location of minimserver on network

[DavidZ]

I am currently using minimserver, running on my Synology NAS, feeding a Zuma Windows 8 computer, which has JPlay streamer as the renderer. I use Bubbleupnp. There has been an issue with occasional (like once a listening session) brief bursts of white noise (less than a second).

This configuration was suggested to me by Adrian at Sonore -- there's no way to run a server on their Rendu renderer. As a matter of troubleshooting, Josef at JPLay suggested running minimserver on the Zuma, along with the JPLay streamer, as a trial.

This raises a couple of questions. a) I assume minimserver, running on the Zuma, can operate with files residing on the NAS. I'd be surprised if not, but I ask here just to confirm.

And b) is there any optimal/desirable configuration? Is minimserver and the renderer better in terms of sound quality and/or playback functionality on the same or different computers on the network? As I mentioned, with the Rendu (which I plan on auditioning in a few weeks), there is no choice but to separate the 2. But with JPlaystreamer running on a Windows 8 machine there is a choice.

Any thoughts? Thanks. -- David