What spec Mac mini?

Modern computers can do (even hi-res) audio in their sleep. Our Mini can be ripping and transcoding DVD video while playing music with no noticeable effect on SQ. No need to get a high-spec version. 

If you're using USB, they will all be much the same. If you are using SPDIF, later versions (last 2 or 3 years?) had much better clock stability and lower jitter.

Big, not sure what you are describing here, your imac is controlling your server??

This thread might be of interest:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/which-mac-mini

I missed this one.

As Winki says, the normal MAC Mini is hardly awake just playing music.

I have had one for two years, using unmodified iTunes and a DAC V1 - NAP 100 combo. And the unique ESL [57] speakers from Quad, made in 1960 and 1968 [same original owner, who went stereo in 1968, and the pair serviced at One Thing Audio].

While I am never one to suggest that because I like something that someone else should share my view, but, even in simple form [without any additional RAM or anything] the MAC Mini [with 1 TB drive using plain iTunes with AIFF files] with DAC V1 is the best source I have ever had on every single level. The previous best was a CDS 2 - NAC 52 combo. I assume that the NAP 100 is just as fine as the my former NAP 200 when the 200 was driving SBLs, and the 100 has the extremely light load [if terrible impedance curve] of the ESLs. It runs stone cold.

In two years the Mini has never missed a musical beat ...

ATB from George

Garyi, my music files are on the server, the iMac uses iTunes to select the music.

Dear Wat,

It is not a question of me advocating iTunes as the best, but it is simple and easy to use. It also works really well in my experience with the music files on the computer hard drive. I do back up once a month to a separate external hard drive, for safety. I have disabled art-work, which I have heard others report can be problematic, but I always hated the artwork on LPs and CDs. The quality and pleasure for me comes exclusively from the performance of the music. My iTunes is really a massive electronic card index with nice search engine. This is crucial with 8000 music tracks to select from ...

And I have never been happier with the quality of replay though that might have to do with my very flat speakers! Even though they are quite fussy about source!

ATB from George

PS: One day perhaps you would help me assign a dedicated USB socket for the V1. Stu has tried to help, but I could not do it! I am still hopeless with anything remotely off the main path with computers.

I'm not advocating iTunes as THE solution either, it's just how I'm setup ATM.

I'm not a fan of Danny Baker so not too worried by his recommendation, whatever a DAS is, washing powder I believe.  

I have a RAID mirror server system so it seems sensible to keep that. I'm just investigating the possibility of relieving the iMac of all music duties. It also means that I can move the iMac to another part of the house if I want.

Wat kindly advised me with my set up and, although I use iTunes through Audirvana plus, it works very smoothly and sounds very good. 

Dear Wat,

Thanks for the help on USB. I am not going to fiddle till after my holidays are over, but I think I might be able to do it!

ATB from George

I think we are going a bit passed my original question. All I'm trying to figure out is if an earlier version of MM is worth getting if the price is right, or go for a newer one. I was just trying to save a few quid.

So it's more about minimum memory, processors, speed and such like and how that could impinge on the music replay, we can ch at about how that music gets from A to B later I think. 

The earlier versions had more jitter on the optical out.

Mine is the current base version wth 16GB of RAM (because I got a deal on the RAM). I would go for 8GB as a minimum as you are bound to experiment with other players such as Audirvirna, Amarra etc., all of which playback from memeory, so the more memroty you have the better.  I would recommend buying memory from a reputabloe third party rather than Apple itself due to costs and is it is easy fit RAM.

My processor only uses 3% of capacity during playback of 24/196 files.  Some like SSDs, I may replace my HDD when it becomes full/fails but do not see the need to do so before hand.

Go for it, afterall there is a 14-day retrurns policy if you buy from the OEM.

HTH

Jude

I am also opting Mac Mini as my main and only digital transport playing all my music in AIFF format. My Mac Mini has been upgraded to 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD (mainly for OS and AV+ App) with Audirvana 1.5.10 as the software player. I store my music library using 2TB USB WD Hard drive. Audio out from Mac Mini is USB connection to Stello U3 and DC1 to nDAC/XPS. I control and navigate my headless Mac Mini using iPAD  via VNC Remote software.

Currently I am upgrading my Mac Mini power supply to a Linear Power Supply because all Mac Mini are fitted with cheap and extremely noisy Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS). You can also look into Mojo Audio website where they sell DIY power supply parts. Beside this, I will be replacing my external USB HD with Firewire400 into my Mini. In a couple of weeks time I will know how much sonic improvement from these upgrades and whether it justifies the cost. Now it is too early to tell. I have read some even mod the internal fan but I am not going to that extreme to risk overheating the motherboard.

Cheers. 

Hi Howard, for a while I used a bog-standard Mini with 2gig RAM, & it was absolutely fine. Because I was using it for other things occasionally I increased the RAM (dead easy to do) to it's maximum 4gb & it made no difference to the sound at all. Playing audio files, even high resolution ones, is a doddle for 'puters.

I assume you'd be using the USB output into the Hugo. The later model Minis have a better optical output but if you don't use it, any model will be just peachy.

In my view, just go for a brand new machine.

Compared to a Cd player it is cheap.

ATB from George

I have a mac mini early 2009 (can be had for around 2 hundy) and a latest gen one. 

Sorry but they sound exactly the same to my ears.

Furthermore, if you want to save some serious money and are looking for a dedicated music playing server/streamer then get an intel NUC. They look nice, with an ssd virtually silent and cheap.

Put Daphile in it. Its superb. Based on Squeeze, it delivers a simple clean interface via a browser and can be controlled by a number of apps for phones/tablets etc.

It delivers bit perfect via USB output or on the slightly more expensive model optical as well.

It delivers DSD output to compatible DSD dacs

It delivers the music via DNLA/UPNP

Such a great device and a new set up can be made for as little as £160 quid.

If I remember rightly Audioverna only works after a certain os version, this may be a factor if you are considering using such software on an early version?

Setup:

- Mac Mini (Oyaide d+ FireWire)

- Weiss 202 DAC (Naim HiLine RCA to Din)

- Naim NAC 252

Mac Details:

- MM 2010 version (the last with CD player, handy for the occasional rip).

- System 10.8, iTunes 10.7 (the UI of the latest iTunes version is not to my taste. I much prefer the earlier version)

- Amarra HiFi. Hopefully one day iTunes will support plug-ins for sound playback. Until then we have to live with hacks, of which Amarra Hifi (at around 35 euro) is my favourite (also own BitPerfect and Audirvana).

- 300GB internal disc (mostly empty) +  4GB RAM. Changing either makes no difference to the sound.

- All music on external 1TB WD disc (silent). Connected to the right most USB port (looking from behind). It DOES make a sonic difference.

- Most music is on Apple lossless (90%), some AiFF and some MP3. 

- Music is ripped by iTunes (less than 0.1% issues)

- FLAC downloads are converted using XLD and sometimes examined via Audacilty (both free apps).

- Metadata edits and backup/archiving (to secondary 1 TB volume) using iBatch for iTunes 3. Secondary volume connected ONLY when needed for backup or retrieval.

- Oyaide d+ FireWire cable (around 80 euro) to DAC. A clear improvement over stock cable.

- Mark Grant power cable (around 50 euro). It definitely made a difference, but not always positive.

- MM is wired to the network via powerline plug. Wifi is off. No effect on SQ either way, but this way I have a more reliable connection.

- MM is headless, and controled either via screen sharing from my laptop, or via Remote.app

- HDMI dummy plug (around 5 euro from ebay) is attached to the HDMI port to enable GPU. Necessary for screen sharing speed.

 Pros : 

- Wonderful sound and synergy. 

- Unparalleled accessibility to music. Perfect for searchability + playlists.

Cons: 

- Not as wide soundstage as one achieved with CD transport source or streamer.

- MM PSU is cheap and very susceptible to current fluctuations. (Most possibly) the reason that SQ tends to vary from day to day (even within a day). 

- Not easy for friends / guests to use. Hence I have kept my CD transport.

+1.

Agree re keeping it away from any Naim equipment.  Mine is on a different shelf (about 12 inches away).

IME, switching off : wifi, Bluetooth, infra red as well as switching off unnecessary background services including the Finder,made a marginal difference in SQ (more clear top end)

Jude 

How do yo control it with remote ap or screen share if WiFi is off?

Ethernet I should imagine.

the MM is connected to the network via a powerline plug. 

I have a few of these plugs around the house (Netgear and other). 

The first plug is connected with the wifi-router using an ethernet cable. 

Another plug is connected to the mac mini also via ethernet cable, making a connection on the same network as all other devices (iPods, macs, TV, etc, wired or not).

The Netgear plugs are very reliable. Result is (a) no cables around the house (b) less tax on the wifi bandwidth.

re keeping it [the mac] away from any Naim equipment

Thanks for the suggestion.

I have the computer on heavy duty felt pads, but I'll try moving it away.

Maybe I'll get more consistent SQ.

That's what I do as well. The powerline and MacMini are plugged into the house circuit and I don't have any interference on the dedicated supply to the system. There is no change in SQ on the vinyl replay when they are unplugged. In addition I have the MacMini and WD RAID on the tiled surface of a nearby hearth. The Hugo is on the Fraim.