Anyone using a Mac mini with Qobuz?

I have a Qobuz HiFi subscription, and have used it on several devices.

I did not particularly like it on the Mac Mini. I am so used to having used a Mini with Audirvana+ (I also have Pure Music and Amarra), that I did not like the sound so much from the Qobuz app on OS-X.

In fact, in my Naim system, I use a SB Touch alongside my Naim UnitiServe specifically for Qobuz. 

I have never enjoyed trying to use an iPad to control a Mac Mini, which is kind of ironic. There are a number of VNC apps available in iOS that will enable you to do this, but I have always found them laggy and difficult to maintain the connection.I normally control my Mac Minis via Screen Sharing with a MBP, which is much better than VNC.

Better than a Mac Mini, for Qobuz or indeed any form of streaming, is an Auralic Aries. But this will cost at least double a Mac Mini (I am not in the UK, and don't know your local pricing). It will stream either via Ethernet or via wireless, and output via USB/Optical/Co-axial/AES-EBU. Controlled via Auralic's LightningDS iOS app, and the Qobuz interface is very nice. As well as Qobuz, it also has Tidal WiMP loaded - I believe this is about to be launched in the UK, and like Qobuz streams uncompressed (Redbook) audio.

The Auralic will stream 24/352.8kHz, so you are covered for future use. Not a cheap option, but better sounding and much more pleasant to use than a Mac Mini.

I forgot to add that I would prefer that Naim did actually move a little faster to integrate these services into their streaming products. It is not that hard, and unlike internet radio services, there is no licensing cost that I am aware of. 

On-demand streaming is gaining huge traction around the world. It is the method by which most younger people listen to music. 

I have been "into" audio for 30 years, but never considered a Naim product until they developed their streaming technology. Bought a UnitiServe, was very impressed, and so bought a Naim system as a result. I know Naim are a relatively small company, but this is the side of the business that will take them forward, and they need to be leading, not lagging. They should be putting more resources into this.

I think the Mac Mini is at it's best when used in conjunction with the iOS Remote app, which is basically a focused touch based user interface for iTunes and Apple TV. I run mine this way over the DAC-V1's Asynchronous USB input. I use Audirvana Plus 2 in 'iTunes Integrated Mode' This way I can all the benefits of the iOS Remote and Audirvana's sound and system optimisation.

You can, and I do run Qobuz on the Mac Mini, but you need to use a screen sharing app to control it form an iPad. I like Screens. If you have a decent network, latency isn't the biggest issue. In my opinion it's using a touch interface for something that is designed to be used with a keyboard and pointing device. As Fused points out using a notebook is going to be easier. OS X and iOS devices both use VNC for screen sharing / Remote Desktop.

Regarding iPads newer, more powerfull iPads handle screen sharing better. I'm using an iPad Air, which is good but my wife's iPad Air 2 is noticeably faster. Her iPad Mini - original A5 version - doesn't have the horsepower, and my old iPad 3 is a joke.

My suggestion is actually to get either a Sonos Connect or Bluesound Node and not a Mac Mini if streaming is the goal. The Sonos in particular is very cheap these days. Both devices support Qobuz.

Why if I'm recommending a Sonos/Bluesound approach, am I not doing that myself and instead using the Mac Mini for Qobuz? It's an interim solution.

I signed up to Qobuz for 12 months last December and Beats Music more recently. Until their current financial situation is resolved one way or the other I'm nervous about signing up for another year of Qobuz. Additionally I've found that streaming doesn't replace buying music for me. I use it as more of a try before you buy service, so ultimate quality isn't so important because if I like the recording I'll try and buy the highest quality download possible.

Beats will likely be integrated into iTunes so I'm hoping the Remote App will take care of that next year. If I thought Beats was going to stick around on Sonos or Qobuz increased the size of their library and had some financial stability, then I'd buy a Sonos connect today for streaming. 

Links:

iOS Remote: https://itunes.apple.com/en/ap...ote/id284417350?mt=8

Screens: https://itunes.apple.com/us/ap...ter/id655890150?mt=8

Until the market settles down 2-3 years I think it will be very tough for companies like Naim to keep up. That also assumes that the companies who do survive continue to provide API access to their services.

Due it's current financial issues I don't think we can be too hard on Naim for not having gotten Qobuz up and running. 

Very grateful for the high quality replies already posted - this really is an excellent, well-informed forum. Please keep 'em coming!

Paul 

This is my view.  Having Naim chasing the latest 'flavor of the month' provider of streaming services is not on my priority list either.  

HDTracks and Bluesound have a deal that permits the two to talk to each other and synch purchases.  It's not streaming, however.

I still think that Airplay to an Airport Express, or bluetooth, from an iPad or iPhone is the way I'd deal with these issues.

I generally agree, it's how I use Beats, but one draw back is that constant streaming over wifi comes with a hit on battery life.

A mini would be great but totally overkill. Intel NUC, half the price.

Hmm, but how would that play in what has become a wholly Apple environment in my house?

If it's just for streaming get a used mini for a couple hundred..

Ok...I'm gonna talk like you guys "across the pond"   ...get a used mini for a couple hundred quid.  It's a nice piece of kit !

OMG I'm hilarious