Computer-based Streaming with Ayre QX-5

A friend of mine is purchasing an Ayre QX-5 and will initially be using it with his transport.  He would like to get into computer audio at some point.  What is the preferred, albeit simplest, way to use the QX-5 to play music that he has on his NAS?  Should he just use the mconnect app?  That's what the dealer suggested trying.  I know Synology also has a streaming player which can be used.  He isn't that computer savvy so I'd like to set something up for him that he can easily use.

The QX-5 is Roon Ready, so control by an iPad or iPhone, Android is straight forward enough.

I'm not sure A Roon Server can install on any NAS though, for the moment on QNAP and Synology NAS is it. Have a look here at Roon downloads for NAS. 

All computer systems take 'some' time with setup, but Roon is about the easiest, HQPlayer the hardest, Jriver is also a steep learning curve. The latter two are best installed on Windows or OSX.

The QX-5 has a direct Ethernet connection, so no spaghetti devices much required either, just a cable to a router/switch.

I think your friend can work with this pretty much unattended, he already knows how to copy files onto the NAS for new music, that's the maintenance aspect all taken care of, Roon does the rest.

I didn’t realize that jriver works with Ethernet DACs.  I have always used it via USB.  That may be an option since I can set it up for him.

Thanks.

Install MinimServer on the NAS:

http://minimserver.com/downloads/

Wire the Ayre to his network. Use whatever PC or mobile UPnP/DLNA controller you prefer. JRiver is one; Ayre's mconnect is another.  It's covered in the Ayre manual.

not sure if Ayre qx-5 support Jplay ios app?

22 hours ago, ufoerp said:

not sure if Ayre qx-5 support Jplay ios app?

It should according to the information in the manual:

Quote

The Ethernet Input on the QX-5 Twenty will
immediately attempt to communicate with
your home network as soon as it is physically
connected. The unit will appear on your network
as “Ayre QX-5” and can be controlled with any
UPnP control app.