Mac Mini as Music server - any tips?

I am interested in this as well. My 160 GB Apple TV is now about 90% full so I need a larger device. Like you I am using it to feed my Supernait. By the way, fyi, I am in Yaletown. I believe you are facing the Burrard St bridge (I saw your snow photo) John

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:
I am planning to buy a 320GB Mac Mini to use as a music server. Digital out, via optical to the SuperNait. I was going to hook the video to my TV via DVImini - DVI - HDMI to set it up, but then mainly just use my iPod Touch for control of iTunes. The Mini was going to be pretty much dedicated to this function. Maybe put some photos on it as well to show on the TV.

Anybody have any advice or know of any short-comings? Can the iPod touch "wake up" the Mac Mini from sleep/standby OK or will I need a bluetooth mouse or keyboard to get it to respond? I don't want to have to physically access it to get it to wake up.

I am planning to back it up to my TimeCapsule (initially vis ethernet, but then wireless using automatic backups).

I am using a headless Mac Mini with an external 750 GB HD as a music server. I can control it via Apple Remote Desktop app on my MacBook Pro and an iPhone. Everything works as expected but I configure the Mac Mini not to sleep since I do not see any point of letting it sleep from time to time.

But anyway, I think you can use iPhone/iPod touch to wake up the Mac Mini with the help of an iPhone app iWOL. I personally have not tried this tool but I think some people are saying that it only works if your Mac Mini is on Ethernet, but not on wireless.

I've had a 250gb Mac Mini/Ipod Touch for a couple of months, optical out to a Lavry. Setup and operation are straightforward. I have a screen attached to the Mini for setup and to install the software updates that Apple seems to come up with fairly often, also for occasional web browsing and email when the main PC is switched off. If you have the mini set up to automatically rip cds to iTunes and eject there's rarely a need to see what it's up to.

The remote app doesn't wake the Mini, but unplugging or re-plugging the USB cable from the Ipod does. A bluetooth mouse will also do the trick. I usually switch the Ipod off once a disc is playing & use the remote supplied with the mini for track advance and pause, the Ipod battery lasts much longer that way.

It's all very convenient and easy to use, I've never really thought CDs were worth getting out of the chair for! Only hitch I've found is that the the Touch sometimes loses contact with the Mini, but I suspect the Linksys wireless router I'm using at the moment is the culprit, waiting for a new Draytek due out soon.

quote:

Originally posted by bazz:
Only hitch I've found is that the the Touch sometimes loses contact with the Mini, but I suspect the Linksys wireless router I'm using at the moment is the culprit, waiting for a new Draytek due out soon.

This may not be the router as I have the same problem sometimes with my NetGear router and usually have to delete and then re-establish the Remote connection with iTunes. It would be interesting to know whether your Draytek solves this problem, however.

I do not think you guys really answer the questions posted by the OP. This is the most common issue with the Naim Forums, people tend to drift away from the original topic and they tend to discuss their own problems or their own (preferred) ideas.

OK to answer the question.

I use a mini as the main server for everything in my living room. Music, Video, TV Shows, iPlayer etc etc.

I would recommend the following.

Use the mini to the max, if you do not envisage this why waste the money an appletv will do just fine.

The supernait dac is fantastic in this type of set up, it can deal with the output from the mini just fine provided the stream is not 5.1

Download and get personal with PLEX media server, it will open the mac mini out to a truly great server, the built in software is crap by comparison.

The ipod touch will indeed attempt to wake the mac if its asleep.

Thanks everybody.

W,

I looked into getting a mini 18 months ago but it could output HiDef audio. I noticed that they have released an upgrade a few days ago - but I don't think they upgraded the spdif output.

I was still tempted - so if I've got this wrong and you manage to get it outputting 9624 please let me know.

One of the better articles I found was:

mac mini

M

Help! is this true about the Mini being unable to output 9624? I'm on the verge of setting up a second system for digital based around a Supernait and was almost settled on a Mac Mini, but sounds as though I may have to reconsider. What would be the most elegant solution without spending a deal of money, if I want to be able to play 9624 files? Suggestions gratefully received!

I have had a hunt around but didn't find much. This help-desk response seems to offer some hope. It lists the Mac Mini as a machine that supports rates higher than 48000.

Apple Support on Audio Issue

My MBP gives options for higher rates and bit-depths (up to 96/24) in the Audio setup, but it isn't clear whether those higher rates go to the SPDIF output or are reserved for USB/firewire devices. Streaming to an Airport Express IS limited to 44/16 but that's not we want to do, is it? We're talking about an SPDIF/Toslink connection direct to the SN.

SPDIF should easily be able to handle the bandwidth of 96/24 2ch audio from what I understand, so that's not the issue.

I might drop by the Mac store tomorrow and flick through the settings on a Mini there; and perhaps ask a "Genius".

9624 to optical output is definitely not a problem. Numerous posts in this forum mention about this setting for MacBook/Mac Mini. Btw, some people here may know better than the so-called Mac Genius.

Cool. I thought this was the case, but Mr Underhill cast some doubt...

Thanks QTT. It definitely looks like a goer.

Its more than capable of outputting that. But of course you need the files that do it, I cannot fathom the point of sending a standard encoded CD out at 96, there just doesn't seem to be any point.

Lastly just how much of this hi def music material is out there (That is not dreary hifi manufacturer crap?)

The link mr underhil refers to is from 1995 (!)

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
Its more than capable of outputting that. But of course you need the files that do it, I cannot fathom the point of sending a standard encoded CD out at 96, there just doesn't seem to be any point.

Lastly just how much of this hi def music material is out there (That is not dreary hifi manufacturer crap?)

Yeah, it isn't a big deal for me at all. In fact, never occurred to me as an "issue" until it was raised here. All my music is 44/16 from CD. Useful music in high-res formats may become available in the future, but I'll deal with that if it occurs (I'm not hopeful).

I noticed Mr Undehill's link was to an article of some heritage value.

Winky, maybe you, me, and Jadip should get together and buy our Mac Minis together so we can get a better deal...By the way, are you finished "borrowing" my Hicap? I need it back!

Sandy

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
Lastly just how much of this hi def music material is out there (That is not dreary hifi manufacturer crap?)

Beyond hundreds of stellar vinyl rips, I have been fortunate enough to find the CCR catalog released on 24/96 SACD.

Some others I have picked up used....

Sonny Rollins - Plus 4 (MFSL)
Bob Marley - Young Mystic (Audio Fidelity)
Pink Floyd - TDSOTM
Can - Monster Movie
Miles - Kind of Blue
Elton John - Madman across the Water
Holst - The Planets (MFSL)
Pixies - Surfer Rosa
Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul (MFSL)
Patricia Barber - Nightclub (MFSL)

and MANY more...... there are ,more than a few 24-96 masterings out there. Most are incredible.

They will come..... as the distribution method changes.

What do you mean on "24/96 SACD"?

SACD can not be 24/96, it is using 2.8 MHz, 1 bit only DSD stream.

quote:

Originally posted by ferenc:
What do you mean on "24/96 SACD"?

SACD can not be 24/96, it is using 2.8 MHz, 1 bit only DSD stream.

Sorry... that was to read SACD or 24/96....

quote:

Originally posted by QTT:
9624 to optical output is definitely not a problem.

QTT:
Excellent, time to do some retail therapy!

garyi:
HiDef material - lots, but mainly classical. You can rip DVD-A, but this tends to be the usual suspects in terms of albums. Certain suppliers, Linn for instance, supply at higher bit-rates.

Hopefully demand may drive up supply.

Yes, I know the link was old - but still a good overview. Last year I posted onto a couple of Mac forums with equivocal replies.

Winky:
Please go into excruciating detail as you progress!

M

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:

quote:

Originally posted by ferenc:
What do you mean on "24/96 SACD"?

SACD can not be 24/96, it is using 2.8 MHz, 1 bit only DSD stream.

Sorry... that was to read SACD or 24/96....

No problem I was sure it is just a typo.

Peter, with the SACDs--CCR, the MFSLs, the Can SACDs--I think every title you listed, if you are playing them over a computer you are hearing the redbook layer, as far as I know. Or do you have some utility that reads SACD and converts it to PCM?

While we are at it, though, I personally prefer old unremastered copies of Rollins (OJC--the Mofi is bright), Can (the original Spoon or Mute/Spoon version sounds less tampered-with for the first few Can albums), the Pixies (UK cd with the first two together is less detailed but again more natural to my ear--the mofi doesn't sound like any Albini production I've ever heard). These are all a matter of taste, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric Barry:
I personally prefer old unremastered copies of Rollins (OJC--the Mofi is bright), Can (the original Spoon or Mute/Spoon version sounds less tampered-with for the first few Can albums), the Pixies (UK cd with the first two together is less detailed but again more natural to my ear--the mofi doesn't sound like any Albini production I've ever heard). These are all a matter of taste, of course.

I couldn't agree more... I often avoid MFSL remasters although sometimes they are spectacular.

Surely on the OJC releases... i have a bunch.

I was more speaking to the fact that there is a lot of hi-res out there.

You can convert SACD or DVD-A to 24/96 much in the same way you transfer vinyl. I wont get into the details.

It is easy to dismiss all remasters as inferior to the original pressings.

I have little problems with the RVG remasters I was enjoying last night.

Top notch..... if you like classic combo jazz.

Nothing wrong with this re-master



It was advocated to me by a man wearing dark clothes. Contains the 68 mono mix and Frank's 1984 remix as well as a whole host of tracks I'd not heard before.