Synology NAS for Auralic Aries Mini

[Nick B]

I'm getting very close to pulling the trigger on an Auralic Mini with the Auralic external power supply. The seller also has a 2 bay Synology 241+ NAS. It's a very good price. Can anyone comment on how this NAS would communicate withe the Mini?
Does the NAS need to go through a computer and/or can my iPad handle some or all of the duties?
Thanks,
Nick

[ejk]

I would assume the NAS gets hooked to your router

[mfsoa]

I don't use a NAS in my PC audio setup but I think you can run software (Minimserver I see mentioned all the time) directly on the NAS that serves the tunes directly to the renderer (Aries Mini), instead of having this done by a PC.

The NAS is actually a PC by itself.

Some say the NAS-direct method is best, some say nay, PC is best.

Mini review just posted on Audiostream:
http://www.audiostream.com/content/auralic-aries-mini#85iC3S0IVQvQHBcc.97

[TomS]

There is a choice of Minimserver that would run on the Synology or Auralic Lightning Server for a local USB drive or network drives that runs on the Aries.

If you want Roon there needs to be another device on the network capable of running Roon Core or Roon Server (headless) as it won't run on a NAS  or Linux just yet.

I use a Synology DS1815+ with an Aries and it works very well with both DS Lightning or Roon Core on an Intel NUC i5.

[richidoo]

Is minimserver necessary for Aries mini, or can it pull files in from any network share?

[tmazz]

Based on the Audiostream review in Mike's post it looks like all you need to do to use a NAS is to connect it and the Mini wiill auto detect and set up all by itself.

"Network setup is relatively simple due to the Lightning app's setup guide. Plug in the Mini, connect it to your network (the company recommends WiFi), and follow the guide in the app. This process should take all of a few minutes as the app auto-discovers your WiFi network, your Aries device, and once connected, your NAS. The first time you connect to your NAS the app will take some time to scan your library, the exact amount of time depends on its size."

[richidoo]

Thank you Sir. That makes more sense than returning to the 'slim devices' model requiring a separate host.

[Nick B]

I appreciate the responses. Very helpful. It makes the setup very doable. In regards to the Mini, I'm looking at options other than the Aries external power supply. I have an audio friend who recommends looking at linear ps variable voltage and current units. Some of these have multiple taps as well. I'm a bit skeptical that some of these units won't have transformer hum or generate line noise. Budget is $600 max

[richidoo]

A high performance regulator would be ideal, like Belleson. If you have a tech that can build something simple for you, he can build a simple single ended power supply with a nice big tranny, fast diodes, good quality large filter cap and a great Belleson regulator, box, switch, LED for about $200 parts.

Belleson SPJ Custom, $65 w/custom 16V output.

EDIT: http://www.belleson.com/
You probably want the 2 amp version

[Nick B]

Thanks, Rich. I'll check with my audio club buddies in Vegas if anyone can build it.

[richidoo]

Cool.

Try the stock adapter before you commit to replacing it. The Auralic designer is very clever, he knows about power. It might not be too bad. You never know.