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Weakest digital link: DAC - Streamer - Server?

I am curious WHICH of the three is MOST important in digital playback? DAC, Streamer, or Server? I assume DAC is #1, but what about server/streamer?

 

Specifically, I have a Synology NAS which I can host ALL my music on, then using a good streamer play off it via Roon/Upnp, PLUS my streaming services.  Does it make sense to use a SEPARATE server JUST for my music? 

Like is there going to be MUCH difference between these setups?!

1. NAS (music server) --> Good Streamer (ethernet, Roon) --> DAC

2. Dedicated Music Server --> Same streamer (ethernet, Roon) --> DAC

3. Dedicated Music Server with streamer (digital out) --> DAC

 

I understand for SURE, if one connects a NAS USB out to streamer/DAC it will sound WORSE than dedicated music server with low noise components, BUT if I am sending the music over ethernet to a good streamer, WHY would a music server make ANY difference? The streamer would essentially take the same files off my NAS, as if would from Tidal and play in the same fashion... no?! 

WHAT am I missing?!

 

PS. I can also upgrade the NAS with linear PSU to lower noise, but once again, sending audio through ethernet shouldn't matter.

alexb76

Showing 2 responses by alexb76

alexb76 OP
22 posts
 

Thanks guys, lost of great advice.  To be more specific, I currently OWN a nice NAS (Synology DS920+) which I use for backup, PLUS I stream ALL of our movies/TV shows/Baby stuff from it, so it's for sure capable of streaming audio!

I also just bought an Innuos Zen3, to RIP CDs mostly and the question is, should I keep it? or get rid of it, and just host my files on my NAS... THEN get a good streamer like Auralic/Aurender instead. 

I know CLOCK makes the biggest difference in Digital Audio, and noise coming into the DAC, BUT hosting files shouldn't matter, so while Innuos DIRECTLY connected to my DAC WOULD be better than if my NAS was directly connected to my DAC, IF BOTH are elsewhere (my server closet), WHY would it make a difference?!

Essentially, I wanna simplify, host ALL of my Video/Audio on my NAS, then get a good streamer/DAC to play off it, or play off Tidal when needed and be done. With Innuos I have to maintain TWO separate servers, one for Audio, the other for Video and other files. 

alexb76 OP
22 posts
 

Thanks Cindy, so my assumption is CORRECT, having my Audio files HOSTED on my NAS in a separate room and using a good streamer/DAC to play them will yield the EXACT same results as if I had a dedicated Audio server (Innuos, etc...) in the same room - BOTH connected via the same network/ethernet cable!

 

From what I can gather, the dedicated music servers just make the life easier, and make it dumb proof for folks to host their files (Innuos is super easy), but for anyone with technical background like myself, I can simply put my files on my Synology Audio folder and have exact same results with data redundancy, backup, remote access and ease of use! It's currently hosting 4K videos without a problem.

I guess my next question is, WHICH streamer/DAC, under $2K, would do the job best playing files off my NAS PLUS having Tidal/Spotify Connect?

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