MacBook Pro Query

Why a Macbook when you could get a well specced Mac Mini for less? Before I bought a streamer I used a Macbook into a DAC and it was often unreliable, and I put this down to the fact that it was a busy, multitasking computer. With a 'music only' computer, there's no temptation to use it for checking emails, surfing, etc. etc. and it's configuration can be optimised for audio.

I understand that if you are streaming from the Mac via USB, then the source files should be connected via Thunderbolt. Better for sound quality.

Whilst it's likely true a Mac mini would be better if you're planning a music only machine, if you are planning to use it fo other things then consider the 256GB version if you can run to it.  Gives you quite a bit more flexibilit.

I had the same problem with my MacBook Air 250GB, but have recently upgraded it to a 480GB SSD using a Transcend JetDrive kit.

Very easy, took me all of about half an hour, and the kit comes complete with the tools you need to open the Mac and change the drive, plus a USB3.0 housing to take your existing SSD and convert it into an external hard drive.

Oh, and the Transcend SSD seems to have made the computer much faster than it was with the factory fitted SSD.

Highly recommended!

Many thanks for your quick and informative replies . 

ChrisSU, my set up is currently in the office so I would be using the MBP for other duties also. Would be nothing heavy duty though, only word processing, light browsing etc. When I eventually move the hi-fi I intend on getting a MM and using the MBP to control it via screen share.

K90Tour2 and Wat, I've noticed that the Thunderbolt external drives don't seem to be excessively expensive so I think that this is probably the more flexible option for me.

Andrew, The ability to be able to upgrade a non-retina MBP myself when needed at a later date was something that I had found very tempting, but I think that the replies here have swayed me towards the retina version with 256GB storage (which unfortunately can't be upgraded manually). The defining factor being that I can add an external Thunderbolt drive to improve storage capacity and play from there without losing any sound quality. Unless anyone tells me otherwise...

Thanks again all!

Once you've experienced the Retina screen, there's no going back. Treat your eyes as carefully as you do your ears ! I started on a Retina iPod, then added an iPad, and now the 15 in. MacBook Pro, which I bought essentially for writing. It is almost like looking at a printed page. As for sound, the MBPro + Audirvana into the Mirus DAC is a top-notch source. Still not up to my 2TB UnitiServe though, which has been strangely reliable. Must be a duff unit.    

It would be better to have a MacMini dedicated to music with a MB Pro to control the MM and for your other duties. A WD Thunderbolt drive works well, along with Audirvana and a good DAC, like the 2Qute or Hugo. I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. 

I recently made the move to mac mini/Audirvana myself moving away from a Unitiqute 2 streaming into my Hugo.  I was nervous about making the change until a friend brought around his mbp and we downloaded the trial version of audirvana - I bought my mac mini the next day.  The mbp sounded great but, to my ears, the mac mini sounds even better, especially once I had tweaked its settings based on excellent advice received from on here.  I'm not currently using a thunderbolt drive to store my music but am using the Assetnas nas I already had which appears to work just fine.

I wouldn't be using a laptop as a music server/streamer, its just not very practical and major overkill.

Put it this way you could get a macbook air and a macmini for the same as a macbookpro. Mini for a great music play solution, macbook air to control it and for your web surfing etc.

Whatever you do, don't check out the 5k iMac. There really is no going back.

I agree with gary.  If you want to stream from the MBP and also walk around the house watching baseball etc. then fine.  If it's just for playing music why not just buy a mini, or macbook air a few years old and save $$$$$    I cannot imagine a sonic difference

I use a Retina Screen MacBook Pro late 2013 model . Some comments...

I have 256GBytes of SSD storage, and it isn't really enough for me.. 128 GB will not much more 100 GBytes once you get the OSX upgrades.. 

For sound I leave the MacBook Pro alone... Its internal sound system is poor with any sort of connected audio. It's electrically very noisy. If you are running any sort of processor intensive app like DSP for any length of time the internal fan will kick in which is unusually loud.

However it's Retina screen is great.. And photo editing work and display work is a pleasure on it...

So for web/email apps and Graphics / photo apps, it's great and I enjoy using my MBP.

For audio, best leave it alone and go elsewhere.

Simon

I totally agree with Gary and Simon.  The Macbook Pro is a FINE laptop; I own one myself. The retina display is fabulous.

I would not use it as a music server; I would buy a Mac Mini for that.  

Again, many thanks all for your kind and informative replies; they have given me plenty of food for thought!

Inevitably I do need a new laptop, so the Macbook will come first (though I'm now swaying towards a cheaper Macbook Air)... I'm sure that the sound put out from there via USB can't be any worse than my current laptop. Once I've familiarised myself with that, I will get a Mac Mini as a dedicated music server which no doubt will improve things further.

Best regards.

That sounds a sensible approach. Remember you don't need a top spec Mac Mini, if you buy one. Of the current models the midrange MM would do, or a base 2012 model. 

Good luck.

Steve

Cheers, Steve.

Just a quick thanks for the advice chaps...

I went for a used 2013 MacBook Air in the end (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) with the intention of adding a MM later. For anyone who is interested, the switch from a Windows Laptop using Foobar 2000 to Macbook Air using Audirvana has been nothing short of a revelation. I didn't expect there to be much of a difference in terms of sound but it's elevated my set up to another level. I'm extremely pleased... the 2Qute/SN2/PMC.23 combo continues to enthral me.

Best regards.

Hi, glad it's worked out for you. As these things are mostly hardware related rather than OS, you might want to share what sort of machine/laptop you migrated from so others might be wary unless of course it is old obsoleted kit.

Simon

Thanks Simon. I had used a PC which I put together myself about 10 years ago (I can't remember the exact specs). I also used a Acer Aspire 5532 laptop (1.6Ghz, 4GB RAM, 250GB HD) which didn't sound much different from the home made PC. I've also tried another laptop in the past and it has sounded the same. I think that is why I was so suprised with the uplift in performance upon switching to the Mac. Seems to be a much lower noise floor which is helped by the near silent operation of the Mac in comparison to the noisy fans of the other computers I've used. Apart from that, it's an improvement in all other so called 'hi-fi' aspects of performance.

I had thought that it may be more to do with the player (i.e. Audirvana+ versus Foobar2000) but unfortunately this is not a comparison I have been able to make.

+1, I tried a couple before I made the jump from streaming, including on the PC, and AV was easily the best I tried.