NAS/NAs Ripper

It doesn't look like the MF1 M1 Clic will play music from just any NAS - it needs to be a NAS which will present the music as a Media Server via some onboard software e.g. in the manual it states Windows Media Player can be used on Windows PCs and Twonky Media on Macs. It doesn't mention a NAS, but you'll need something similar running on the NAS, otherwise it won't work. These can be found - I believe Synology's NAS products offer this, as do quite a few others.

On the other hand, some streamers like the Sonos systems are able to just pickup music direct from a share on any NAS. However, you'll also get some all-in-one solutions which have built in storage and ripping facility so everything is built into one box (like the Olive O3HD). You just need to be carfeul in what components you buy to ensure it all works together.

Do you foresee ever wanting to put anything else on this NAS, or is it definitely only going to be music? If definitely just music, I think the all-in-one type music server like the Olive mentioned above would be the best bet - it's simple and designed purely for audio playback. What sort of budget are you looking at for everything?

Hi Prof,

Thanks for response, I think will only be using for music, I did consider video stuff but my virgin box and sony hddr box cover this and if i ever needed more I could always upgrade to a tivo, so purely music.

I require a DAC facility as I listen to a lot of spotify and will also try putting some vinyl copies on there using rega phono mini or something similar.

I like MF gear and the Clic seemed the good option but at this early stage had not considered the Olive so will have a look at these, would the Clic work with one of the ripper machines ?
Do you have a Clic if so what do you think of it ?
By the time I get to purchasing I would hope there will be more similar models and I am aware of Naim's models but I think they will be too steep for me.

On budget I have to say I am just weighing up options but a clic/ NAS ripper would be about £2000 so that would be my limit.

I would be looking to put this through the Caspian amp unless the MF 1 power amps are exceptional but I really don't want to consider this as I know where it can lead !!!!!

Thanks again for your time.

A Qnap NAS that includes Twonky Media Server would be a good choice.

I'd go for a 2-bay so u can get auto-backup from raid-1.

Twonky will work with any streamer that supports DLNA (almost all streamers will).

Well, what I was essentially getting at was moving away from having a separate media streamer and storage e.g. the Clic and the NAS / PC and just getting an all-in-one unit like the Olive - with this you wouldn't need the Clic as the Olive connects directly into your Caspian. That budget puts you in shooting distance of the O4HD - this gives you a top quality DAC, 2 TB of storage and a ripper and a very simple interface through touch screen or your TV (or an iPhone/ iPod / iPad / Android app is also available). You'd still need to connect an external device (like your PC) in to access Spotify though. There are other examples of these types of devices around for that price e.g. Naim UnitiServe (though just noticed this needs a separate DAC).

In terms of my experience, you're way out of my budget here (I have a couple of Sonos ZP90s for streaming Spotify and music stored on my Mac), but it just seemed to me that, if you weren't too "au fait" with NAS and streaming devices and you were looking only for a music based solution, one of these simple all-in-one units might well be the best bet. However, there's certainly a lot of choice out there if you're happy to look at separate storage > streamer > DAC setups.

You may not even need a NAS for a M1 Clic. I believe you can use a hard drive plugged directly into the USB port (have a look at the manual on page 16 ... http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/M1-Series/M1CLiC/M1CLiC-manual.pdf)

However using a NAS of some sort is preferable for security/backup purposes and also ease of use ... a media server offers you better user interface and control possibilities, and no need to have a PC switched on. Whether a NAS ripper e.g. Vortexbox/RipNas etc. is worth it over a standalone NAS it's hard to say but for me it's not worth the expense. If you can use a laptop and a CD drive and some simple ripping software then I think you'll be OK. Depends on how much of a self confessed technophobe you really are 

Shanka, I like you was/am "network useless". I wanted a solution for ripping that was:
- easy to use
- didn't require tying up a computer (has to be wrestled off my teenagers)
- idiot proof once set up.
- expandable storage

I ended up with one of these: https://www.ripcaster.co.uk/node/644

This is certainly not the cheapest solution, but is one of the simplest. You post the CD into it, and 4 minutes or so later, it spits it back out, ripped/stored/catalogued.
It is pre-configured for UPnP (user plug and play) and uses dbPoweramp/accurip, which ensures a perfect rip or lists any problems it finds.

Ripcaster are a mine of information, and couldn't be more helpful.....they are worth a call regarding all things streaming.

When I went with Linn, my dealer set the whole thing up, all within the cost....and are always there if there is a glitch.

If you need more info, just holler.

Everyone,

Thanks for all your help, there is a lot to digest here and even just reading is making my head go...............

I will get back once I have had a proper look at all your suggestions and let you know where I get to and if you think I am heading down the road or into the wall.

Off for steak and beer

Again thanks, hugely appreciated

Shanka, have you thought about setting up a PC or Mac to try the streaming water out? For $50 or so you'll get a bit of software that will rip and stream into a DAC and frankly blow you away with it's capable of, never mind for $50. You can rip your CD collection onto a separate HDD which is going to cost you about the same for 1Tb (I have got all my music stored on my laptop HD and backed up on a separate HDD, but most media player can add to a library from any location so you could always have some offline files with our PC wherever you go.

Just a thought perhaps unless you've already tried this of course.

Hi,

Thanks for all the help,where to begin.....

CNO, this is the sort of solution I was looking for and will contact ripcaster but as I may have said and you advise it is a pricey option but simple which I like.
Why is it so much, what extra does it do because you could buy a laptop and NAS for that money.

I will look through the MClic instructions which brings me to Steve, what are the benefits to having on a NAS instead of just a back up hard drive, I don't know !!

Tino,Belive me I am rubbish and I need to do some more thinking, one idea was a Brennan which I thought you could run through a DAC/Clic/Sneaky.This may be mad but running through ideas to get my head right on this.

I had a look at the Olive which is like the Brennan but at the price I think the 4 it is suggested is good budget cd quality so need to put through a DAC which doesn't quite feel right, the next model is too dear.

My thinking is to work out the best back end solution, I have a couple of computery people who confused me terribly with over complicated soultions so sticking with hifi bcause at least I can trust my ears a bit.

On the front had a look at the Sneaky and more questions later but its storage ripping at the moment.

Thanks again for all help, need to get my replies more organised too but thanks everyone so far,thought I would visit my neaest dealers in London next week and maybe PC World but get uptight as I don't really know what they are talking about and then get all Clarksonesque !

Cheers all

Zoneripper is the same as RipNAS, does anyone else do the all in one solution ??

Not really understanding upnp and why I need Twonky which I hope is software.

Just reminding myself of not the  nine o'clock news sketch. oh dear......................

Ditched the Brennan , mp3 only, getting there, slowly.

This is probably better answered by Ripcaster, but here are some of the reasons that I believe are pertinant:

- Fanless design, so is silent...big issue for me.
- Uses a quality Teac Drive (costs 3x as much as some other drives).
- Pre- installed dbPoweramp with Accurip, giving secure ripping.
- Uses four metadata services.
- The HDDs used for storage, are the more expensive 2.5" laptop drives, which have lower noise and power consumption.
- The 2 HDDs are mirrored
- Has automatic updating, and Ripcaster can temporarily get access for trouble shooting.

Now some of my info may be a little out-dated, it will give you an idea.....whether this is worth the extra, is up to you to decide. I've been very happy with mine; as well as the helpfulness of Ripcaster (Anna and John, I think).

Been looking at lots of stuff online and these seem the best solution , anyone techie I have mentioned to get apoplectic at the price but ease ,lack of swearing and potential man/machine violence has a price and maybe thats it.

Will speak to these chaps and see what they say, thanks again for the response.

....zackly so; straight out of the Cno handbook for Luddites.

Shanka ... have a look at these links (click on the links below) and see what you think ... 

http://www.excito.com/node/9

http://www.excito.com/content/features