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

[sleask]

here is what i just posted at ps audio
Fabian said “hardware differences will be less critical…” I thought that at the beginning as well, even after learning I still veer off the path, the ssd’s for instance the first ssd I purchased was in Intel, why, I went around the store and asked 5 people which brand to buy including the service techs. Every one of them said Intel. For stability, speed, accuracy and reliability, why did I go to Samsung, it was the latest and greatest, why did I buy a crucial, it was on sale and I thought “it’s only for music files” (haunting words) which they threw happily in my face today because they told me not to buy it at the time but I didn’t listen. And now, I’m back to Intel for the sound quality.

Back to the testing, the good news is that the Intel 530 series did sound as good as the 320 series, did I sit there and do a detailed compassion, no, there is no point you can’t get the 320’s anymore so it’s time to move on, they sounded so close, I was just happy the “magic” returned with a current series. The guy at the computer store believes the differences are in the firmware and controllers, he said “the sandforce controllers that Intel now use are not as good as the original Intel controllers but they have done a great job with them(firmware)” don’t get me wrong the Samsung did sound good but the Intel did sound better.

I’m sure a lot of you are still thinking this guy is nuts. Yes I will admit a little self-doubt was starting to creep in so I went to my buddy that first witnessed this shocking find just to verify his comments his reply “Steve it took everything I had not to punch you in the face and walk out”. Ok so I’m not nuts, and happy I don’t have a black eye. I’m sure the electrical work I have done, adding the P5 and that wonderful “clean” button Paul incorporated into the unit have Made a great impact on my system. I would consider it electrically “clean”. Or at least as far as I could go in this house. allowing me to hear any changes. I think it is evident with all the testing I do that I “study” my system as much as I “listen” to it.

I don’t think enough credit has been given to Simon at minimserver or Paul for his products, I thought I had reached the limits of the dac, boy was I wrong. and to Simon, without his software none of this would have happened. It is truly fantastic. I know a lot of you want gapless then this is not for you, but for the ones that don’t care I would recommend the synology nas running minimserver set to “wav24” loaded on an Intel SSD. The results are outstanding. And To everyone else that followed me on this interesting journey I thank you for your input and comments.
cheers
Steve