Server/streamer advice

[Johnny nocash]

Hi folks,
It seems the vast majority of streamers/servers only work with NAS drives. I don't actually stream but would like to get the best sound I can out of my cd ripped WAV files which are on a western digital hard drive. I don't want to use my laptop. I currently use a Cambridge 851N streamer which is superb but I wonder if there's anything even better out there which can read directly from an external hard drive.
I have a couple of DACs but suggestions of equipment that has its own Dac are welcome too.

[Lawrence001]

I've just bought an SOtM 200 but there are more expensive models. I'll find out soon how good it is with ripped files, apparently it can be a bit slow.

[mightymonoped]

Richard,

There are a lot of fans on here recommending Raspberry Pi systems, with Allo and PecanPi options being particular favourites. Something well worth exploring I think.

[ReggieB]

If you're haven't considered Raspberry Pi before, I think this video gives a good overview.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BUjj2mZ4o0

[Johnny nocash]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Unfortunately I'm not going down the Raspberry route. The SOtM look interesting & have noticed there's been a couple for sale recently, I await your findings Lawrence.
I may have to consider a NAS drive to enable me to improve on the Cambridge. My virgin router only has Ethernet connections (no USB).... Any recommendations? Cheers

[Mr.Ian]

VM hubs really need to run in modem mode with a third party wifi router attached. Stick a thirdy party wifi router on it and you get usb plus better internet and wifi. Draytek gear is brilliant

[eatapeach]

Hi folks,
It seems the vast majority of streamers/servers only work with NAS drives. I don't actually stream but would like to get the best sound I can out of my cd ripped WAV files which are on a western digital hard drive. I don't want to use my laptop. I currently use a Cambridge 851N streamer which is superb but I wonder if there's anything even better out there which can read directly from an external hard drive.
I have a couple of DACs but suggestions of equipment that has its own Dac are welcome too.

Surely it's all down to cost? You already have a very capable streamer - I don't understand why you want to look at other options for a streamer?

You have .wav files so probably the cheapest option is a NAS. I've got a £100 Western Digital which is cheap as chips and probably sneered at by audiophiles, but then again it's sat there for 4 years untouched serving up mp3 files - some from youtube, some from lost CDs ripped to mp3 (who knew ?)

But surely a NAS is the most obvious choice?

[Mr.Ian]

Can get a new synoligy ds120 for under £100 plus drive cost.

[Made in 1968]

I bought a Phantom Raspberry Blower when they first appeared, i found it unnecessarily complicated.. I just use a Small Dell PC with HRT streamer. All Files are on outboard Hard Drive. Ive replaced the PC internal HDD for SSD the PC now loads instantly. Sounds super..

[eatapeach]

Can get a new synoligy ds120 for under £100 plus drive cost.

I just checked my NAS - 2tb and I have hardly started to use that amount of capacity.
The Synology with 2tb WD Red disk installed is £186...... or just buy the bare drive chassis and put your disk in there. If it was me I'd buy a 2 disk drive enclosure and keep a copy of my files on one.

[Johnny nocash]

Thanks for the responses folks.
I think you're right eatapeach, the Cambridge is really good .... I guess I've developed ' the grass is greener...' Problem.
Thanks for the virgin hub info Mr Ian. Well worth knowing for the future.
Apologies for what is probably a dumb question..
Do all NAS drives require a USB connection or can they work off Ethernet?

[Mr.Ian]

Connect via lan ethernet cable

[mightymonoped]

Thanks for the responses folks.
I think you're right eatapeach, the Cambridge is really good .... I guess I've developed ' the grass is greener...' Problem.
Thanks for the virgin hub info Mr Ian. Well worth knowing for the future.
Apologies for what is probably a dumb question..
Do all NAS drives require a USB connection or can they work off Ethernet?

NAS is a three letter acronym for Network Attached Storage. It is generally used to refer to any drive which is not directly attached to a computer but is accessed by a network. Generally, if you are a home user or small business, this will be via Ethernet. USB drives are by their very connection 'local' storage attached to a computer of some kind, although an exception to this would be to attach via USB to a router which has a USB port for such purposes (e.g. a BT Homehub or a Draytek Vigor). In such a case, the USB connection effectively puts the drive 'onto' the network and it can act as Network Attached Storage.

In general use, USB equals local and NAS equals Networked.

[Ali Tait]

Thanks for the responses folks.
I think you're right eatapeach, the Cambridge is really good .... I guess I've developed ' the grass is greener...' Problem.
Thanks for the virgin hub info Mr Ian. Well worth knowing for the future.
Apologies for what is probably a dumb question..
Do all NAS drives require a USB connection or can they work off Ethernet?

They can be either. I use a Drobo, not the cheapest solution but there are plenty secondhand on ebay. Good thing with these is that they automatically back up the data stored on them between the hard drives, so you can lose a drive or even two without losing anything, just replace the drive and off you go. As with many NAS, the fan can be a bit noisy if you have it in the same room - I replaced the fan in mine with a Noctua silent fan, it's as quiet as a quiet thing now. :-)