Fanless NAS solution/alternative

Posted by: hugo5282 on 27 October 2013

I've been doing a bit of research on the parameters that I would like as a NAS/DLNA server.

1. Asset as DLNA serving WAV (transcoding ALAC to WAV)

2. Fanless

With the coming of these fanless PCs, this would seem like a good solution - all I would need to attach is an external HDD (fanless) and that should be it. I would think the PC could run on battery for quite a few hours and perhaps a linear PSU for the external HDD as an upgrade in the future.

http://liliputing.com/2013/09/...p-spectre-13-x2.html

I am aware of different things out there but they don't quite meet what I'm after or cost is prohibitive (such as AssetNAS from RIPNAS/HFX). There is minimserver (in the future it may transcode ALAC or storage is cheap could store in AIFF and transcode) but it seems a bit fiddly with some linux skills required (and i'm not good with these things). I don't want vortexbox either as i'd like WAV to be served to the naim.

Just thought I'd share my research thus far.

Posted on: 27 October 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Well, thanks to Mr Spoon, author of Asset, there is a beta version of Asset that runs on the RaspberryPi.

So if you plug a large capacity USB stick memory in to the Pi, you have a kitchen matchbox size uPnP server (than can transcode and advanced rules) as well as storage. There are no fans and consumes next to no power and it is powered by a USB lead.

I have been using my Pi to serve AAC and mp3 files to my NDX via miniDLNA for a while now and works well.

Simon

EDIT BTW I have noticed vbr mp3 bit rate updates on the Nstream interface whereas AAC stays at the initial bandwidth , which can be quite arbitrary.. I suspect another 'feature' of the current streaming firmware.

Posted on: 28 October 2013 by mutterback

Two quick comments:

- VortexBox stream WAV files through the built in Logitech Media Server, though doesn't rip them. Probably not the best solution, but it would work.

- You could also check out the ComputerAudiophile Pocket Server. There are DIY kits as well as some companies that sell pre-assembled. They run Windows, so you can use JRiver.