UnitiServe: should it stay or should it go?

Thanks Chris, I have to say it's a bit scary without the Serve, which is a bit like a Naim nappy. Hopefully I'm now sufficiently potty trained to cope in the big bad world.

Synology is earthed through its SMPS - its 0vDC is E & that is connected to its RJ45 ethernet port. 

If you have an all Cat7 - (like you do) - & your switch has shrouded RJ45 ports that carry thru the ethernet screen, then the screen is connected to your earthed ethernet port SuperUniti   that means you have two earth's (grounds) on your ethernet,  & that is not good, especially if your NAS is on a separate power supply from the streamer as the ethernet screen is then most likely carrying a potential difference.  

Thanks Mike. Assuming I don't use the TP supply, what should I do to resolve the earth issue? Can you keep it simple?

Hi HH,  I use a UTP M/F connector from Lindy (www store)

http://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-...utp-adapter-up-p8227

http://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-...p-adapter-down-p8228

NB:  there are two orientation versions, up&down (left&right),   so you would need to check your Synology ports cable orientation & how you want yr cable dressed.

Or you can use a short section of Cat6 UTP with a RJ45 F/F connector at yr Synology  

The other consideration is your switch,  what make/model ???  If it does not have shielded ports that carry the screen thru,  then the ethernet ground is not an issue as the switch prevents an all net screen.  And in that case a grounded 0v at the Synology is a good thing

(if yr unsure,  let me know the make/model & I will find out in minutes)

My switch is the good old Netgear GS105.

If I do need the Lindy thingy, would it actually remove the SQ improvements I get from the AQ cables, or would the removal of the earth issue be more significant?

Thanks again.

Nigel

I am risk averse so would probably leave alone. You have already established that the Synology sounds as good as the Unitiserve so is there more to be gained?

if you are going to experiment I would suggest that you get your backup in place first, just in case you have an issue and something gets fried!

Richard

This is one of the issues that comes about with using screened cables in this sort of environment - it adds a layer of complexity that isn't really needed.

HH - Follow Mikes solution with the Lindy Adapter - it won't do any harm and won't undo the good results from your AQ cables. 

GS105 (same as me) carries the screen, so you would be better isolating the Synology screen connection to the 0v(DC) & protective earth & have the screen grounded at the one point at the SuperUniti

The Lindy thingy does not remove any SQ,  depending of how & where your existing two earth's are w.r.t. each of their power circuits,   you might even find an improvement.  

If your n a s supports Usb 3.0 be sure to get such a drive. Much faster than 2.0!

One final question - if I use the TP to power the Synology, is there any point in the Lindy thingy? I'm really not sure from reading 40 Below's post above.

The drive is indeed USB 3, though I've no idea if the nas supports that - I guess it can't do any harm though. If I get a new NAS at some point at least the backup will be future proofed. Once I've got a backup, I'll probably get a a second one to keep at work, just in case.....

Provided the mains earth does not carry thru to Synology 0v (DC),  its OK

You need a man with a meter to determine that,  so probably best e-mail TP 

I believe you did the right thing getting rid of it, the money can be used a lot more effectively.

Hello HH.  I've been using a Synology NAS for a few years now and can recommend it! However I have only just started to use its Media Server as it seems to have improved as a result of a few updates (I have mainly used Logitech Media Server). I also get those pesky file extensions after each song so please post back if you get a solution.  Would also like to know how to generate playlists within it rather than use the Naim app?

pixies & HH,  what do you mean by "file extensions" ?

A file extension is   .flac or .wav etc, is that what you see & if so where ?? 'cause I don't 

Ahha,  I see.  Are you transcoding ???

Hi Mike-B. Yes I am transcoding flac files to WAV. Do think this is the issue?

That's interesting,  mine only shows the file type if I click on the now playing option, and I am transcoding

I don't transcode,  I'm all .wav,  but I keep one side copy .flac just for when needed & that does not show its file extensions if I play it straight or transcoded

So we all understand,  wots "now playing" ??

Is that in the app ?? & where/how  ?? 

In my screen shot above, the track in the bottom bar is actually playing. The server is transcoding from FLAC to WAV, and even when playing in WAV it has the FLAC extension.

I thought it might be something to do witht he fact that the albums were UnitiServe rips, but my downloads and dB Poweramp rips are all the same, albeit say flac instead of FLAC. Any help would, needless to say, be much appreciated. If I can't get rid of them I may try Minimserver.

Hmmm. I use Media Server too, but don't get that. In Media Server>Browsing Settings I have "Music display format" set to Track - Title/Artist - Album and the track element is just that.

if you go to File Station and right click on a track, then click Edit music information, what does it say in the Title field? It should just be the track name not track name.extension.

HI HH,   I have just copied a track (Eagles "Get Over It") into a test folder.

I've converted that to .flac (default 5 compression) & .flac (uncompressed)

Without transcoding box(s) checked (ticked) on Synology DSM,  all three tracks show the same & have no file extension displaying

I then checked the DSM transcode box,  now I see one track (the .wav) with no file extension,  but the other two tracks (.flac 5 & .flac UC)  both show the file extensions - lower case .flac

I will keep working at it between other domestic stuff.

Gary;  File Station does not have the edit feature as you suggest - the tracks show the file extension. 

I have the Music Display Format set to Track (only) & I get just that,  but with transcoding a .flac file,  it shows .flac - but shows nothing with a .wav file

Well I removed the transcoding option within music server and the file extensions have gone (all my music is originally ripped as flac via dbpoweamp). So its as Mike-B says above, it showing what original format is being transcoded I guess?

That just be right - I have a few WAV albums and they don't have an extension. Thanks.