Synology NAS via USB to integrated amplifier

[JDutko]

Hi Folks,

 

My first post here - just got re-introduced to nice audio reproduction.

 

I wonder if anyone has used a Synology NAS and its Audio Station app with an integrated amp, such as the NAD D3020, connected via USB.

 

I own a NAD D3020, constantly amazed by it, and Sonos Connect to render music via coax. Sonos works pretty well with my crappy, almost useless, NAS (Iomega Home Media Network Hard Drive Cloud Edition) for 16/44 flac files. A caveat of Sonos is its inability to render above 16 bit/44 kHz files. The DAC in the D3020 can do it but the stupid Iomega has no chance at bridging the connection.

 

The ideal setup is to upgrade our NAS to Sonolgy and have it render music to the D3020 via USB because we don't want to connect/disconnect our laptop every time we want to play 24 bit files.

 

NAD supplies drivers for the D3020 to function downstream of my PC. My guess is that USB direct from Synology to D3020 might not work without drivers for the Synology control software.

 

Alternative suggestions or solutions appreciated! Plan B is a media server such as CAPS or other instead of Synology and adding Synology later.

 

Thanks!

[phatoldsun]

Hi Folks,

 

My first post here - just got re-introduced to nice audio reproduction.

 

I wonder if anyone has used a Synology NAS and its Audio Station app with an integrated amp, such as the NAD D3020, connected via USB.

 

I own a NAD D3020, constantly amazed by it, and Sonos Connect to render music via coax. Sonos works pretty well with my crappy, almost useless, NAS (Iomega Home Media Network Hard Drive Cloud Edition) for 16/44 flac files. A caveat of Sonos is its inability to render above 16 bit/44 kHz files. The DAC in the D3020 can do it but the stupid Iomega has no chance at bridging the connection.

 

The ideal setup is to upgrade our NAS to Sonolgy and have it render music to the D3020 via USB because we don't want to connect/disconnect our laptop every time we want to play 24 bit files.

 

NAD supplies drivers for the D3020 to function downstream of my PC. My guess is that USB direct from Synology to D3020 might not work without drivers for the Synology control software.

 

Alternative suggestions or solutions appreciated! Plan B is a media server such as CAPS or other instead of Synology and adding Synology later.

 

Thanks!

 

Hi, welcome to CA.

If USB out of the Synology works is probably dependent on the DAC it is connected to. It does have the Music Station player and USB audio out.

I got my DS213 to work with a Audioquest DragonFly. I haven't tried it with other DACs. This thread suggests it works with a Schiit Bifrost. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/synology-network-attached-storage-schiit-bifrost-digital-analogue-converter-18368/index2.html

There is a compatible equipment list on Synology's website too.

It runs a version of Linux, but I don't know about loading drivers to it.

[JDutko]

Thanks for the reply and greeting!

 

Quick question, does the DragonFly require Audioquest drivers when connected to a PC? I saw the Schiit post but I figured I might post my specifics.

 

I'll check the compatible list, thanks. I saw a list of USB speakers but not DACs.

 

As for Linux, I found this comment which indicates easy compatibility with Fedora.

 

I am checking with the Synology forums too, so maybe someone over there knows.

[phatoldsun]

Thanks for the reply and greeting!

 

Quick question, does the DragonFly require Audioquest drivers when connected to a PC? I saw the Schiit post but I figured I might post my specifics.

 

I'll check the compatible list, thanks. I saw a list of USB speakers but not DACs.

 

As for Linux, I found this comment which indicates easy compatibility with Fedora.

 

I am checking with the Synology forums too, so maybe someone over there knows.

 

Not sure. I think the DragonFly is designed so no drivers are required. It's only 96/24. I'm on Mac. No drivers needed.

[JDutko]

Thanks for letting me know. No word from other forums yet. I also asked NAD folks and my local shop if they could test the Synology DiskStation USB direct connect. It such a simple solution for now, I hope it is possible.

[mattpitts74]

I also have the NAD d3020, but I haven't tried connecting directly to my synolgy yet, I will give it a go and report back.

[JDutko]

Fantastic! Thanks for your help. It would be great if it works but info either way is super helpful to me.

[stkandl523]

Hi, I'm also curious to hear the results of the test.

 

Another possibility for connectivity between the Synology and the NAD would be to use an USB optical output dongle connected to the NAS, with optical running to an input on the NAD. I was searching around to see if others had success with one of these, and stumbled on Synology's version, which even comes with a remote. No idea how well it'd work, but its definitely intriguing!

Synology - Network Attached Storage (NAS)

[stkandl523]

Update - looks like the Synology Remote might be discontinued. THough it's still listed on their webpage, I haven't found any shops that carry it.

[JDutko]

Hi, I'm also curious to hear the results of the test.

 

Another possibility for connectivity between the Synology and the NAD would be to use an USB optical output dongle connected to the NAS, with optical running to an input on the NAD.

 

This is an interesting idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into this possibility too!