Minim server + Synology NAS kills custom dedicated pc on music sound quality

[tboooe]

This is such an interesting thread to me. I just bought a cheap 1 bay QNAP TS-131 so I can experiment running Minimserver on it versus my dedicated control pc (I have a 2 pc jplay setup). While I am waiting for the QNAP to arrive I did compare the sound I got from running Minimserver on another low powered ATOM based PC I have at home. Unlike my control pc which runs Audiophile Optimizer, Jplay, and Fidelizer, this pc has not been optimized in any way. There was a small difference in how the music was presented. With Minimserver running in my control pc, the sound had grit, texture, and bit more weight. To me, it sounded more organic and like a live show. With Minimserver running on the ATOM based pc, the sound was more clear and smooth, perhaps too smooth. It sounded sterile after a while with no soul to the music. My best analogy that it sounded like CD versus vinyl. Needless to say, I went back to running Minimserver on my control pc. I hope that running Minimserver on the QNAP will at the very least not change the sound at all. I want to use the QNAP so I do not have to manually start Minimserver and wait 5-10 mins for the cache read to complete every time I power up my system. I also will be using the QNAP as a dedicated source for my music separate from the NAS I currently use for my household. I plan to use a linear power supply on the QNAP as well.

Anyway, again very interesting thread. Thank you.