Qnap vs. Synology

I bought Synology (well 2 of them - the second to act as a timed back-up of the main one).

It was a little cheaper than the equivalent QNAP, but more importantly I was a little spooked by all the old comments about the Twonky software on QNAP, though current versions of the Twonky software are probably much better these days.  The Synology kit has superb software for setting up the NAS, works well as a upnp server and acts as an itunes server, all of which I was looking for at the time.  So, I have 2 of them (DS212+ and a DS212 for backups) and am very happy.

However, this is not to say that Synology is better than QNAP.  Naim and Linn both recommend QNAP NAS drives and do so for very good reasons.  So it's really a choice between good & good.

Best regards, FT

I have a qnap, and as the above says i am not saying its better than the other.

I will tell you its better than drobo, because it is.

The twonky is fine, i also have it set up toback up via ftp to drives attached else where, and i can access it at work, and play music from it anywhere i have wireless on my ipad, and my friends and family have access to the photos i make available to them..

I particuarly like the abilty to select something and make it available as a download link for someone.

Its quick, typically 50MB/s down and 20 up, an. Touch wood goes for month after month with nary a hitch.

I have a Synology DS212j and whilst I can't say it's better than a QNAP unit, I can definitely recommend Synology.

The software is excellent, including the UPnP server, which I use to transcode FLAC to WAV.  DS Audio can also stream FLACs to my iPad/iPod for listening via headphones.  It can do this over the LAN or Internet whilst away from home (although to be honest I haven't quite worked out how to do it over the internet properly yet!!!).

For audio streaming, the latest 'J' models are more than adequate in terms of processing power.

was just comparing what's out there, and all other things being equal it looks like qnap's hardware is more competitively priced today. $300 gets you a better qnap system than a synology system.

512MB RAM vs. 256 MB. 2 Ghz processor vs. 1.6 Ghz.

In fact $500 should get me an 2.2 Ghz Intel dual core processor in a month.

I guess I'll go with QNAP, and wait for the x69 series to come out in a 2 bay model.

Now, the dual core processor might be overkill, but when we're dealing with a hobby where a snaic costs $245, I'd rather go with an overspecified unit. Still a lot cheaper than the unitiserv. :-)

Or just get a Vortexbox.

Does exactly what it says on the tin.

I know the QNAP is recommended by technical staff at Naim, though some Naim dealers also recommend the Synology based upon their experience.

A couple of questions regarding Synology (DS212j) set up:

1) The DSM software, once installed, asks for a username and password in order to connect to the NAS.  What are they? Something as simple as "admin" and "1234", respectively, does not work, and the manual does not (evidently) explain this.

2) How does one set up the Synology to transcode FLAC files to WAV?

Many thanks in advance!

I prefer QNAP ... because QNAPs look a lot better

On my Synology I use admin as username and then I had to use the same password that I have for my laptop. Thanks!

When first installing the DSM software on your computer (either MAC or PC), it gives you the option to set your own admin password.

For transcoding from FLAC to WAV, page 115 of the Diskstation user guide shows you how to do this.  In summary, from the DSM home screen as viewed via your web browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari etc.) go to:

1. "Control Panel", then
2. select "Media Server"  - the icon at bottom left of the new window, then
3. select the "Media Server" tab and tick the box for "Enable DLNA/UPnP server", then
4. select the "DMA Compatibility" tab at the top of the window, then
5. tick the boxes next to the formats that you wish to transcode to WAV.

Hope this helps, FT

Bought a QNAP TS112 yesterday. Eventually got it up and running but I I've hit a snag. I am unable to upload folders from my PC. Using Web File Manager, I'm able to browse folders and subfolders but only able to upload when I reach the music file. Try dragging and dropping folders but that doesn't work, neither does copy and paste.

Now managed to load squeezebox server onto the NAS and transfer media from PC using something called Netbak Replicator.

The one criticism I have of the QNAP is, it comes with a quick install guide, which goes no further than how to hook it up and switch on and a 500+ page PDF instruction manual which is very detailed and technical. Something in between would have been useful.

Ask away I can help. Mine is pretty much doing everything its able too.

I even had it webdaving at one point so I could navigate it like a normal finder window (on mac) when on WAN, but it was a bit slow.

Garyi.

I didn't want it to do everything it's able to do, just wanted it to run a SBTouch and back up my docs from the PC.

I doubt you'd be able to explain thing down at my level. don't know the terms webdaving and findow finder, but I do understand the term "a bit slow".