Recommendations for home audio setup with Mac and NAS

I own a streamer, not the bluesound node. However, reading through your questions just made me feel like why go through all this when you could buy a bluesound node, used if you wanted to further reduce the costs, and it comes ready to do everything you want in your questions. It can connect to a NAS on your network, sit out the way connected up to your amp as it has an internal dac, has an app that you can use on your iPad, works either wifi or hardwired, opens up all the major streaming platforms, and more. 

In future you could add a second node to the living room and have multi-room if you enjoyed your experience with the node, if not you can resell it as they are in high demand and sell easily. 
 

That would be my humble advice, rather than fanny around with all that complication you have suggested and it doesn’t cost thousands.

I agree with everything "pabs85" said about the NODE but wanted to point out that perhaps you might be smarter to buy a Vault 2i. It's basically a Node with a 2 terabyte solid state drive onboard. The Vault is also a quick, efficient ripper as well.

Everything in one unit. Look into it.REmote is also available or you can use your phone with the free Bluesound app.

Here is entry level. I sold my Synology and got it.

Or a Rasp Pi, s 2T SSD and a disk drive will outperform the Bluenode for under $500.  

I have both.

why go through all this when you could buy a bluesound node

I have heard of these and briefly looked at them. I guess the main reason is at present I don't really want to spend another $800 or so just to do what I can do with my currently available equipment. My question was really just to see if what I wanted was feasible, or if I was overlooking an issue in the set-up. 

Another reason is I don't really care for "streaming" music from Tidal, Quobuz, Audirvana etc. I have no interest in it. But I guess network players are not just all for streaming online but to get your music into your home network.  

Having said that, I can consider investing in such a device in the near future.

I have about 2tb of music and about 3tb of movies/tv on my NAS, so I would need to hook a network streamer rather than rely on the inbuilt storage on some of the models suggested.

While the Bluesound looks good, can anyone recommend or vouch for other "entry level" networkers, such as SMSL SD9 or Audiolab 600N?

Another question - would it be best hooking them directly to the NAS (if capable) or stream over wi-fi?

Again, until I can invest in a network streamer, is there anything I need to consider that I haven't already when connecting my Mac Mini to my set-up? 

Also, I've heard organisation can be a PITA with servers like Bluesound. What would be the remedy for migrating from the Apple Music library, which organises all of my music quite well, and has all of my created playlists (something I want to keep). 

Sounds like you should just go to the Apple store and ask them..

Bluesound actually does a decent job at organizing as long as your over all file system is good. What amp are you using? Does it decode DLNA? That’s all you really need to make it happen. Or, use the on board music center and airplay to your system. Obviously you need airplay connectivity at the amp or integrated. Roon is another good option. If your NAS has enough juice you can run the core right off the NAS. Honestly, if I had to do it over again, I would probably go with a different storage device other than a NAS. A NAS requires a good amount of upkeep to keep clean and making sure your exposure is limited. My first Qnap NAS was hacked in a global attack and taken by ransomware. I didn’t know any better, and got nailed. The new NAS is an entirely different animal. Works great overall, but needs a good eye kept on it.

My file system has been mostly organised by Itunes in the past, so it is a basic Artist folders with album folders nested within that.

For the time being, I would be connecting the Mac into my ONKYO A9010 amp through a stand alone DAC. I haven’t bought one yet, but am considering a Topping A30.

I only wanted to use a NAS (most likely a Asustor Drivestor) so I can work on my home office computer and computer at my workplace office. I just figured that if I have a NAS I can keep all my music on it as well, hence the idea to use the Mini as a server/interface in my stereo system.

But I guess something I have not considered is to remove the music library from the NAS and set it up to a dedicated music server instead (eg, I wont need to operate itunes from my workplace office, so no need for the music library to be on a network at all, except when I want to play audio in the living room).

What kind of "other storage devices" do you recommend? Regular ext HDD? I am already using one for my Music library.

It seems like there are so many options, with pro/cons for all!

@snakenuts Check out the Sonore microRendu network player if you don't want to build a Pi. Connect it via etjernet to your network and control via most any device with a variety of free sotware or Roon. Many used ones available too, as many owners kove up to their optical solutions later. 

Read Chris Connaker's 2part review and audiophilestyle product of the year award for a comprehensive explanation. Cheers,

Spencer