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).
Recommendations for home audio setup with Mac and NAS
Hello all,
I've been doing a bit of searching through the forum and have found some similar threads, but I think my question might differ just slightly, so hoping to get some ideas/suggestions etc. Keep in mind I'm only "entry level" and not in position to spend thousands on new gear at the moment. Just trying to work with what I have.
I'd like to set up an entry level home audio system utilising a NAS as my storage for digital files, connected to a Mac. I will be doing most of my listening in my home office, and in the near future hoping to connect to the living room as well.
My view is to set up the system in the follwing way, but I'm just wondering if I'm being idealistic, and if so if there's a better way to connect everything.
I will have a Mac desktop (for office work etc) + mac mini (for audio/movie playback)
I want to connect both macs to the NAS (through a wireless routers), connect the Mac Mini to the amplifier and speaker system. I will be controlling the Mac Mini via the Apple remote on ipad or iphone.
My question is, do I need the Mac Mini at all? Given that my Mac desktop (which will be used for office work mostly) will be connected to the NAS as well (which will have all my music and video files stored), should I buy a dedicated streamer instead, or is the set-up I have suggested feasible?
In future, how could I be best set up the system in the living room to the NAS I have? Should I connect the amplifier in the living room to the NAS through a streaming unit via ethernet cable connected directly to the NAS? Or could I just get a wifi-streamer capable integrated amp/preamp that can connect wirelessly to the Mac in my office? I also have an Apple TV, so could I just realistically connect the to an amp in the living room and stream my music/movies from that over wifi?
I plan to use Bitperfect on my Mac (either desktop or mini) in my office system. Would this be OK to run on 2022 Mac OSX?
Thanks for your consideration!
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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 |
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