Using a NAS with Pulsar

[JohnHorn]

Hello,

I'm considering whether to buy a Pulsar. I have a Lumin L1 NAS. I no longer have the Lumin X-1 streamer, which is why I'm looking to buy the Pulsar.

Questions:
1. Will the Pulsar be able to recognize and utilize the Lumin L1 on the Network? Lumin (like Innuos) uses Linux and UPNP.
2. Will the NAS be able to plug directly into the "Ethernet" jack on the Pulsar; and thus, function as a source off the network, but available to the Pulsar itself?
3. If the Pulsar can work directly or indirectly with my NA, will the Pulsar be able to stream DSD files stored on the NAS to my DAC? I've read Innous materials and in some places they write that only FLAC (and similar multi-bit files) can be played; but in other places the Innuos materials suggest that the Pulsar can play deliver DSD files to a DAC.

thank you!

--JAH

 

[Stephen Healy]

Hi John, thanks for your questions!

1. I don't think the PULSAR will recognise the Lumin server, no, because none of our devices are actually UPnP renderers, their UPnP will only extend as far as serving. Setting up a NAS drive to play files from is not done via UPnP in Sense, it is done by settings a Network File Path, a bit like Roon. However, according to this post on the Roon forum, the Lumin L1 NAS does not have Network File Path access/functionality.
2. A NAS drive, or any network device, plugged into the Ethernet port of the PULSAR will be totally available across your whole network, so it is not captive or exclusive to the PULSAR as such. It would still be fine to wire the NAS off that Ethernet port anyway, if you wanted to.
3. Assuming compatibility with the DAC, yes DSD files would be fine for playback from the PULSAR. You will definitely want a good connection between the NAS and the PULSAR due to the sheer size of the DSD files.

Based on how much of file library size you have, it could be worth considering one of our units with internal storage. I appreciate it is quite a step up, but a ZEN Next-Gen would sound even better plus also fully store all your files, and your existing server could be sold on.