If you have business (or personal) data on a server you need passwords, 2-factor authentication, and full data recovery. Compared to outsourcing, a QNAP pays for itself quickly.
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I used Minimserver for several years when I had an Auralic Aries, perhaps around 2012 or 2013. Nothing to do with DSD. It’s not exactly complicated, just creates a uPnP index.
For AirLens and if you don’t have a server already, it’s probably just as effective and even easier to get an Innuos Zen or Zen Mini with a large hard drive and use it purely as a uPnP server. It builds the library on Asset uPnP. You can then just add to MConnect the same way.
Acting as a uPnP server is just another one of Innuos’s many tricks. The Innuos Sense app can control some streamers over uPnP
@tonyplachy
Lumin only works with native uPnP integration from Innuos, i.e. you have to use the Lumin app.
Sense uPnP integration, where you can use the Sense app, works with my ceiling audio system.
I asked ages ago if anyone at PSA had tried uPnP integration with the AirLens using their Innuos machines. It would be very useful if it worked.
I find Roon tends to work better than uPnP, which doesn’t send metadata. Just another reason to use Roon.
That’s incorrect Steven. UPnP (or more correctly, DLNA, UPnP is just one of the standards DLNA uses) does infact send metadata. For DLNA-compliant devices, metadata is not a problem. 
Edit: Well, maybe a little difficult. Here’s a brief but informative one-pager from the MinimServer site. UPnP and DLNA
I’m pretty sure MinimServer (and other DLNA-compliant devices) supports ‘native’ DSD (via DoP, I believe). I needed to make a few small configuration changes in MinimServer to get it to work. I think MinimStreamer is also required? (I’ll check.) I’m using MinimServer (the paid version) to transcode DSD to 32/192 which is sent over the LAN to my renderer which, currently is just VLC, and out through my PC’s 32/384-capable on-board DAC. Long story, but my DSDAC is currently packed away 
but I believe AirLens/DSDAC will handle the DoP natively from a DLNA-compliant server.
Edit: It appears MinimStreamer is not required for streaming DSD natively. (Here’s what MinimStreamer does provide. https://minimstreamer.com/)
I agree, as I’ve fussed with DLNA/UPnP for at least a dozen years now, if not more. It can work but that doesn’t always means it’s the ideal solution. We’re at least fortunate the AirLens can operate as a renderer in that way. (I successfully streamed the Qobuz app via BubbleUPnP this afternoon and while a little clumsy with the extra step, it played back the music perfectly.
Given Roon’s very modest cost (basically the cost of one CD per month), what it does for my streaming system makes it well worth it. I like that once it is set up, it just works. I have several different streaming devices in the house (primarily for background music in different rooms) and Roon automatically detected them on the network and all it took was clicking “Enable” to use them. Roon sees my NAS and catalogs all the music for me. All that leaves me to do is crack open the tablet, search, and start playing music. I’m a bit miffed that I still have to get up and make my own hot chocolate with marshmallows, but that’s a “me” problem.
Granted, Roon Server should be on a reasonably powerful computer if a library of digital files is growing but even there, given that some streamers are several hundred to thousands of dollars, what’s the cost of a little $300-$400 computer to power the music library? And what’s $15/month to make it all so simple to access, with Qobuz as icing on the cake? One need not jump in with the latest/most expensive hardware in other words. Baby steps, and upgrade if storage, memory or CPU capacity gets strained.
It’s like buying a Cadillac Fleetwood but replacing the steering wheel and vinyl bench seats with those from a 1973 Chevy Vega because I cheaped out and didn’t feel like paying for the cushy, shiny Cadillac interior parts. Cheaping out on parts of a streaming system is never going to end well either, especially if we’re sending a stream to equipment that is on the level of an AirLens and DirectStream DAC of any flavor (this is no Raspberry Pi tethered to a no-name DAC found on Amazon, in other words). Yeah, a NAS for me is a must-own part of my digital system and entire home network, but someone with more modest means can start with a 2GB or 4GB SSD to store music on and tether it to the computer running Roon Server and it will work perfectly fine. Likewise, if someone already has an older computer they can repurpose for Roon, or install on a NAS with enough horsepower to run it, go for it! Use what you have to keep the cost down while you settle in with your system. Change what you need to in the future.
I only say all this as I hate to see anyone struggle with getting streaming operational.
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Just to note for several years I’ve been using the dCS Mosaic control app, which incorporates a custom version of UPnP, in conjunction with MinimServer running on a Synology NAS. The renderer is the dCS Network Bridge. This simple streaming setup gives excellent performance with virtually no hiccups: those that occur are typically due to the LAN. Sound quality is a major step up from the DSDac Mk1 with the bridge card.
I’d therefore thoroughly recommend streaming with the caveat to keep it simple.
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I’ve been using a “silent” QNAP on a linear PSU and decent isolation where RoonServer is installed on one 4Tb SSD and the music library on the other. I have overclocked the Celerion N5105 CPU and upgraded the cooling and run a custom linux OS using minimal resources and don’t have any other packages running. It connects via USB out to a DDC and thence via i2s out to the MkII DAC. I am happy with the result, but am contemplating trying the AL via the network to compare SQ and possibly ditching the DDC.
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Yes, My fidata NAS came with a modified version of Twonky Server that works great with DSD files. The guys at fidata did their work to insure that DSD files are handled easily, they did not treat DSD as an after thought. I make DSD128 needle drop recordings my best vinyl. The files are .dsf format and I use the Twonky Server to add the meta data to the file.
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I presume you are using a QNAP HS-264, which says on the product page:
QNAPs typically run about 15 apps by default, I presume you have snapshot and other protections running, or do you just have a remote backup for a full restore in the case of a hack?
You are fortunate to have the skills to optimise one of these units, they are a very practical and cost-effective way of handing all streaming needs in one box.
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Yes indeed Steven I am using the HS-264 and really like it, but as I said I run my own custom OS on this (based on Arch Linux) rather than the proprietary one. As such the only ‘app’ running is RoonServer. As it happens the file system I use is also btrfs so snapshotting is supported, but because it is still a relatively new file system I rather rely on 3 external backups for redundancy. The firewall is granular enough to only let Roon traffic through until I want to SSH into the NAS.
Following the ransomware issues they had in the past it looks like the current iteration of the QTS OS from 5.x.x is more resilient, although I would still advocate taking the time to tweak their firewall and your router for added security.
It’s also worth remembering that while Roon Server is supported at the moment, it is provided by a third party who is just one person maintaining it for free (Christopher Rieke) and a similar situation pertains for LogitechMediaServer which is available via a third-party repo (QNAP Club)
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All this talk reminds me why I went Roon and third party streamer (aka something like Eversolo and Airlens). I am very savvy in IT and could certainly do this stuff, but I support IT systems all day for the past 33 years… did not want to do that in my own house. The Roon Core on NUC has been about as solid as anything I have ever owned. No IT needed on my part apart from restarts (using the remote on iOS devices) when updates are applied. And even with that, having DAC, Streamer, Core, Remote all on separate devices, there still seems to be issues (much being MKII fault). Maybe one day I will jump in with a GRIMM. But I really do not want a computer to worry about. Certainly can save money but the $699 I paid for lifetime made that fixed.
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I need IT help. My situation, IMO, is typical of most homes where the people in the home are not network savvy. I have an ISP ( Optimum ) that provides me with a WiFi router that broadcast WiFi throughout the house and has four Ethernet ports, of which, I use one to get streaming via the internet to my smart TV. The WiFi router is PW protected. My wife and I both use Wi-Fi to get internet to our laptops ( she has a Mac and I have Norton 360 on my PC ). IMO, this is where I think typical ends.
This year I have added a NAS ( fidata ), the AirLens and an ipad to my system. I get Ethernet to where the NAS is from a WiFi extender that has an Ethernet port ( BrosTrend AC1200 WiFi to Ethernet Adapter ). The ipad is PW protected. I have DSD files that I have made stored on the NAS and using Twonky Server I play those file using the ipad to select what is played. The files go by a non-network Ethernet cable to the AI and then to the Mk2 DAC.
Where do I need protecton?
A cheap thing to do is get Bitdefender. For about $80 per annum it will protect your laptops and mobiles (up to 10 devices).
Fidata apparently runs on a range of O/S, so really whatever O/S is running should have some security features. Best probably just to get a SATA drive and docking station and do backups.
I suspect the first and best piece of security advice on QNAP is to disable the Administrator user. Using it, or leaving it there unused, is like leaving the door open.
https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/roon-server-on-nas#Why_would_anyone_want_this
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Are all your PW’s really strong?
IMO Yes, but you never know for sure.
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It is a very interesting piece of kit you have there in the fidata. Would not work for me. But really sounds perfect for you. And even if someone hacked through your laptop or your iPad, they probably would be looking for a QNAP or a Synology! As ever, keep offline backups. A NAS or RAID is not a backup. I keep backups on two other continents. Might be a bit OTT. But backups all in one location are not really backups either.
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I put in the Innuos Pulsar last night. I had to built a new rack, with coloured side panels to cover up the horrible Holo styling. The Pulsar is a heavy box and I need a thicker shelf!
With respect to Paul’s comment about noisy servers, noisy usb and pretty boxes, I’m using the Innuos preferred Endpoint mode. The Innuos Zen Mk3 is running Sense as an ultra-quiet server in something called Native mode, the Pulsar is a passive device connected to Holo May by usb. Both the Pulsar and Holo May are super-optimised for usb. Both devices are connected using fibre optic cables to a Netgear SFP switch.
The Pulsar range are extreme minimalist design. There is an on/off switch and small light underneath the front panel which is invisible. There is some subtle branding on the top.
FWIW, the Holo May is configured so that it does native 256 DSD over usb.
I think this set-up makes the most of the Holo May’s extraordinary resolution and low noise floor, at Mola Mola Tambaqui and dCS level.
The end result is exceptional detail and imaging as you might expect, and a significantly warmer sound that I’ve got from a streaming system in 15 years.
In this mode Roon does not see it. I could put the Zen into Roon mode (defeats the whole purpose) and I will at some point take the Zen out and use the Pulsar as the active streamer, connecting to a NAS with my music library. I will have to speak to Innuos again as there is a second Ethernet port which I think is for connecting direct to a NAS, I have a cable in place, but the configuration is not documented.
Everything screwed together. Perspex cleans very easily screen spray or harder dirt with a little bit of Isopropanol on a lint free cloth.
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Nice work.
Enjoy the new kit.
– SEE
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