Probably a minority view - but use what ever NAS you want and mount it using a separate media server. That way you can optimise and ensure best sound quality by keeping it well away from the NAS. I have always found using a media server strapped into the embedded machine in consumer NASs less than ideal - but others seem to be fine with it - although perhaps some of those people are migrating to Melco which might underline my point.

I use two Netgear NASs and mount them using a RaspberyPi microserver over the ethernet. I use Asset and MinimServer. I used to use  Asset on a WindowsHomeServer accessing my NAS and it worked for several years before it failed - it also sounded great.

I used to take the same approach as Simon, i.e separate the the server from the music files. This was to a Netgear Readynas 104.

However since purchasing a Qnap TS453  pro I have Asset and Minimserver running on the NAS and prefer this arrangement. It seems faster and more reliable.

I would recommend Qnap over Synology for the only reason that you have the choice of the two best UPNP servers (Asset and Minimserver) wheras Synology only offers Minimserver. Both are excellent devices though.

Richard

As you are asking your question it indicates you are not so familiar with computers,  therefore I would not agree with Simon's suggestion until you are more familiar - in the meantime as you are just starting keep it simple.

Qnap & Synology are both very good,  Qnap can load Asset & Minimserver UPnP server software,  however I use Synology who have preloaded Minimserver & their own Media Server UPnP/DLNA - & thats the one I use & its very simple & easy & unlike all the other UPnP software it is integrated into the Synology OS & gets regular updates automatically.  However it is not good if you use FLAC or ALAC & want to transcode gapless & in 24-bit to WAV,  in that case I would advise to use Minimserver UPnP.    

For the moment I would not consider SSD & would stay with HDD,  WD "RED" drives are the best.  But SSD is getting better, cheaper & more suitable for audio NAS operation,  but I expect some time in the future SSD will become standard with audio NAS.

Finally remember - BACKUP.   Back up is essential insurance & like all insurance you hope never to need it.  

hello,

yes, sorry I'm a bit a computer illiterate.

Files ripped are .aiff , Macbook pro wired to UQ at the moment and wifi internet.

Which Specs would be suitable? 

this one the very latest : www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Qnap-TS-228-1-1GHz-2-bay-NAS-Se…

or this one which is a little cheaper but older.. 

QNAP TS-212P 0/2HDD Tower NAS

or else?

Both are good NAS units

I would be a little concerned with .aiff files,  I understand from other forum posts that you might have some problems.  But I'm not an .aiff expert so advise you search on the forum & www & maybe think about converting to another format 

Last item is wireless,  you will never get the best from your streaming with wireless,  it will be OK for 16-bit if its at optimum, but it will most likely start to get into trouble for 24-bit from 96kHz & higher

wireless concernes me a little . I prefer using the qute wired to the mac either than wifi. Also use upnp playback on mac at the moment.

woul i have best results as well for redbook even if not having a router? Just matching the qute to the nas with cat 5? Or wireless line is in any case an issue performance wise?

Ciao Antonio1  -   You need to connect the router & wireless to enable your control point (iPad/Phone/Android) & the Naim app to function.    It can work with the Naim remote,  but that is a pain to need to look closely at the screen,  the remote is really intended for changing player settings & updates.  

The very basic connection is with two ethernets - NAS to Router to Naim Player - ideally these two connections should be ethernet,  but the Router to Naim Player can be made over wireless,  but if possible avoid as it has limitations with HD data streams (24-bit).

It can (possibly) be made easier if you use a network switch (it will be faster & (maybe) sound better as the audio data stream does not go via the router)  It gives you the option of a possible simpler routing of cables as it only needs one ethernet connected to the router  - see the schematic - the ethernet can be (more expense) a wireless link from switch to router & that does not have a detrimental effect on sound.   

Hi,

When you talk about router , is it a separate one I need to buy and match the two units? Which one you advice in case? 

The internet in use is the one sharing with the neighbor ,he has a modern or router at home , the signal is strong  I get it through wifi.

Sharing a wifi service with a neighbour is unusual & I'm not sure how you will be best advised to proceed.   Its not ideal to get the best out of streaming that's for sure.  I advise you need to have a rethink about this as it really is very unusual.  It might be possible with ethernet between NAS, switch & Player & a wifi extender on the switch thats connecting to your neighbours router,  but I did say "might be possible".  Other than that I really cannot help much on this ............. sorry

I'm using a Thecus NAS with WiFi - the only problem being that the Naim App cannot always find my ND5 XS.

QNAP HS-251 Silent NAS - easy to set up.

Use 3rd party software, like MinimServer.

@Antonio1 - chances are your neighbours' ISP has a no-sharing stipulation in their terms and conditions - or (how do I put this?), perhaps your neighbours aren't aware of the service they're providing to you?

Either way, much better to get your own, and then you can control it - follow @Mike-B's advice above.

If you must go wireless, then of course it's possible, just not ideal. And Synology or Qnap are the ways to go. I've said this before many times: lots of folks on the forum have lots of lesser-known NAS that they use and love, and that's great. But if you pick a little-used brand then it's much harder to get support from anyone - the manufacturer, Naim or this forum. If you get Syno or Qnap they'll perform at least as well as anything else out there and there's abundant help if you're stuck. They're the way to go.

hi,

thanks for the thoughtful advice.

Just to clarify I've just moved that's way I'm asking for a temporary solution until I make up my mind ,also it will take up to one month at least to sort everything out.

Anyway the QNAP HS-251 is still too expensive for me, is the latest Qnap ts-228 the way to go ? As far as you know the one which will replace the 212P or to have the best specs.? I know it's a long shot as nobody has tried it but prefer to have the latest equipment you know as it works in the informatics world ..

Antonio

Don't think short-term. You can purchase a NAS which will serve you going forward.

Don't forget you will also need to buy at least one hard-drive, which is NAS-compatible,

Adam

hi,

you should read ; looking for a long-term audio solution

It's the wifi the short term solution until I carefully choose an ISP.

So, is the Qnap ts-228 the way to go ? 

No need to place into the same room ,though.

Also I may have a WD hd I could use but must verify, no need to fit two HD now though, as I'm keeping the data stored in my mac, too.

You need to make sure that the HD you put in a NAS is supported/qualified by the NAS manufacturer else you can get rubbish performance or other weird things happen that can ruin any streaming. As mentioned, WD Red drives are usually supported as they were designed for NAS, and are quite reasonably priced unless you want the latest large-TB versions. 

Antonio1 posted:

hi,

 

So, is the Qnap ts-228 the way to go ? 

 

 

I dont' have any strong opinions on this one - seems to be OK (at least specs are OK). I chose the flat version (the silent NAS from QNAP) for a practical reason - it fits on a shelf in my rack

ok guys,

Qnap TS 228

also going to match this: WD WD10EFRX

all ethernet wired .

What ya think?

1 Terabyte is a lot of CDs, but think carefully about weather this is enough in the long term, especially if you start to download hi-res music, which has much larger file sizes.

I suggest you go with a 3TB drive. It costs so little extra. I downloaded a 24 bit 192k album yesterday and it was over 3GB in size, which is the same as about ten CD rips. WD Reds are the ones to get, so you are on the right track, but just get bigger. 

Yes I say 2TB or 3TB... it is a huge amount of CDs and hidef recordings - and even more if you store in FLAC or ALAC.

I use 2TB here and I have (excluding a handful of DSD albums)  20,797 tracks within 1344 albums and its just over about 50% utilised.

Just remember you need the same space available on what ever device you use to back up. Also if you use incremental backups you could  set your main NAS as spanned as opposed to mirrored. (although a mirrored NAS is not of course a backed up NAS)