Synology DA218J - Topping D10 - Arcam SA20
Discussion
I'm trying to join you digital audiophiles in the 21st Century, but it's not going well.
Digitised a good chunk of my CD collection and have started on my vinyl.
Worried about HD failure so I bought a Synology DS218J and have backed it all up... phew.
The Audio Station app on the Synology can send digital music files out via USB to a DAC. So I could connect the NAS to a DAC and then a line out into my Arcam amp.
So I bought a Topping D10.
So I've got Synology NAS to Topping D10 via a USB, then line out from the Topping into my Arcam SA20's CD input.
All good - except music comes out at double speed.
It was funny for 10 mins until I realised I couldn't sort it out.
Am I doing something stupid here ?
I have faffed about with Plex today but that won't see the DAC. And it's a PitA to configure.
Is this a case of using different software to send files to the DAC (Kodi, Squeezebox etc), or a hardware issue ?
Digitised a good chunk of my CD collection and have started on my vinyl.
Worried about HD failure so I bought a Synology DS218J and have backed it all up... phew.
The Audio Station app on the Synology can send digital music files out via USB to a DAC. So I could connect the NAS to a DAC and then a line out into my Arcam amp.
So I bought a Topping D10.
So I've got Synology NAS to Topping D10 via a USB, then line out from the Topping into my Arcam SA20's CD input.
All good - except music comes out at double speed.
It was funny for 10 mins until I realised I couldn't sort it out.
Am I doing something stupid here ?
I have faffed about with Plex today but that won't see the DAC. And it's a PitA to configure.
Is this a case of using different software to send files to the DAC (Kodi, Squeezebox etc), or a hardware issue ?
How have you ripped the music and in what format? Have you tried playing the files from the NAS via USB/audio station into a laptop to rule out the DAC?
You could also try a different USB port on the NAS - I think the ports on the rear are USB3, front is a USB2 so possibly a driver issue with the Topping.
I have a 718+ and a 214+ purely for media and music although I use Ethernet into a streamer/DAC with a UPNP app - Audio station isn’t too good. I happen to have a Toppind D50 spare to I’ll hunt down a cable and try replicating your issues.
You could also try a different USB port on the NAS - I think the ports on the rear are USB3, front is a USB2 so possibly a driver issue with the Topping.
I have a 718+ and a 214+ purely for media and music although I use Ethernet into a streamer/DAC with a UPNP app - Audio station isn’t too good. I happen to have a Toppind D50 spare to I’ll hunt down a cable and try replicating your issues.
Found a lead, plugged into Topping D50 DAC using both NAS drives and front and rear USB ports and.....
exactly the same fault as you describe - sounds like a chipmunk on speed and the DAC indicates 32 bit PCM when playing 16 and 24 bit files. Definitely a Synology issue with the driver with certain DACs (there’s an ‘approved’ list on their website but hasn’t been updated for years).
Personally, if you’re serious about sound and plan to invest in ripping a large collection I”d invest in a streamer/DAC and network it to your NAS. Control it all with an app on a phone or tablet and avoid using their ropey audio station and USB.
An Rpi would work but there are hundreds to choose from suiting all budgets.
exactly the same fault as you describe - sounds like a chipmunk on speed and the DAC indicates 32 bit PCM when playing 16 and 24 bit files. Definitely a Synology issue with the driver with certain DACs (there’s an ‘approved’ list on their website but hasn’t been updated for years).
Personally, if you’re serious about sound and plan to invest in ripping a large collection I”d invest in a streamer/DAC and network it to your NAS. Control it all with an app on a phone or tablet and avoid using their ropey audio station and USB.
An Rpi would work but there are hundreds to choose from suiting all budgets.
Music is in either MP3 or FLAC formats. (Frankly I cannot hear a difference at my age)
I tried connecting the DAC directly to my laptop and it worked perfectly. so at least the DAC is working perfectly in that situation.
To connect the NAS - laptop as the receiver of the digital file I'll need a type A - type A cable which strangely I don't seem to have.
Everyon other version of USB cable, yes.
So I'll do that tomorrow.
I tried connecting the DAC directly to my laptop and it worked perfectly. so at least the DAC is working perfectly in that situation.
To connect the NAS - laptop as the receiver of the digital file I'll need a type A - type A cable which strangely I don't seem to have.
Everyon other version of USB cable, yes.
So I'll do that tomorrow.
Not sure if you noticed my second post but it doesn’t look like you’ll be able to use your DAC via USB from the Synology NAS I’m afraid.
I couldn’t get my D50 to work via USB no matter which way I tried.
Further reading shows lots of people having the same issue with DACs that aren’t on Synolog’s ‘approved’ list.
A DDC might be your answer - converts USB digital to spdif coax which then inputs into your existing DAC.
I couldn’t get my D50 to work via USB no matter which way I tried.
Further reading shows lots of people having the same issue with DACs that aren’t on Synolog’s ‘approved’ list.
A DDC might be your answer - converts USB digital to spdif coax which then inputs into your existing DAC.
I posted before reading your second post.
Thanks for spending your time confirming this is a Synology issue.
I've taken your advice and started looking at streamers.
Yamaha NPS303 looks OK, but can't run Musicast on my PC. I like to leave my phone in my jacket pocket on an evening and weekend. (I try to keep work and home separate).
The Cambridge CXN (V2) seems popular but it's more expensive than I was hoping for.
Edited to add -
Actually the Yamaha WXAD-10 does pretty much all of this and is a whole lot cheaper. (£120 currently at Peter Tyson)
I could use ethernet cable between my Synology and this box, then RCAs into my amp.
Thanks for spending your time confirming this is a Synology issue.
I've taken your advice and started looking at streamers.
Yamaha NPS303 looks OK, but can't run Musicast on my PC. I like to leave my phone in my jacket pocket on an evening and weekend. (I try to keep work and home separate).
The Cambridge CXN (V2) seems popular but it's more expensive than I was hoping for.
Edited to add -
Actually the Yamaha WXAD-10 does pretty much all of this and is a whole lot cheaper. (£120 currently at Peter Tyson)
I could use ethernet cable between my Synology and this box, then RCAs into my amp.
Edited by 911newbie on Sunday 22 March 09:20
911newbie said:
I posted before reading your second post.
Thanks for spending your time confirming this is a Synology issue.
I've taken your advice and started looking at streamers.
Yamaha NPS303 looks OK, but can't run Musicast on my PC. I like to leave my phone in my jacket pocket on an evening and weekend. (I try to keep work and home separate).
The Cambridge CXN (V2) seems popular but it's more expensive than I was hoping for.
Edited to add -
Actually the Yamaha WXAD-10 does pretty much all of this and is a whole lot cheaper. (£120 currently at Peter Tyson)
I could use ethernet cable between my Synology and this box, then RCAs into my amp.
The CXN V2 are really excellent. A friend just sold his for £400 and there’s nothing to touch them at that price.Thanks for spending your time confirming this is a Synology issue.
I've taken your advice and started looking at streamers.
Yamaha NPS303 looks OK, but can't run Musicast on my PC. I like to leave my phone in my jacket pocket on an evening and weekend. (I try to keep work and home separate).
The Cambridge CXN (V2) seems popular but it's more expensive than I was hoping for.
Edited to add -
Actually the Yamaha WXAD-10 does pretty much all of this and is a whole lot cheaper. (£120 currently at Peter Tyson)
I could use ethernet cable between my Synology and this box, then RCAs into my amp.
Edited by 911newbie on Sunday 22 March 09:20
I don’t know the Yamaha range but I’ve seen others really like them. You’ve also got the Topping which could act as a DAC if you prefer the sound that way.
I’m not sure if you can plug the NAS directly to a streamer - the norm is NAS to router/switch then switch to streamer either wired Ethernet of WiFi. I much prefer Ethernet.
A little tip - using a tablet with a suitable app to control your music is a much better experience than a laptop, remote or phone. I bought a refur’b Kindle Fire HD for £30 from Amazon purely to act as a remote/controller for my CA streamer. Much much better than a small phone (which can stay in your pocket).
Another little tip - the media servers on Synology work to a degree but there is far better out there! I’m not sure of you model but the BEST thing I did was add Minim Server or Asett Server to my MAS boxes. They excellent, Minim is free, Asett has a free trial and the make the whole process smoother, quicker and easier. There are relatively simple instructions online explaining how to add these apps to your Synology.
Enjoy. These small things have transformed my music listening over the years.
The Synology NAS is connected to a small switch and on into my network, so no need to connect the streamer via USB.
Noted re a tablet. The only issue here is that I'll be switching from the tablet for any streaming music, to a remote for diretc CD, and then getting up and walking over to the turntable.
But if I run a media server on the NAS then I'll be using a tablet for sure.
... and now just to make things more complicated I may be in the market for a new CD player too. I am toying with gifting my sister who has zero hi fi stuff but would love a system it I'm sure, an old Marantz amp plus my current Marantz CD player and an old pair of Q Acoustics 3020s.
Worth investigating a combined CD player and streamer ?
Like the Arcam CDS50 ???
Or separate CD player + streamer ???
Noted re a tablet. The only issue here is that I'll be switching from the tablet for any streaming music, to a remote for diretc CD, and then getting up and walking over to the turntable.
But if I run a media server on the NAS then I'll be using a tablet for sure.
... and now just to make things more complicated I may be in the market for a new CD player too. I am toying with gifting my sister who has zero hi fi stuff but would love a system it I'm sure, an old Marantz amp plus my current Marantz CD player and an old pair of Q Acoustics 3020s.
Worth investigating a combined CD player and streamer ?
Like the Arcam CDS50 ???
Or separate CD player + streamer ???
Most, if not all streamers have digital inputs to access the on-board DACs (very good DACs in the case of the CXN). A reasonably cheap, well built and robust CD player could act as a ‘transport’ feeding the digital output to the streamer.
Cambridge Audio make a matching CD transport that is quite good but even a £20 Amazon DVD player would do the job.
Cambridge Audio make a matching CD transport that is quite good but even a £20 Amazon DVD player would do the job.
Connect the SA20 to your network via Ethernet or Wireless.
Connect the NAS to the same Network.
Turn off the Audio Station Package and instead run the Media Server Package. You will need to let it index your audio files.
The SA20 will have an IP address that you can access via the system settings menu.
If you go to that location in a web browser you will see a tab for the web client. From there you should be able to navigate to your music folders and play what you want. The SA20 has a pretty good DAC in it.
Apologies if I've misread anything but this should get you up and running. I've had the SA30 (although it's had to go back), and this is how I had it running before I invested in a Bluesound node 2i
Hope these steps work for you.
If you don't want to stretch to the Cambridge then I can recommend the Teufel Connector. Plugs straight into the back of an amp (digital or analogue) and connects to your network by cable or wireless. Comes in at just over £100, has a pretty good a Cyrus DAC and the killer for me was it has Chromecast built in so it works with all my other Google home stuff - voice commands to play, for volume etc
I have mine streaming Spotify, Tunein, my own stuff from my NAS and some tracks on a USB stick plugged directly into the back of it.
I have mine streaming Spotify, Tunein, my own stuff from my NAS and some tracks on a USB stick plugged directly into the back of it.
None available on the Teufel site, so I went looking elsewhere.
Amazon.de had some, but amazon.co.uk not.
In the end I made an offer on a refurbished (ie second hand no doubt) one on ebay. Some dodgy blokes up in Leicester.
I made the offer on ebay before I found those on amazon.de, and once the seller acepts you're committed.
I probably deserve everything I get.
Amazon.de had some, but amazon.co.uk not.
In the end I made an offer on a refurbished (ie second hand no doubt) one on ebay. Some dodgy blokes up in Leicester.
I made the offer on ebay before I found those on amazon.de, and once the seller acepts you're committed.
I probably deserve everything I get.
Thanks for recommendation of the Ramufeld Teufel connector.
Picke done up via Ebay for £90, and its working now playing some lovely tunes from Hiroshi Yoshimura right now.
Ahh pure high quality bliss .....
All worked pretty well with only some minor problems like displaying album cover art.
Cheers guys !!
Picke done up via Ebay for £90, and its working now playing some lovely tunes from Hiroshi Yoshimura right now.
Ahh pure high quality bliss .....
All worked pretty well with only some minor problems like displaying album cover art.
Cheers guys !!
Picking this up again, rather than starting a new thread - I'd like to add a decent quality streamer to my setup. I've got an NAD pre/power amp combo I'm happy with, so I don't need a receiver as such.
I'm currently using a Jongo to access music on my NAS attached to the router, but I'd like something higher quality that also does Tidal. Don't want to break the bank so max £500. There's so many options out there, but most seem to be an all-in-one box which I don't need.
Any ideas?
I'm currently using a Jongo to access music on my NAS attached to the router, but I'd like something higher quality that also does Tidal. Don't want to break the bank so max £500. There's so many options out there, but most seem to be an all-in-one box which I don't need.
Any ideas?
At around that budget there are two that spring to mind:
Cambridge Audio CXN V2
Bluesound Node 2i
I only have experience of the CXN V2 (and the higher range 851N which is excellent). The only thing missing from the CXN is MQA compatibility to access the Tidal Masters (although the Mconnect app on a tablet gives access to higher than CD quality streams from Tidal servers).
Personally, that’s no issue as I don’t really like the idea of MQA (not worth getting into it here but it’s not true high-definition - Qubuz is!) and I’m firm believer in mastering quality > file size.
The Nord 2i is well regarded and is a viable option.
Some of the main players offer streamers under your budget too but it’s been years since I listened to them - I had an early Marantz model and also a Pioneer N50. Decent sound from both but (the Pioneer in particular) plagued with app issues, lack of gapless playback etc.
I expect the newer versions will be sorted by now.
I can recommend the CA CXN V2. Good app, excellent support (they’ve added embedded Qobuz hi-res recently and think they’re well on the way to adding Roon end-point compatibility if they haven’t already done so) and, vitally, really good sound.
Cambridge Audio CXN V2
Bluesound Node 2i
I only have experience of the CXN V2 (and the higher range 851N which is excellent). The only thing missing from the CXN is MQA compatibility to access the Tidal Masters (although the Mconnect app on a tablet gives access to higher than CD quality streams from Tidal servers).
Personally, that’s no issue as I don’t really like the idea of MQA (not worth getting into it here but it’s not true high-definition - Qubuz is!) and I’m firm believer in mastering quality > file size.
The Nord 2i is well regarded and is a viable option.
Some of the main players offer streamers under your budget too but it’s been years since I listened to them - I had an early Marantz model and also a Pioneer N50. Decent sound from both but (the Pioneer in particular) plagued with app issues, lack of gapless playback etc.
I expect the newer versions will be sorted by now.
I can recommend the CA CXN V2. Good app, excellent support (they’ve added embedded Qobuz hi-res recently and think they’re well on the way to adding Roon end-point compatibility if they haven’t already done so) and, vitally, really good sound.
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