NAS optimisation

I don't have QNAP, but found something similar with Synology.  I opted to get involved in beta testing for what was to become DSM-6.1,  the beta software had a lot of the packaged programs (apps if you like) enabled (running) & they used a lot more RAM & CPU than did the limited programs I used just for audio.   I soon found I was not very helpful beta testing security & business systems so I uninstalled as many as possible - this does not uninstall as such, it just turns them off.    I had not noticed an SQ degradation when I first loaded the beta package, but I did notice it improved when I uninstalled the unwanted ones.

Indeed - I disabled all functions on my QNAP too. Just use it as a pure storage for serving music. 

What also helped a bit was changing a power supply unit - from the stock switch-mode one to the Cuddly Toy one. 

Would be interested to know what you disabled by way of background stuff...?

nickpeacock posted:

Would be interested to know what you disabled by way of background stuff...?

I assume its my question as you too have a Synology ........... maybe better to say what I have running with DSM-6.1 for audio only rather than what I disabled   (the Synology beta software loaded a pile of developer tools plus security & business system stuff & thats what I disabled as they collectly used >50% CPU & RAM)    

File Station & Universal Search - both are fixed & not able to be be uninstalled.   Media Server & Hyper Backup - Media Server (or Minimserver) is an obvious 'must have' as its the UPnP for local audio streaming.  I have Hyper Backup 'Running'  but I don't have it set for a timed backup which means its not using resources.  I store my backup USB-HD in another place & Hyper Backup only becomes active when I connect the USB-HD to the NAS.     

These programs give a variable 1% to 10% on CPU & 20% to 23% RAM depending on the sample/bitrate of the album played.  This is with my DS214;  your 212 has a different CPU so your CPU & RAM numbers will be different

nickpeacock posted:

Would be interested to know what you disabled by way of background stuff...?

The only programme that my QNAP NAS is running is a 'File Station'. Even internet connection is disabled (I use my UnitiServe as my primary UPnP server)

Ah, Mike - sorry - just setting up my new qnap!

nickpeacock posted:

Ah, Mike - sorry - just setting up my new qnap!

Nick - I have a lot of screenshots of my QNAP settings (prepared them last year for one of the Forum members). If you email me (email address is in my profile) I can send them over in the evening when I get back home.

Adam

nickpeacock posted:

Ah, Mike - sorry - just setting up my new qnap!

No probs Nick,  I'll leave it on the thread for other Synology users.

nickpeacock posted:

Ah, Mike - sorry - just setting up my new qnap!

Nick.

If I where you, I'd load the oldest firmware possible and resist the temptation to upgrade to newer versions.

I posted a couple of months ago regarding the perils of upgrading qnap firmware. The main problem was the activation of media library.

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...54#69426746190055254

I use exactly the same configuration as Mike-B.

(Great minds think alike, but fools seldom differ!   ...  Take your pick!  )

Thank for the heads up on this. I upgraded to the latest Qnap firmware last night and spent a while this morning turning things off. I turned off the music server and video stuff, then found that the media library needs to be turned off separately. 

To me, this is the real strength of the Forum, which enables me to pick up tips I'd never have thought of myself. I'm not sure if it's made a sonic difference, perhaps because the 253A is a powerful nas, so it's capable of running lots of things at the same time, but it certainly makes sense not to run things that don't need running. 

Adam Zielinski posted:

nickpeacock posted:

Ah, Mike - sorry - just setting up my new qnap!

Nick - I have a lot of screenshots of my QNAP settings (prepared them last year for one of the Forum members). If you email me (email address is in my profile) I can send them over in the evening when I get back home.

Adam

Fantastic - will do!

Hungryhalibut posted:

To me, this is the real strength of the Forum, which enables me to pick up tips I'd never have thought of myself.

Yes, Indeed.

A forum is a place to listen, not just talk.

Has anyone tried a linear power supply on a Qnap, where the Qnap is on the ring main and the hifi is on a separate spur? 

I saw above that Adam uses a Teddy, but I'd rather avoid that as it's actually an SMPS. MCRU sell a 2amp supply for £395, which would be ok, but only if it makes a real difference. I assume 2amp would be enough for a TS-253A, which consumes about 15W when running. 

I think 12v/5A is more appropriate for the 253 as although the voltage is obviously fixed it's better to have a bit more current than risk less.

There is a UK person who advertises on eBay that sells LPSUs for less than half the TP or MCRU price:     wwwdotreelaudiodotcodotuk/psudiscussion

Hungryhalibut posted:

Has anyone tried a linear power supply on a Qnap, where the Qnap is on the ring main and the hifi is on a separate spur? 

I saw above that Adam uses a Teddy, but I'd rather avoid that as it's actually an SMPS. MCRU sell a 2amp supply for £395, which would be ok, but only if it makes a real difference. I assume 2amp would be enough for a TS-253A, which consumes about 15W when running. 

Just one note: my network gear (including the NAS) is on a separate circuit, independent of the other circuits. It goes via a rack-mount UPS which also acts as a mains filter for the network components (both in and out filter). I also run 3 dedicated audio circuits for my audio gear.

nickpeacock posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

nickpeacock posted:

Ah, Mike - sorry - just setting up my new qnap!

Nick - I have a lot of screenshots of my QNAP settings (prepared them last year for one of the Forum members). If you email me (email address is in my profile) I can send them over in the evening when I get back home.

Adam

Fantastic - will do!

[@mention:44366773372132405] - very late to reply but I did eventually get round to checking all the settings which you emailed. Thanks very much indeed for helping with this! Sorry to be so slow in posting my thanks...

Hi Adam am interested in your qnap settings pointers  

also anyone actually got experience of the reelaudio power supplies as considering a linear supply for my qnap t251 plus NAS ?

thanks

Just upgraded (of sorts) from a single bay QNAP TS-112 to a QNAP HS-251 2-Bay fanless version and after applying the latest firmware and did notice that there are a few apps I cannot "stop". I cannot seem to find where to turn them off. I think I only need two apps, Java and MinimServer. I've attached a screenshot.

If you click the down arrows you get an option to delete them. I've removed a few but am not sure how many have to stay. 

Matthew Johns posted:

Hi Adam am interested in your qnap settings pointers  

also anyone actually got experience of the reelaudio power supplies as considering a linear supply for my qnap t251 plus NAS ?

thanks

Feel free to email me (email address is in my profile) - I can send the screenshots over.

Adam

Hungryhalibut posted:

If you click the down arrows you get an option to delete them. I've removed a few but am not sure how many have to stay. 

I'm not sitting at my NAS right now, but in addition to what HH says, I think you might want to disable the Media Library. There's some stuff in the Entertainment or Multimedia settings which duplicates what you have/need if you're using another player like Minim or Asset.

nickpeacock posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

If you click the down arrows you get an option to delete them. I've removed a few but am not sure how many have to stay. 

I'm not sitting at my NAS right now, but in addition to what HH says, I think you might want to disable the Media Library. There's some stuff in the Entertainment or Multimedia settings which duplicates what you have/need if you're using another player like Minim or Asset.

Correct you are! Everything except Media Library (first tab on the left) was turned off. Found in Control Panel -> Multimedia Management. You will see a handful of tabs you can deactivate.

As for the apps on my login screen, the down arrow does not remove the two apps (SSL certificate and Resource Monitor) but it seems like they are not running. The Help Desk and Qsync Central were deactivated but kept the Network & Virtual Switch active as I think its required.

Just want to offer a tip as well. I highly recommend backing up your user, system settings and configuration file. This can can found in Control Panel -> Backup/Restore. 

Adam Zielinski posted:

Matthew Johns posted:

Hi Adam am interested in your qnap settings pointers  

also anyone actually got experience of the reelaudio power supplies as considering a linear supply for my qnap t251 plus NAS ?

thanks

Feel free to email me (email address is in my profile) - I can send the screenshots over.

Adam

hi adam, emailed you 

again thx for offer

Mat 

Matthew Johns posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Matthew Johns posted:

Hi Adam am interested in your qnap settings pointers  

also anyone actually got experience of the reelaudio power supplies as considering a linear supply for my qnap t251 plus NAS ?

thanks

Feel free to email me (email address is in my profile) - I can send the screenshots over.

Adam

hi adam, emailed you 

 

again thx for offer

 

Mat 

thx for the files adam very useful, something that never even considered to be honsest 

also as per HH gone and switched to premium Asset upnp for the auto scan and update / easier browsing options - already prefer over minim