Which Mac mini

Posted by: stpierre76 on 29 January 2014

Hi guys,

I have just decided to get a Mac mini in order to be used as a media centre, but not sure which one to get and what specs.

Should I get the basic dual core or the quad core. Like I said it will only be used as a media server and will run windows on it via boot camp as I believe they work extremely well under boot camp and it will allow me to either use jriver or vortex as a server for streaming music to my naim qute and not have issues of server set up with mac....

could anybody advise me if it be better to upgrade the standard ram from 4g to 8g.

Also, would getting the basic Mac mini with 500gb hard drive,4gb ram plus store all my music onto a external drive via thunderbolt cable then get another external hard drive to store all the kids movies from itunes and home movies via usb3 be of any advantage. This way, it keeps the music and itunes movies totally separated.

Another question I have in kind is I know vortexbox is either sold as a software or a total hardware solution, but can one install vortexbox on a computer and still use the computer normally or does it take over totally and interfer with anything else.?

sorry for all the mundane questions, but quite tech and computer inexperienced.

regards

Posted on: 29 January 2014 by badlyread

Mac Mini update is expected very soon so hang on.

Having separate HDs sounds a good idea. Get the smaller RAM as no real need for anything huge (cheaper to change yourself if you so choose). As stuff is being stored on external HD why not swap internal HD for a 60 Gb SSD? This will handle the OS (May need a bit bigger as this is starting to bloat) and be faster.

No idea on the other stuff, but hang on for a bit and check the new spec (if old spec is ok ask for a discount on the old stock - Apple stores will do this).

Regards

Neil

Posted on: 29 January 2014 by garyi

I got a new one last week, the base model to replace a 2009 model. its overkill for audio so I would not look any further. also stick a usb 3 hdd on the side far cheaper and more storage, i got a 2 tb model for 60 quid.

Posted on: 30 January 2014 by Jude2012

@stpierre76....

The standard Mac mini will be great for music playback. My April 2013 base model uses about 5.5% of the processor when playing 24//192 music files via Mac OS. Not sure about movies or Windows via Bootcamp as I don't use the mini this way.

Regarding RAM, I currently use 4GB and rarely see memory swaps in Activity Viewer within Mac OS even though I am using Audivirna for music which relies on RAM.
Have no experience with the software that you are suggesting or Windows so cannot comment on that. However, as others have said, it is much cheaper to buy RAM from third parties rather than Apple.

In respect of an SSD, I would check the warranty if you decide to upgrade to an non Apple drive and buy brand new. Also, not sure whether an SSD Is an option on the base model if you buy directly from Apple.

HTH

J

Posted on: 30 January 2014 by Adrian F.

Has no one here in the forum tried one of those heavily pimped minis with external power supply (naim-style), internal power filters + shielding, anti-vibration platform, ect.? Even a room-correction software is optionally available...

http://www.coreaudiotechnology...c-mini-music-server/

I would be really interested, how a fully tuned model would stack up against naims server offers...

Posted on: 30 January 2014 by Tog

Forget pimping the Mac Mini - post 2012 versions are relatively low jitter and sound great into a descent USB dac.

Tog

Posted on: 30 January 2014 by Jude2012

@AdrainF, interesting and bizzare at the sametime .

I also wonder folks that are using and SSD can tell any difference in SQ.

Also, @Tog says the mini has low jitter, on its optical out, too....

Posted on: 30 January 2014 by Jan-Erik Nordoen

Originally Posted by Adrian F.:

I would be really interested, how a fully tuned model would stack up against naims server offers...

I've no experience with the Mac Mini, but I'm currently testing one of these with heavily pimped feet (optional) :

It's the CeolBox (you gaelics will get it), similar in size to the Mac Mini. It's essentially a RIP-NAS-PLAY device (2 TB WD Red for on board storage, 3TB optional), using VortexBox (you see Tog, there's hope for me yet). Rips CD and DVD (audio & video), includes the LogiTech Media Server, mirrors to ALAC, MP3. It's very quiet, even when ripping. Output is primarily via USB (Neutrik connector) with ferrites (hello Simon). Runs on an external 12V switching supply, and also on a 12V linear PS from the promised land, which brings its performance to the level of the UnitiServe. Using the HiFace USB to S/PDIF converter to feed the Naim DAC, then the SuperNait 2, I am struggling to find meaningful differences between the CeolBox and the UnitiServe. And that's comparing FLACs to WAV. I think the Ceolbox (or perhaps it's the HiFace) might have a slightly softer presentation than the U/S, but as for engagement with the music, they're equal. Control at the moment is via iPeng on the iPad and iPod Touch. Android apps available too. The designer has long experience in professional audio and video production and has some interesting ideas about what really matters in music reproduction (think timing).

The full description here (in French).

http://www.magazine-audio.com/...lbox-nas-and-beyond/

Specifications (also in French):

http://www.audio-occasion.qc.ca/pdf/Ceolbox.pdf

Jan

Posted on: 30 January 2014 by garyi

How do the LED lights aid in the sound?

Posted on: 30 January 2014 by Jan-Erik Nordoen

Baroque : no effect. Blues : lighter.

Posted on: 30 January 2014 by stpierre76

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I guess I will only get the basic Mac mini as it seems the most reasonable thing to do and spend the money on storage.

I was not even aware there was a new Mac mini due and will definitely keep an eye open and see how far it will be from being released. I need it fairly quickly as redoing the AV cabinet and room.

Thanks again for all the advice.

regards

Posted on: 14 April 2014 by Adrian F.

Further up this thread, I posted a link about coreaudio technology, which tunes the mac mini with external linear power supply and other tweaks for audiophile use.

This here is another company named YFS (your final system) that offers something similar:

http://www.yourfinalsystem.com...-supply-modification

Posted on: 14 April 2014 by PepsiCan

Why not go for the new Intel NUC? It's smaller and fanless.

Posted on: 15 April 2014 by oscarskeeper

Originally Posted by PepsiCan:

Why not go for the new Intel NUC? It's smaller and fanless.

Because it's not really any cheaper and is not a mac, which is what the OP wanted

Posted on: 15 April 2014 by PepsiCan

Originally Posted by oscarskeeper:

Originally Posted by PepsiCan:

Why not go for the new Intel NUC? It's smaller and fanless.

Because it's not really any cheaper and is not a mac, which is what the OP wanted

All the OP said was that he had decided on a Mac Mini. He/She presented no reason why it had to be a Mac. And my point is that the NUC would be a better solution than the Mac Mini because:

- it is fanless, so no noise or background humm. Mac Minis that run hot and need to use the disk a lot can get loud.

- it has an external power feed which means it is much easier to modify in that area than a Mac Mini (although I'm not sure now whether the latest model has a power brick or not)

- it is easier to modify and expand in terms of internal drives (but it is by no means comparable to a pc!).

Intel's NUC or any of the derived cases can be opened with standard screw drivers and using standard SATA cables can be connected to the motherboard. And it won't invalidate warranty. It saves you a handy buck as it is a DIY job and you can choose the parts you want (for media you don't need fast drives for example, or a big CPU. A core i3 or atom is sufficient. The i5 in the apple is pure overkill for media playback only. To illustrate, the Apple TV uses a single-core A5 chip of two years old to decode and play back full HD TV). The needs for audio / media players are quite different than for general computing. And the Macintosh platform is in my view not flexible enough to cope with the demands of audiophiles.

For just playing media the Mac Mini is overkill and it certainly is not an audiophile solution.

Posted on: 15 April 2014 by PepsiCan

Originally Posted by stpierre76:

Hi guys,

I have just decided to get a Mac mini in order to be used as a media centre, but not sure which one to get and what specs.

Why a Mac? For media only, it is overkill. Look at the Intel NUC or go to quiet PC's website for some better and cheaper alternatives.

The most basic model will suffice. But as you intend to run Windows, why not go for a Windows PC? Intel's NUC or a Shuttle PC or Streacom PC will cost you the same or less and will provide improvements in terms of heat dissipation and low noise.

could anybody advise me if it be better to upgrade the standard ram from 4g to 8g.

4G is ample. All you'll be running on it is a media server. At best you'll have two songs in memory at the same time. They won't even fill up the 4Gb. When you play movies, the system will cache part of the movie anyways.

The issue is that the 500Gb drive in the Mac will spin and make noise. To prevent that, you need a Solid State Drive, which Apple does not offer and you'll loose warranty when you open the box and put one in yourself. Do yourself a favour: Get an Intel NUC with a SSD and run only windows and the media software on it. Then pull your music from the NAS via your network. Quiet, cool and cheaper while coming with full warranty.

sorry for all the mundane questions, but quite tech and computer inexperienced.

regards

It sounds to me you want a Mac because it looks good, not because it is the right solution for you. If that is the case and you are in the UK, you may want to speak to the people at Quiet PC. There are similar outfits in other countries. What you really need is:

- Something quiet and inaudible (not a Mac Mini)

- Something that can run on a network

- Something low powered. The Core i5 chips are overpowered for what you want to do.

- Something that feeds USB into your DAC

- Something that looks good and is unobtrusive (Intel NUC, Shuttle PC, Streacom and some others)

Posted on: 15 April 2014 by Derek Wright

Get a used Mac Mini that works - any thing more recent than C2009, install a bigger drive and max out the memory and access it via Screen sharing from the main computer on the network. The Mac Mini then can be hidden away and connected via the network to the controller devices.

Posted on: 15 April 2014 by Jude2012

Originally Posted by PepsiCan:

Originally Posted by oscarskeeper:

Originally Posted by PepsiCan:

Why not go for the new Intel NUC? It's smaller and fanless.

Because it's not really any cheaper and is not a mac, which is what the OP wanted

All the OP said was that he had decided on a Mac Mini. He/She presented no reason why it had to be a Mac. And my point is that the NUC would be a better solution than the Mac Mini because:

- it is fanless, so no noise or background humm. Mac Minis that run hot and need to use the disk a lot can get loud.

IME the Mac Mini never gets got nor does does the HDD generate a lot of noise. Also, as you say, for audiophile use that the amount of processing needed is small so wht would the Mac Mini or Intel NUC get hot? Also, there are kits that either do away with the fan or divert control of the fan from the motherboard.

- it has an external power feed which means it is much easier to modify in that area than a Mac Mini (although I'm not sure now whether the latest model has a power brick or not)

Agree that the 2012 model does have an interal SM PSU which is more difficult to upgrade. However, there are plenty of paid for services that can be commissioned to do this. Interestingly, on this audiophile forum, AFAIK, no one has done this.

- it is easier to modify and expand in terms of internal drives (but it is by no means comparable to a pc!).

Agreed, however, not that dificult. Also it is possible to install two drives if need be.

Intel's NUC or any of the derived cases can be opened with standard screw drivers and using standard SATA cables can be connected to the motherboard. And it won't invalidate warranty. It saves you a handy buck as it is a DIY job and you can choose the parts you want (for media you don't need fast drives for example, or a big CPU. A core i3 or atom is sufficient. The i5 in the apple is pure overkill for media playback only. There are arguments that a faster processor, although not necessary, are better as they are working less hard and thus do not create electrical noise. Although this is difficult to prove.

To illustrate, the Apple TV uses a single-core A5 chip of two years old to decode and play back full HD TV). The needs for audio / media players are quite different than for general computing. And the Macintosh platform is in my view not flexible enough to cope with the demands of audiophiles.

If you follow this logic, then get a Raspberry Pi.

For just playing media the Mac Mini is overkill and it certainly is not an audiophile solution. It would be interesting to understand what your experience of this is. FWIW it is possible to run Windows or Linux natively on any Intel Mac.

Another well documented feature of the Mac Mini on this forum is the low jitter of its optical out connection and use with the Naim DAC (albeit limited to 24/96 as the most).

In the end its up to personal choice as to go with whichever set up they need. I just want to myths cleared up.

Jude.