MinimServer comparison with Synology Media Server

[simoncn]

(22-03-2014 10:59)david Wrote:  Hi Simon,

I just performed a more extensive test, listening to the same track in 4 ways:
1. Minimserver buffered (test mode)
2. Minimserver unbuffered (standard mode)
3. Synology media server transcoding aiff to wav (accidentally turned on, but still included in the results for the sake of completeness)
4. Synology media server (no transcoding)

Generally speaking Minimserver seems to offer a more "controlled" sound than Synology regardless of the test mode.
Options 2 and 4 result in the most "open" sound. Option 3 I would describe as fuzzy, option 1 as somewhat flattened compared to 2.
Options 2, 3 and 4 give the deepest sound (bass). Option 1 does seem to miss some strength in the lower frequencies.

This now results in a preference for the unbuffered Minimserver over the Synology. And that's somewhat different than the outcome of my first test. I can see a number of reasons for that:

1. Between 1st and last observations I upgraded my DAC
2. During the first observation my streamer was fairly new, so it might still have been warming up.
3. Synology does sound far from bad, as I said less controlled, but it still has a very detailed and firm sound. This might have the effect of a "Pepsi challenge" where usually the sweetest coke is preferred in the first moment, but after a glass or two it becomes "boring", compared to other tastes.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

David

Thanks for doing this. I don't understand why 1 would sound worse than 2. Are you able to conduct a "double blind" test to confirm that you can conistently tell the difference between these?

I would also welcome any feedback on whether anyone else can hear a difference between default mode and test mode.