NAS, TCP windowing parameters and sound quality

Posted by: Josey McWales on 13 May 2017

I have read in some old threads that TCP windowing parameters affect sound quality (https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-nas-different-sound. The threads was closed so I can't reply there and I decided to start a new one.

If TCP windowing affect sound quality is there any way to change the parameters and set them the best way in a QNAP NAS ?

Thank you

 

Posted on: 14 May 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk

I don't believe so, no. The main variables seem to be the timing, speed of frame transfer and TCP latency... and depending on this speed the Naim streamer tends to work in one of two pattern types of TCP transfer.. with one on the whole sounding better than the other to my ears (FLAC vs WAV type sound differences). Of course this could change with future firmwares.

The frame timing and speed of transfer does seem to be determined in my measurements, by the combination of particular media servers running on specific OS/hardware platforms.

Posted on: 14 May 2017 by Josey McWales

Is there any old thread where combination of media servers/ platform were discussed or what combination that you tested work best for you ? 

Posted on: 15 May 2017 by Josey McWales
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I don't believe so, no. The main variables seem to be the timing, speed of frame transfer and TCP latency... and depending on this speed the Naim streamer tends to work in one of two pattern types of TCP transfer.. with one on the whole sounding better than the other to my ears (FLAC vs WAV type sound differences). Of course this could change with future firmwares.

The frame timing and speed of transfer does seem to be determined in my measurements, by the combination of particular media servers running on specific OS/hardware platforms.

also in this thread: 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...73#25360285694607973

you wrote that one of the upnp servers had auto configured to half duplex. How is it possible to check that ?

Posted on: 15 May 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Most likely to be caused by open circuit connection on one of the patch cable twisted pairs or a NIC card incompatibility. The latter is unusual these days but not impossible.