Playing DSD with NDS

Andrew Everard posted:

Bart posted:

David, Naim are not going to tell you how to install MinimServer on your QNAP nas I suspect.  But plenty of us here run MinimServer and have installed it on a QNAP nas.  I would start with the MinimServer website -- they do have installation instructions there. And you have to go there to get the download in any event.

As far as I know, Minimserver is now in the QNAP App Centre, so installing it is just a matter of clicking it in a list on the QNAP's control panel page, then choosing to install it

You're quite right!  

Bart posted:

You're quite right!  

Phew! Wasn't sure whether it was there because I'd installed it, but seemed to remember it now coming as standard with latest QNAP firmware builds.

Andrew Everard posted:

Bart posted:

You're quite right!  

Phew! Wasn't sure whether it was there because I'd installed it, but seemed to remember it now coming as standard with latest QNAP firmware builds.

Yup things have progressed to where installing third-party servers onto Synology and QNAP nas boxes are getting easier and easier!  With the app in the AppCenter, it's just a few clicks to install it.  Once installed, there are a few settings to work out, and David will need a little hand-holding perhaps with that.  He has to point MinimServer to the folders (directories) on his nas that contain the music.  That is done by installing and using MinimWatch on a computer on the same home network.  The MinimServer webpages describe how to do this.

With the Naim App, David, once MinimServer is running on your nas and has been pointed to your music with MinimWatch, you'll see "MinimServer" as a choice to pick in the Naim App when you select UPnP input for your NDS using the Naim App.  (You'll also see it on the front panel display of the NDS if you want to browse that way using the buttons on the front panel.)  You'll then see a display similar to what you see when you select your UnitiServe - a choice of ways to find your music (Artist, Album, etc.).  The only real difference should be is that the DSD albums will also appear! And play!

Again, plenty of help here should you need it.

I can confirm that with Asset R5 for Windows, and now the Beta R5 release for RaspberryPi, I was able to serve my ND5XS with dsf files (DSD64 format only) and they are played natively - no DoP (DSD over PCM frames, which is how many of the USB equipped DACS handle DSD.

As such I have replaced the majority of the 24/176.4 based rips I took from SACD ISOs, with the dsf files, as the 1-bit DSD to multi-bit PCM FLAC process resulted in ultra-sonic noise.

The R5 Beta on RaspberryPi seems to be stable & responsive so I would imagine it won't remain in Beta for long.

Simon

simes_pep posted:

I can confirm that with Asset R5 for Windows, and now the Beta R5 release for RaspberryPi, I was able to serve my ND5XS with dsf files (DSD64 format only) and they are played natively - no DoP (DSD over PCM frames, which is how many of the USB equipped DACS handle DSD.

As such I have replaced the majority of the 24/176.4 based rips I took from SACD ISOs, with the dsf files, as the 1-bit DSD to multi-bit PCM FLAC process resulted in ultra-sonic noise.

The R5 Beta on RaspberryPi seems to be stable & responsive so I would imagine it won't remain in Beta for long.

Simon

Interesting but not likely helpful for David, the original poster.  He owns a brilliant Naim system as reflected in his profile here, and simply wants to play DSD files as simply as possible and wonders why he can't when the NDS supports it.  The simplest solution is not available to him - putting the files with the rest of the music his UnitiServe serves up - because Naim have not (been able to) update the UnitiServe to support DSD.  So we're trying to get him to the next best solutions.

1. Keep using usb sticks

2. Enable MinimServer on his existing nas.

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845,199.  Buy and learn how to program a Raspberry Pi.

Thanks to all of you who have contributed here. I haven't had any time today to read your posts. I will tackle the issue during next week. One thing, my NDS is not connected directly to the US, but via a gigabit switch, to which the NAS is also connected. 

David

David O'Higgins posted:

Thanks to all of you who have contributed here. I haven't had any time today to read your posts. I will tackle the issue during next week. One thing, my NDS is not connected directly to the US, but via a gigabit switch, to which the NAS is also connected. 

David

Not surprised that you're connected up that way!  It's the solution that makes sense ;-)  And for the uServe to use the nas as a "store" and backup, it requires an ip address as well and thus is connected to your switch.  You're all ready to take the leap to running a server on your nas.  Just jump!!

Ok, I've managed to get minimserver installed on the Qnap. The first thing I notice is that all the album covers seem to be rendered correctly. When I was using the Unitiserve (as the server?), there were quite a few generic 'Naim' icons. It also shows my Honky Chateau DSD and  it plays!

I have all my HD files in one folder on the NAS, and minimserver is 'pointed' to this. Can I get it to see my CD rips on the US as well? (Or equally, to play from the US backup, which is also on the NAS.)

David O'Higgins posted:

Ok, I've managed to get minimserver installed on the Qnap. The first thing I notice is that all the album covers seem to be rendered correctly. When I was using the Unitiserve (as the server?), there were quite a few generic 'Naim' icons. It also shows my Honky Chateau DSD and  it plays!

I have all my HD files in one folder on the NAS, and minimserver is 'pointed' to this. Can I get it to see my CD rips on the US as well? (Or equally, to play from the US backup, which is also on the NAS.) 

MinimServer will look for ONE path (one "content directory") - a top level folder that you specify, and then automatically the folders within that folder.  It won't see it's library AND the uServe.  But if you put the uServe's backup within the content directory you designate, it'll see it.