The NAS is just a computer running Linux. If the appropriate modules are loaded USB device should just work. Obviously you’ll also need some software to play the audio files. But in theory, a modern NAS should not have any problems with any of this.
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NAS for newbie
- Thread starter Blooze
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killdozzer
Major Contributor
Thank you very much. That's very comforting. I'll keep digging for someone in my situation to see if they got it to work.
Usually USB-B means it'll install something on your computer once plugged in, does this maybe change something? In theory, if I get a cheap, portable USB-DAC to work, I should be able to make the MiniDSP work, right?
I'm asking because that way I could avoid paying too much for something I would have to return or hassle with.
USB-B is usually to connect the device with the B-connector to a PC (or similar). What specific NAS are we talking about?
Yes, that is likely. Although some of the cheap ones are only UAC1, so not a perfect match.
benanders
Senior Member
Getting a $550 device (FLEX) to do what the $1,300 device (SHD) will do seems counterintuitive of miniDSP to facilitate.
MaxwellsEq
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Technically, they are not wrong. When Network Attached Storage first appeared, they were there a way to serve storage blocks via SMB protocol without needing a WindowsNT server. Effectively "host-free" block storage
NAS products have evolved in their own right to be a hosts for other services.
killdozzer
Major Contributor
Thank you. This is the model (but it's a version lower than 7.0, so by now I haven't still lost certain features)
Download Center - download | Synology Inc.
Centralize data storage and backup, streamline file collaboration, optimize video management, and secure network deployment to facilitate data management.
www.synology.com
killdozzer
Major Contributor
Sure, I never said they were wrong. I just think they kept repeating something non-pertinent however true.
This is why I thought that: someone here said they are using a dongle USB-DAC connected directly to the NAS. Now, if the issue with NAS was that it's not a streaming device, then dongles shouldn't work either for that same reason. My question was; if it's on the NAS side, why do some devices work and others not.
(*I'll have to find the comment where someone said they're using a dongle. Maybe there was something different about their systems. I'll try.)
killdozzer
Major Contributor
That's the wrong way around.
MaxwellsEq
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The NAS needs:
1. To operate as an USB Host
2. To expose a USB Audio driver supporting UAC1 or UAC2 for a DAC (dongle or box) to understand.
Neither of these are essential aspects of a NETWORK Attached Storage.
It also needs an a application stack above the storage to read its internal blocks as audio files (not just generic storage blocks), and to present choices to the user via the management console to find and pour these blocks into the audio driver. As before, not an essential NAS function.
The vendor will have to decide if this capability is worth developing and adding and whether it's going to give it a competitive edge that it can charge money for
Bear in mind that these Nas devices now offer a whold bunch of added value services, including media serving - and for some at least media playaback.
That makes it not unreasonable to have some expectations - especially when particular functinallity has been offered in earlier versions.
Synology's closest competitor (QNAP) even offer HDMI output for video playback.
killdozzer
Major Contributor
And you also seem to excel at non-pertinent and if you ever need a letter of recommendation to get a job at MiniDSP customer service, count on me!
Don't get mad. This was just for a joke. really.
But what I wanted to say is that all of what you wrote still doesn't explain why would a dongle work and not a MiniDSP. Because all of what you wrote still concerns NAS lacking functions and somehow a dongle doesn't mind and sees beyond all those shortcomings and loves the NAS for who he really is.
I mean the NAS hardware modelThank you. This is the model (but it's a version lower than 7.0, so by now I haven't still lost certain features)
Download Center - download | Synology Inc.
Centralize data storage and backup, streamline file collaboration, optimize video management, and secure network deployment to facilitate data management.
killdozzer
Major Contributor
Ah, found it. And my memory DID betray me once again.
Here it is:
Here it is:
MaxwellsEq
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I agree with all your points: it's doable, the competition do it, previous generations did it.
I have a "mature" Synology NAS which is great at SMB block storage services and has some non-NAS media services running on top that my phone can exploit. But it lacks processor and memory grunt to do much else. I get Synology news updates and they are more focused on enterprise capabilities, rather than domestic functionality. I wonder if perhaps they see more profit in the data centre environment...
killdozzer
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MaxwellsEq
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I'll be brief. I think dongle DACs, box-based DACs and miniDSP all need UAC1/2 facilities (although dongles need to deal with phone specifics). I think pure NAS devices don't support that. But I expect some enhanced NAS do. This is not a feature I've required, but I'm sure someone, somewhere has a list of NAS+ products which do.And you also seem to excel at non-pertinent and if you ever need a letter of recommendation to get a job at MiniDSP customer service, count on me!
Don't get mad. This was just for a joke. really.
But what I wanted to say is that all of what you wrote still doesn't explain why would a dongle work and not a MiniDSP. Because all of what you wrote still concerns NAS lacking functions and somehow a dongle doesn't mind and sees beyond all those shortcomings and loves the NAS for who he really is.
Those look like normal USB host ports to me. You must have some USB audio device at home to test with?
killdozzer
Major Contributor
I have to think... I have a Bluetooth USB emitter... And it has a 3,5 jack out... and I have a 3,5 > RCA adapter...
Nah, that wouldn't work. USB is just for power in this case.
Later Edit: I'm arriving home tomorrow, I'll see what is at my disposal.
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killdozzer
Major Contributor
I'm thinking of this:
If I don't find anything else at home, it's a cheap test and I think I could resell easily. It's in my native language, but even if you don't use a translator, the pics have notes in English. You can just skim through those if you're interested.
I know I'd need a USB-C to USB-A adapter, but I'll find something.
benanders
Senior Member
No, it’s not. You have the cheaper miniDSP hardware. miniDSP clearly states the costlier model does what you intend, not the model you bought. Why would they see fit to facilitate otherwise?
You seem to be at least partly disregarding there are two proprietary software suites you’re trying to pair, as you went with two ready-made solutions for NAS + DSP. I don’t think it’s just a “USB dongle worked so any DAC will work” scenario.
This seems like as much a convo to have with Synology as with miniDSP - have you even contacted Synology?
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