Perfect Wave DAC and Bridge

Tomcy6:

Two key pieces of required software are the controller software and the server software. Since I assume you’re still interested in the PWD/Bridge, I would recommend that you utilize PS Audio’s proprietary controller software, “Tag-n-Play”, which you will load directly onto your iPod device (e.g.: an iTouch) via the iTunes website (simply connect your iPod device to a computer via USB to load said software -which you can now buy directly from iTunes for $10.00)

Next, you’ll need to decide which server software to utilize (purchase and download). If you go with a NAS, your options will be somewhat limited (i.e.: since most – if not all – NAS devices are preconfigured with embedded server software and you typically cannot load other third-party server software). Many NAS devices come with Twonky Server, which is merely okay as a mate with the PWD/Bridge. Logically, the forthcoming PS Audio proprietary server software, “eLyric” will be the ultimate solution (however, they – PS Audio – have not yet perfected their software). I do not believe that you will be able to embed the forthcoming eLyric in a NAS (you will need to confirm this). This would necessarily mean that you would need to load eLyric (or any other third-party server – e.g.: James River Media Center, Twonky Manager – or Twonky Server, Asset – by dBpoweramp, etc.) onto a computer. I bought a Netbook to use as a proprietary computer for my music server, since they cost about the same as most NAS devices.

The nice thing about a NAS is that you don’t need to have a computer on to listen to your music. The problem with NAS devices however – as noted above, is that you may necessarily be stuck with the server that comes with the NAS…..too bad nothing’s perfect!! This is the reason that I opted to go with a Netbook (they’re very quiet – darn near dead quiet, and they’re very small – making storage easy). It is an affordable and very effective “interim” solution (it is working out so well however, that I may not change….). There will be some great new solutions forthcoming by PS Audio and other companies.

I recommend that you visit the PS Audio forum to gain more information about some of their planned product – such as a NAS-type device that will include the embedded eLyric software (which won’t be available until late 2011). http://www.psaudio.com/ps/forum/

I considered the same things that you are now considering…to go with a NAS, or to utilize a computer…where to place everything…how to connect everything (e.g.: how to go about running long lengths of cat 5…etc….etc…!!! The easiest solution for me was to place a small Netbook in my listening room, along with a wireless-capable network router. This allows me to load the server software on the Netbook (I’m currently using Twonky server and I will soon switch to eLyric when the beta version becomes available in a couple of weeks). By the way, Twonky works pretty good as an interim solution. I can then run a reasonable length of cat 5 from my router to my Bridge, which is located fifteen-feet away from the router. Since the Netbook is in the same room, I can access and manage all my music files via the Netbook while I listen to tunes. I loaded the T-n-P controller ap on an iTouch and all is well.

This is so cool and so utterly mind-blowing (for an old “child-of-the-seventies” like me) that I still can’t get over it. I have every single CD I own (4,000+) ripped and loaded – along with several hundred hi-rez files – all accessible from my listening position with the simple swipe of a finger…including volume control. My CDs are boxed up and packed away. Oh….by the way, with the Bridge there is no loss in fidelity. My Redbook CDs actually sound better as FLAC files played through the Bridge/PWD than they did through my dedicated CD player.

Don’t hesitate to ask more questions, that’s what I did. Once you learn the basic facts, it’s all pretty easy.

Good luck!

_Ben

Thanks Lightminer and _Ben. I'll continue to research. _Ben, uploading 4,000 cds is quite an accomplishment in itself. Enjoy!

Also if you don't want to use Twonky and a computer you can pick up a Netgear WNDR3700 and stick your USD HD right into it. It has its own server software and its pretty simple to set up. If you have AIFF files you may get some issues with album art but not the case with FLAC. The forums over on the PS Audio website are pretty active and very helpful with this stuff. I'm currently using this solution until something better comes along. I'm very very happy with the PWD/Bridge combo. Best digital I've had. DAC obsessing is over(for now, LOL). All the best.

LL

One more thing Tomcy6...

Whatever NAS, and/or server you end up with, understand that it must be UPnP compliant. Also, Boistry's suggested WNDR3700 NAS is the one that get's the most recommendations from PS Audio Forum members.

Good luck!

_Ben

I do storage at work and while none of the NAS systems are comparable at all to the kinds of things I do at work I've occasionally dipped down and poked around at the NAS offerings. The main problem with them is they are software not hardware raid, which is why in tests RAID 0 isn't 2x in speed over RAID1 and RAID 10, which is the best one to use if money is plentiful, is typically really horrible. It makes sense, though, a decent RAID card is the same price as these whole devices!

In any case all that to say I was impressed a year or two ago when I looked into all this in detail was Synology. I don't think they are known quite as well, but especially their higher priced models actually perform reasonably well and have a decent processor.

Because I work with high-end storage professionally I've become a storage snob and the only prosumer nas I would get is one of the Synology top of the line models or alternatively I'd just build one myself.