Dear all,
I am currently connecting my ND5 XS with a Synology 209+. Normally, I use my iPad nStream App to control the play of the music files streamed from the Synology NAS.
Recently, I notice that the Synology also has its own nStream equivalent App in the Apple App Store. This proprietary uPnP App is called the DS Audio and is available for free at the Apple App Store.
By activating the Audio Station feature in the Synology NAS, I can use the DS Audio App to control the playback of songs through the ND5 streamer. In terms of functionality, DS Audio is much better than nStream. For example, its response is much faster. It features a more advanced "search" function. It also has the capability of creating a playlist on the fly.
Having said that, there is a slight "problem". When using the DS Audio App to control the playback, the sound generated seems a bit "thin" and with less attack. If I switch back to use nStream as the remote, the sound seems "fuller". I am not sure if this is caused by the Audio Station and DS Audio App combination. In particular, I am wondering if the sonic difference is attributable to the extra processing when the Audio Station function is activated?
You are welcome to share your view.
Posted on: 18 May 2012 by engjoo
I believe the synology do will down sample the audio file before sending over to the upnp client.
Posted on: 18 May 2012 by bb7668
Dear James and Engjoo,
Thanks for your replies.
My music files are all in AIFF format and the ND5 XS supports this file format. Accordingly, although there is a transcoding option available in the Synology NAS, I did not turn it on.
Further, when the AIFF music files through the control of the Audio Station/DS Audio App, I check the "Stream Info" menu of the Naim. The menu indicates that the music files are playing in their original format and at their native sampling rate.
I really want to understand what causes the sonic difference as I am tempted to use DS Audio to control the playback (instead of relying on the rather primitive nStream). Any further Synology users can share their view?
Posted on: 18 May 2012 by bb7668
Dear James,
I am partnering my ND5 XS with the NAS through wired (CAT. 7) connection.
Dear Woj,
I have double checked the setup page of the Synology NAS and confirmed that the transcoding option has been clearly unchecked. By the way, do you find DS Audio better in terms of functionality?
Posted on: 20 March 2014 by DavidDever
Originally Posted by pcstockton:
you must be hearing things.... The control point cannot affect SQ. That would be akin to saying you CD555 sounds different when you use your middle finger to hit play.
That's not entirely correct–it is possible for a UPnP-compatible control point to override the list order (but not the entries) of the renderer's supported MIME types. It's certainly not elegant, but it is technically possible.
As for CD players–heh heh–there are some who believe that playing a track from pause (where the laser sled is already positioned at the correct track) sounds better than skipping to a track while in play mode.
