Mac user - advice on moving away from CD please

Posted by: BrendanD on 22 January 2013

Hi.

I currently have a nice sounding system: CDX2/XPS2/(Hiline and Powerline)/NAC202/NAPSC/Hicap2/NAP200/S400

Have about 400 CDs, and thinking of moving to a streaming solution, with possibly an upgrade in the source as well. I do not want tons or wiring, renmote NAS, windows computers, non-naim streamers, boxes whirring away and complex ripping and tagging procedures or I'll just stick with CD. I have stared buying downloads and burning them to CD which is a bit daft. Happy with iTunes as an interface as been using it for years.

 

Options I'm considering:

Mac Mini server with 2 x 256GB SSD CDs on iTunes in ALAC

- with either Toslink to NDAC or

- Ethernet to NDS, linked via a GB switch, the Mini on the rack and an airport express to link to the rest of the network.

I'd use the XPS2 on either. I know I'll need to listen, but are these both VIABLE options?

- I also have an offer of a used HDX SSD, but it seems a bit redundant having done some reading, am I correct?

Thanks

Brendan

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by DQ

Hello,

 

There will be a legion of opinions on how good mac mini with Toslink is so I will let others comment there. I run both itunes and UPNP. Personally I find UPNP a lot simpler to use though I know others find the inverse.

 

If you decide to go the dedicated streamer route, ASSET UPNP now has a Mac version, so you can have your Mac Mini run UPNP and get all the right art handling etc.

 

Not sure I quite got your proposed network configuration, but what I learned from others here is that you should have a switch downstream from your wifi router (airport express) and then have the server (Mac Mini) and the NDS plugged into that switch. I think that is what you wrote.

 

The NDS is quite a solution, mine is still warming up but it makes terrific music. I had the four stack of NDS/XPS/NDAC/555PS and it was excellent. The NDS is both better and different in my view. 

 

Cheers

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Disposable hero

Being in a similar position (thinking of ditching CD player) perhaps Mac Mini server to TOSlink > nDAC is the easiest way? In my case it would be the general use computer that is also a music server (MacBook) but you may want two separate entity - hi-fi computer and general use computer. Streaming and network players appear to be troublesome.

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by james n

I'm not sure what the Mini Server will gain you in this. If you go the NDS route, then bung a standard mini in a cupboard somewhere with a large external USB hard drive and run something like playback as your UPnP server. It integrates nicely with iTunes so you can use this for library management, iDevice updating etc and serve tracks to the NDS. 

 

James

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by BrendanD
Originally Posted by james n:

I'm not sure what the Mini Server will gain you in this. If you go the NDS route, then bung a standard mini in a cupboard somewhere with a large external USB hard drive and run something like playback as your UPnP server. It integrates nicely with iTunes so you can use this for library management, iDevice updating etc and serve tracks to the NDS. 

 

James

I live in a studio flat in central London (great location, not a lot of space) so I don't have a cupboard 'somewhere' to stick a noisy hard drive. So thinking the Mini with 500GB of SSD would be a nice quiet alternative that will look Ok on the rack too.

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by BrendanD
Originally Posted by DQ:

Hello,

 

There will be a legion of opinions on how good mac mini with Toslink is so I will let others comment there. I run both itunes and UPNP. Personally I find UPNP a lot simpler to use though I know others find the inverse.

 

If you decide to go the dedicated streamer route, ASSET UPNP now has a Mac version, so you can have your Mac Mini run UPNP and get all the right art handling etc.

 

Not sure I quite got your proposed network configuration, but what I learned from others here is that you should have a switch downstream from your wifi router (airport express) and then have the server (Mac Mini) and the NDS plugged into that switch. I think that is what you wrote.

 

The NDS is quite a solution, mine is still warming up but it makes terrific music. I had the four stack of NDS/XPS/NDAC/555PS and it was excellent. The NDS is both better and different in my view. 

 

Cheers

Thanks, helpful, yes thats what I had in mind for the network.

Sounds like I'm right that the HDX is a different direction and DAC or NDS is more the future?

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by DQ
Originally Posted by BrendanD:
Originally Posted by DQ:
Yes, HDX is in a very different direction.
 
Given that I assume you already have the hang of ripping etc, that benefit would not be there. Also, if you do rip using HDX, it is not easy to get the tagging to convert to itunes for music on the move etc.
 
Best
 
Posted on: 22 January 2013 by AntonD

Hi Brendan

Similar to James above this is what I do. I have iMac but its in my office wired to the router. Nd5 downstairs connected to Netgear switch. Run playback UPnP software on iMac and this serves the nd5 very well. iTunes for managing/tagging music on iMac and it all works seamlessly.

So I think normal Mac mini would be ok for you, maybe 1 TB version though.

feeding an nds I came only imagine the sound you will get. Will have to demo one some day. Good luck with everything.

Anton

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Guido Fawkes

> Mac Mini server with 2 x 256GB SSD


How are you going to configure it .. OS on one and Music Library on the other? 


Why not the standard MM with Fusion drive? 


MM > Supernova 6 > Naim DAC just works sounds great and can be improved over time. 


UPnP is no longer in use in these parts as I wanted music not problems - OK everybody else has it solved, but it is not for me. Just playing some DSD streams at the moment. 


NDS does sound very good and it does have optical inputs if you don't want UPnP, but you still need a PC for firmware upgrades ... so I'm waiting for the Reference DAC. 

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Dustysox

I'm not sure why UPnP etc get such a bad press. I have a very old NAS running WHS (not sure what version, suffIce to say it's not the latest), and all works fine. For me providing I follow a set of rules/procedure all works very well. I have all my music backed up to two external hard drives in the event something bad happens with the NAS, which could happen at any time. This all feeds into a switch and onto NDS and all works brilliantly. If/when the NAS fails then I'll be interested to see what route I go down...maybe a Mac Mini.

 

We all get to hear about the problems, never do I read a post and someone says "you know what, my computer based hifi just works and sounds brilliant", now wouldn't that be dull 

 

Brenden, all of the options you mention are good. Once you have ripped all your music (and that is a very time consuming event on its own) the convenience is heaven,and if you decide NDS is something you can afford to. make happen, then you my friend are in for a very NICE time. Close the curtains, stock the fridge, phone off etc! Trust me, you won't want anybody disturbing you!! 

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Guido Fawkes

Mac Mini > Supernova 6 > Naim DAC 

 

I'd just like to say you know what, my computer based hi-fi just works and sounds brilliant


All the best, Guy 

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by Dustysox
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

Mac Mini > Supernova 6 > Naim DAC 

 

I'd just like to say you know what, my computer based hi-fi just works and sounds brilliant


All the best, Guy 

 

Very good Guido 

Posted on: 22 January 2013 by BrendanD
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

> Mac Mini server with 2 x 256GB SSD


How are you going to configure it .. OS on one and Music Library on the other? 


Why not the standard MM with Fusion drive? 


Use one as a back up for the other. Main reason for going SSD is to keep it silent.