Mac mini to DAC V-1 what to use?
Posted by: Foxman50 on 21 July 2013
Im thinking of having a change and setting up a mac mini into the dac v-1 via usb. But wondering what music player to use on the mini. I know the obvious choice is to use itunes but all my music is stored in flac and really dont want to convert it.
There must be a remote app for ipad, yes i know itunes has this, that can browse albums with artwork, yes i know itunes has this. Id also need to be able to store the music files on a NAS drive.
Not too much to ask for? any suggestions.
I concur with Stover, keep it simple: convert all your files to AIFF (very easy with e.g. XLD), use iTune with the BitPerfect add on that switch automatically the Mac settings to the correct bit depth and sampling rate.
You can control the headless Mac using either another Mac, thanks to the VNC client that is supplied with the OS (just type “Command” K) or the iPad with any VNC client (I use Screens app)
You can control iTune with an iPad and the Remote app.
Hi Foxman
I use a Synology NAS212+, feeding AIFF files via
a mac mini running itunes + the BitPerfect app
through a USB cable to the DAC-V1, a NAP140 and pair of PMC DB1i
It has worked flawlessly and most enjoyably from day 1.
However, my Naim dealer recommends Audirvana as the best software to use on the mac, for reasons of sound quality & robustness. If you are staying with FLAC, then this might be the option for you.
Hope this helps, FT
Hi FT
Yes, think its a toss up between this and jriver for mac, which has its own remote app for ipad. Jriver will do away with itunes all together, which is no bad thing in my book, but its still in beta form so may not be the best. Thanks for your input
I am running the mac mini headless but haven't managed to start j river on boot yet... possibly because I am running the beta?
If you are more technically minded, a completely different approach might be to try mpd (music player daemon) which is available through brew/macports. Then use something like MPoD for the ipad.
Hi beeka
Yes Jriver looks appealing
Been reading up on CA and Jriver websites and people have jriver starting at bootup. Cant help there as ive no idea with macs but im sure if you have a look over at CA's site they could point you in the right direction.
Think ill leave that last option as that seems too complicated for me.
Thanks for your suggestions
I concur with Stover, keep it simple: convert all your files to AIFF (very easy with e.g. XLD), use iTune with the BitPerfect add on that switch automatically the Mac settings to the correct bit depth and sampling rate.
You can control the headless Mac using either another Mac, thanks to the VNC client that is supplied with the OS (just type “Command” K) or the iPad with any VNC client (I use Screens app)
You can control iTune with an iPad and the Remote app.
Thanks alainbil
When i get my mac mini, rumours of a new one on its way, ill try a few audio players first, but failing all else this is the way to go. Just really don't want to go through the hassle of converting nearly a thousand albums.
Thanks for your help
Hi Foxman
Tip tip re JRiver, thanks.
The mean reasons that I haven't tried either Audirvana or JRiver are simply that: 1) I'm still in wonder at how good computer streamed audio can sound, and 2) I'm frankly nervous about the fragile nature of software compatibility on the network side, so stick with what I know works, until such times as it either doesn't or I pluck up the courage to try something better.
I'd read about a compatibility issue between Audirvana and the latest OSX software shortly after launch, so shied away at that point.
Best regards, FT
Yes i know what you mean, nothing worse than tinkering with something that works, only to make it not work. To be honest i hate computers of any nature, as there only an update away from being broken.
Still i think this is the way to go for me, so ill be taking the plunge.