Sound quality differences between NAS units

[Martin H]

(22-08-2016 09:38)winxi Wrote:  

(21-08-2016 22:49)Peter@57m Wrote:  I have tried different NAS drives including different Melco models and have found Melco to be the best sounding and their more expensive model to sound better than the entry level.

I have swapped drives on visitors without telling them what was being tested and they have consistently found Melco better.

So I would dispute your statement there is no causal link to sound quality and different NAS drives.

Can you be sure that you didn't (unconsciously) influence your guests?
Have you already tried a blind test, were another person being in another room plays a track from a highend NAS or a regular NAS and you guess which NAS is used? To get a significant result, this experiment should be repeated at least 20 times for the same track. I'd be interested in the results of such a test.
Did somebody other do such a blind test?

Quote:Have you tried this yourself?

I've tried two different NAS and also streamed from a PC and I observed no difference in sound quality. But I had not the chance to try a highend NAS yet.

I can only chip in based on blind tests of the Melco vs QNAP servers. I spent a week pestering anyone that turned up at the house plus some educated listeners in a series of blind tests while I was considering the purchase. Both servers were outside of the listening room with no way of the listeners being able to see which device was connected. On almost every track tested the Melco was consistently chosen as the preferred version by all parties. The exceptions tended to be on one specific track (for the life of me I can't remember now). It may be clear from above but the Melco isn't simply offering an alternate NAS it also acts as the path to the network for the DS. I can't explain and neither did I expect the improvement, all I can say is that I was therefore convinced enough to buy it. I'm happy with that. I suspect, but don't know that it has more to do with the connectivity differences but I don't know that and TBH don't really care too much - I just prefer the sound. It has other benefits for some users.

The test was in my house not a lab - because that's where I listen

hope that helps