Transcode to WAV and filenames

That's what happened when I used Mediaserver. You'll also find that it doesn't play gapless albums properly when you transcode. 

Id suggest that you load Minimserver. It's a bit fiddly to start with, but really superb. You'll get better sound, gapless and no annoying file extensions. It's far easier to navigate too. 

Installed it (not easy indeed) and it sounds and looks good. I'll use it for a while and see how it goes. Thanks for the tip!

Just moved from media server to MinimServer today, very nice.

Apologise for abusing of this tread, one feature I miss from media server is the 'recently added' list usually available with the advanced setup. It simply list the recent added music within the Naim app.

Any way to get it also under MinimServer?

This issue was raised on the Minim forum and the author is going to see if it can be added, but at the moment it isn't possible. It's a shame as I find that very useful (that and the instant update in Media Server).

Edit: for those reasons I use both!

I agree. Minim is great, butter he 'latest 50' would be a really useful addition. I downloaded four albums and ripped two CDs today, and it's so easy for them to be lost before having a chance to really get to know them. 

I have NDX and NAS Synology. Is it possible to transcode to WAVE without installing Minimserver?

Is it tricky to install it? Should something be installed on PC? Can it be switched on when playing WAVE or off I would like to come back to FLAC. Sorry for maybe silly question...

Yes, you can use the built-in media server in Synology to transcode. It works fine, but you will hit the issues above that may or may not annoy you, ie no gapless and the .flac file extensions.

If you go for Minim instead, you install programmes on the Syno NAS: Minimserver and Minimstreamer. You should also install Minimwatch on a PC to provide control. You also need Java running on the NAS. Installation is quite fiddly, but there are instructions on the Minimserver site and it's no trouble once installed.

You can switch on/off transcoding using the settings, but in practice you won't bother.

I use Minimserver because I like the SQ and want gapless. It was worth the trouble to install it for me.

Also a user of Minim on my Synology with great success 

One thing I did only notice this weekend though is transcoding 24/44.1 albums (London Grammar- If you wait) shows the same data stream size (1141kb/s from memory) as a standard CD rip? Is this right...

i beleive it is transcoding Hi-res files correctly as the last Sprinsteen concert I bought (Brendan Byrne Arena 1984) comes through at around 6100kb/s

It should show as 2116 (24 x 44.1 x 2). 

In in the stream.transcode box under the system tab it should say flac:wav 

This will preserve the native bit rate. 

I'll check that Hh .... Cheers

I am on the latest DSM5.2  and agree with the irritating filenames.  

Not sure if this can be changed though but it transcodes to WAV fine (including 24/192 files). However, it does not do gapless playback.

If you are transcoding, you are stuck with them I'm afraid. Minim is the answer. Easier to use (once set up) and sounds better too. 

Made a tweak to setting in Minimwatch and now it's working !! Well I'm getting the full data stream size anyway ..... Thanks Hh

After fiddling with Minimserver during the weekend, these are my thoughts:

The soundquality with conversion flac>wav is absolutely superb. No .flac extensions anymore and perfect gapless playback. Also it does not have the bug of merging albums with the same album name (but different artist) in album view.

However I find it very hard to set up the folder/container structure. I spend hours figuring out the userguide but i cannot get the folder structure the way I want. I like my structure more or less the same as the Synology media server which is fine.

Secondly I found out that streaming wav files directly with the Synology media server does sound a tiny bit better than the 'on the fly' coverted flacs from Minimserver. I am wondering if it makes sense to convert all my flac files to wav and use the synology media server exclusively (I use it also for video).

Does anybody use wav files instead of flacs?

There are some users here in the forum that use original wav files instead of on the fly transcoded flac files as I have read. I wonder if you really can hear a difference, as it is hard for me to find an explanation for it. Did you try a blind test? (Let someone else add each track (flac and wav) several times in random order to a playlist and find out which one is what format. Write it down and compare it to the the playlist afterwards.)

Also you can try wav24 or lpcm (lpcm24?) in minimwatch as transcode target and check if this makes a difference, too? (cannot remember the right format names. Check the manual for these.)

When I started with my NDX & Synology DS214 using Synology's own Media Server (not MinimServer) & I loaded a few ripped albums in both .wav & .flac to decide on which format to use

I tried .flac straight,  .flac transcoded & straight .wav

I prefered straight .wav,  I felt they had better SQ for my music preferences & on my system. More warmth is a common description,  I hear that as a touch more fullness in bass & what I perceive as more detail & air.   The difference to my ears on my system is small & for many it might be nothing,  & others say its hardly worth bothering.  All true, but I was making a decision & that's why I loaded all the rest of my collection as .wav & why I now buy or convert to .wav ever since.

I will accept that at the time Synology Media Server was not the best transcoder & that also pushed me into avoiding that problem & going to .wav.

I've since tried MinimServer & OK its does a good job transcoding,  but I not changing as its pointless when you already have exclusively all .wav recordings

Finally I have not found any problems with editing tag/metadata

Thought I'd share my own personal preference of setting up folders under Minim etc... Found it quite simple to add change the look, I do find though that a NAS restart is needed when adding a new folder or folder image.

Drop an image into said artist folder and then rename 'folder' in this case I had a JPEG image..... Then restart the NAS to see it.

It should be enough and quicker to only restart minimserver or even more simple trigger a rescan. Either via minimwatch or e.g. the BubbleUPnP app if you are using an android device.

Very true ... Good point, I only tend to do these as a block of folders 20 or 30 at a time (still ripping my CDs) so a restart from the DSM iOS App isn't too much hassle

@ Gert: I did not do a blind test but I trust my ears :-) native wav over the DSM media server gives a little more air and is maybe more 'CD' like, hard to describe....

The difference between straight wav and transcoded flac via minim is very minimal though and i'm still considering if it is worth the extra discspace.

@ Mr THX: I see you are using the folder structure but I like to use just the Album, Artist , Genre, Year and playlist folders, just like the DSM media server does. If you have a tip I would be very grateful :-)