Tired of having to get out of the chair...

The VortexBox "appliances" are quite reasonable - potentially cheaper than a mac mini.  see vortexbox.org.  I also use mine as a home back up NAS, so I think its quite economical for a UPNP server, ripper and general purpose NAS.  Its been on for almost 4 months straight. Occasionally I need to restart the auto ripper (click a button on the web based control panel) every 100 cds ripped, but that's it.  I also have a Lacie NAS which I need to fuss with every 48 hours to keep working.

Hi, Robert,

I am running Squeezebox Server on an old G5 OS X 10.5.x box.  No connection required between the Mac and hifi.  The sound quality of my SBT and my new Mini, both into the nDAC, is equal, possibly even favoring the SBT a little, IMHO.  

The only issue running that old a Mac is the latest iTunes is not supported, which sounds like a non-issue for you.

Nick

I use a MacMini mid 2010 model. It's the second last one with the built in superdrive. This runs iTunes with the library on a Qnap NAS. I tried it all out on an external drive before I got the the NAS. This feeds into a Naim DAC using an optical lead. All is good.

I don't see any reason why you can't do as you plan, there are many on this forum who use a MacMini.

Robert,

Any Mini without a CD/DVD drive on board has the superior optical out. Before that, you would need a HiFace or similar interface into a DAC for best SQ.  

The SBT via co-ax has more/better bass than a Mini via optical.  Both are great, but if you want to save money and don't mind the SBT interface and server, SBT  is still the way to go, IMHO.  Cheap thrill, actually, as I listen to it now.  SBT sells for dirt now.  (Wink to Stoik.)

Nick

P.S.  Surprise!  Used SBT on Amazon today are actually $690 and up!  Hmmm.  Must be pretty good. Not exactly "dirt"!  I got mine for $225, when the Market was afraid.  A tiny bit chuffed about that.

MacMini4,1. That it says when I look at "About this mac".

Robert,

Do you intend to use the Mac as a server to the SBT, or as a transport replacing the SBT? 

I do both, but am tempted to unhook the Mac from the DAC and move it away from the hifi, dedicating it to being server for the SBT exclusively.  No real down side, unless you are tired of the SBT user experience; and any old G5 or better Mac will do.

Nick

I think that's the model identifier. I'm not sure how that works but if you look in the same area it will tell you when it came out.    e.g. Mid 2009.   You can easily google the specs with that

Yes, like I said in my previous post "I use a MacMini mid 2010 model."

Hi, Robert,

I think blaming the SBT for glitchiness when its server is dying and your Internet is iffy suggests images of babies and bath water.  A new Mac will not overcome the Internet issues that bother Spotify.  

Speaking from owning both the SBT and a Mini into the nDAC, and having listened to them both again, thanks to this thread, I suggest you consider keeping the SBT, no matter what you decide to serve with, Mac, VB, or other.  (At least until some software update makes the SBT unusable!)

Also, if you are not doing it already, avoid wireless networking, except for remote controls.  

Best of luck.

Nick

Robert,

How are you getting on?

Tonight I did the blind test again, and, much as I wished the stock Sonos to succeed due to the superior interface (especially as I have their wonderful Control unit), Mac Mini and SBT won the day. SBT is still THE affordable, non-Naim streamer for sound quality in this household, especially playing Spotify Premium.

Nick

Hello Nick, 

I agree with you regarding the SBT. It really is amazing, I wish it was still in production but I bought a second one whilst they were still affordable so I'm okay. With the 24/196 SBT mod into the DAC, I'm quite happy.

Robert, are you using wifi or wired? Is this just an internet problem or a network issue? If you stay with Naim, consider the ND5XS instead of the NDX as well. Very close in SQ and a lot more affordable. 

Arun

Hi Nick and Arun,

I think I've come to some sort of conclusion (prior to auditions at least).

I think I've worked out that a chunk of the dropouts that I've been experiencing have been down to a rather flaky wireless network. I've considered trying to get a wired network in place but am erring on the side of improving the wireless side of things (I've been told that the BT Homehub2 that I'm using is pretty poor) and I'm looking at the Apple Airport Extreme to give me a more solid wi-fi connection. This also seems like quite a bargain compared to the cost of buying a complete wireless router. It also means that I get to keep the simplicity of the homehub for logging onto the broadband service (which I know is easy but it's just one more thing too many at the mo!). Following on from this I think I'll be going down the seemingly popular route of Mac Mini into NDAC controlled by an ipad. At this point the SBT will probably by go into a second system.

So... next comes the saving and auditioning (I'll probably have a listen to the NDAC against the NDX / ND5XS and possibly Linn streamers and take it from there).

So do you think this sounds reasonable and is there anything else that I should be listening to in order to get a good idea of whats out there and where the naim gear sits in relation to the competition (though I have to admit the naim route does appeal!)?

Cheers,

Robert

You could try and find an old macMini with optical drive on eBay. just make sure it's an intel processor model, not the old G4 before it. Intel core 2 duo would work great. Then get a usb to coaxial converter  if you don't want to use the optical out. I would also swop out the old Hard drive for an SSD which will run cooler and silent. And you have a perfect server for your music.

if I didn't already have the UnitiQute I would definitely go the macMini/DAC route.

regards

Dom

Hi, Robert,

Given what you have said, I second your decision to get the Apple APExtreme.  Next I would wire both the SBT and just about any reliable computer running XP or OS X 10.6 or better to it.  Turn wireless OFF on both the computer and SBT.  Let the Extreme make the wireless leg to your Internet box.  Leave only the SBT wired to the DAC.

Use iTunes only to organize your ripped music library, and Logitech Media Server to stream everything (over the wire, thru the Extreme) to the SBT.  Install Spotify, and SpotRemote apps.  If your Internet is poor, create Spotify playlists and set them to play while offline.  This will get you all the quality Spotify has to offer, for the least money.  

Unless you actually want to repurpose the SBT, like to your second system, there is no reason I can think of that replacing it with a new Mac, connected optically to the DAC, buys you any benefit.  Maybe you have other reasons?  Fewer boxes, I suppose.  But my plan allows the PC or Mac to be anywhere an Ethernet cable can reach, even in another room (where it could moonlight as a "computer"!). Most important, it lets you experience all the SBT can do without the performance hit you often get with wireless.

Good luck,

Nick

Great advice from Nick here, nothing for me to add. Perhaps it's your router? From what I've heard, the Apple Airport Extreme might be your answer. I'm not an Apple fanboy so can't help you there. If you can get a nice solid wired connection sorted, you're golden. The SBT really is an impressive and affordable device once you get your network working perfectly. As Nick mentioned, use the Logitech Media Server - it's very good. The SBT can also be controlled by Apple and Android devices. 

If not, by all means look at Naim (and others) for streamers, DACs etc. The one great thing about getting a Naim streamer is the system integration ie volume control. With the DAC, the Naim remote can be used to select sources if you have multiple sources like I do into the DAC. Keep that in mind. Even the new DAC might be a good place to start if price is an issue.

Arun

Thanks Dom,

Some good clear advice there! I'll have a gander on fleabay and see what's available and what sort of price they are going for.

Robert

Robert,

Yes, you have understood my suggestion.  

Are you sure it is the Wi-Fi aspect that is flaky?  If your Internet service is "dodgy" because you are in the sticks, improving your wireless connection to that dodgy service gains you little.  Try a temporary wire instead of wireless for each leg to see if wireless is even a problem.  Under optimal conditions, Wi-Fi can work very well.  But if you have not tested and compared performance without Wi-Fi, you do not know what  you might be missing, both in sound quality and reliability.  It is cheap and easy to test.

If you do need to improve your wireless performance in the home, Wireless-N is more solid than Wireless-G.  The Extreme does both; the SBT and NDX only do G, I believe.  Newer computers do both, so, if you go that way, you might be better off putting the Extreme on your Internet box in that case, connected wirelessly to the computer, or to another AirPort Extreme that joins the pieces at the Hi-Fi together.  Lots of possibilities and variables; control the ones you can!

In my system, Wi-Fi is only used to allow my iPad to control my Mac Mini and SBT; I do not opt to stream through the iPad, because the Mac Mini and SBT do a better job of it.

Nick

Quite right, IMO.

You don't even need an iPad ... just drive directly from the Mini. Very easy.

ATB from George

Hi Nick,

Yes, this is they way that I'm leaning at the moment.

I have tried the SBT hardwired into the network and this seemed to work without any problems with the exception that this isn't a medium to long term option. I have pondered getting an electrician in to run some Cat5 from my router to a suitable socket next to the SBT but figure that this will end up being more expensive than the Airport Extreme and will only benefit the Hifi whereas with the Airport Extreme my whole network will benefit. This would then eventually fit nicely (hopefully I would see some nice synergy between the apple products!) with a Mac Mini that would take on the job of streaming my ripped CDs and Spotify Premium all controlled by an ipod touch and then ultimately by an ipad. Phew!

A consequence of this is that the SBT will get bumped to a second system - probably my daughter's - she is considering a Nexus 7 which I can see will be a nice little controller for the SBT!

Never thought that I'd be so 'into' apple but it does seem that they produce one of the neatest solution available at the moment (without going down the route of something like the HDX). It also seems to have the added attraction that 'it just works' out of the box.

Many thanks for all your thoughts and contributions.

Best regards,

Robert