embedded. the superUnity requires a UpnP Server that streams the Flacs to It. On your QNAP resides Twonky which is exactly that UpnP Server. So the pc is not needed anymore. Make sure you NAS is connected to the network (ideally wired), has the flacs in it and has Twonky working properly (you can check via the QNAP admin console). The current version is 7.09 I think. The superUniti needs to be connected to the same network too (also wired). Via the setup menu, you can have the superUnity search for Twonky and you are done. If you have an iPad or iPhone you could also download nStream (free) which makes live very easy. it allows you to play, sort, search etc you collection of albums which is way easier than via the SuperUniti's little display. 

By the way, i would expect your dealer to explain and help you with all the above. You bought a superb but expensive peace of kit, so he should definately help you.

The above is the easiest way: Qnap Nas with Twonky -> SuperUniti. However, when you search this forum a bit, you'll find a lot of people with similar kit, still use an extra pc. Why ? : Twonky is a fine UpnP Server but it has its limits when it comes to user-comfort or for example to create your own drill-paths. When going through your collection. Using a pc connected to the NAS, one could run another UpnP servr on the pc that serves the SuperUnity. An example is Assett upnp (from the makers of dbPoweramp). Assett allows way more tuning and tweaking to drill paths etc than Twonky. Be aware, it has nothing (!) to do with sound quality, but all with user comfort. I use assett myself. On my QNAP, I still have Twonky running, just in case Assett would crash (never happened).

in your case, I would call my dealer tomorrow morning, asking to help you a bit with Twonky and setting up the SuperUnitI. If this is not possible, than I'd advise you to go with my first suggested approach and try to connect the SuperUniti to QNap/Twonky. It is not too difficult.

Good luck,

iver

Vince, 

honest answer? Twonky is shite. The best UPnP server outside Naim's own is Asset. Or to say it in the words of Phil Harris, Naim Tech Support: "Asset is the only UPnP server other than our own that I would feel comfortable recommending". I would sell the Qnap and either get an AssetNas or get/put together a purpose built pc based server and put Asset on it. It might be useful to know that Naim's streamers are optimised to play WAV files, hence, I would configure your UPnP server, even if you don't switch, to transcode FLAC to WAV on the fly - Asset can be configured that way. 

For playback software best to use Naim's own nStream.

Good luck

tp

I'm using Synology and the upnp server built into it. Sounds great to my ears!

J RIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i use a qnap with twonky and it works fine, a little dated interface but all good once setup.

I use minimserver on a QNAP TS-119PII NAS. It can be configured to transcode FLAC to WAV and it works a lot better than the built in Twonky software in that it is more reliable and faster to index your tracks. There are nice options to customise what you see when you browse from n-Stream. The setup is a little more involved but if you follow the instructions on the minimserver web site it is not too hard to get going.

Hi what NAS comes with or can have asset downloaded onto it?

I also use Minimserver. It is the best UPNP server and works fine with Qnap and Naim!

AssetNas / RipNas: http://www.hfx.at/index.php?op...d=401&Itemid=131

In the UK you also have ZoneRipper, distributed amongst others by by ripcaster...

Or you can buy / build your own whs server and load Asset and dbP onto it. 

Asset only runs on Windows.

I use a QNAP but only use Twonky for movies. For music I run Asset on a really old windows laptop and it works just fine with uncompressed FLAC (no transcribing here).

I do have a (version 0.5) of Asset UPNP for Mac - can't say it works too well.

JRiver media center has been the most seamless in my recent journey through Twonky, Plex, Universal Media Server et.al

Am intrigued by Vortexbox and the Liv Zen implementation of it. Have not really read a harsh word about VB so far...

Asset runs on Windows, Mac, Rasberry Pi and now...

(drum roll)

...Linux.

Which means that you may be able to make it run on a QNAP. Great times !