Best practice for creating a local library: DLNA? Folder structure?

[Underbridge]

Hi all. I'm planning to buy a WiiM Amp Ultra. I have a local MP3 library ripped from CDs stored on a NAS, but I want to recreate it in lossless FLAC to use with the new WiiM. I thought I would ask the community for guidance before I get too far along.

As I am starting from scratch, what is the best practice way of serving up the library to the WiiM? Should I use DLNA, or something else? The WiiM would be the main/only consumer of it. The NAS is old and due for replacement - Netgear ReadyNAS Duo V2. It doesn't support modern security protocols but it apparently has DLNA. I'll get a new one at some point, so that will have up to date features. As an interim step, I could just dump the library onto a drive plugged into the WiiM's USB port until then.

Also, the library structure. I have started using Exact Audio Copy, configured for lossless conversion according to guides I found online. I am ripping into a structure that looks like this:

• Artist 1
  • Album 1
    • Track 1.flac
    • Track 2.flac
    • Track N.flac
    • Cover.jpg
  • Album 2
    • Track 1.flac
    • Track 2.flac
    • Track N.flac
    • Cover.jpg
• Artist 2
  • etc.

EAC also creates a cue file and log file for each CD, which I have left there. EAC populates the main metadata tags, including CD Title, CD Artist, Year, Genre, Track Title, Composer.

The cover artwork JPG that EAC finds is usually 1400x1400, sometimes smaller.

Do I want artwork as a separate JPG like this, or embedded in the files? Not sure if EAC also embeds it, or how to tell.

Is the above the usual way? Is there anything else I should be doing or capturing to give the best experience?

I know the WiiM screen is small, but I might use the WiiM app on a Chromecast with Google TV to display artwork etc. on a nearby screen, and am looking forward to having that capability.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

[d6jg]

So Lyrion can replace use of the WHA. Surely this is only in relation to selection of audio input. If I want to change EQ presets or anything like that, I (or other victims of my decisions) would still need to use more than one app... or possibly the WiiM remote.

Correct. WHA for settings related stuff. Material / Lyrion for choice of what to play.