Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - Printable Version +- Devialet Chat (https://devialetchat.com) +-- Forum: Devialet Chat (https://devialetchat.com/Forum-Devialet-Chat) +--- Forum: Streaming (https://devialetchat.com/Forum-Streaming) +--- Thread: Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server (/Thread-Using-Mac-Mini-as-streamer-plus-music-server) |
RE: Uisng Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - BrianT - 12-Nov-2018 (11-Nov-2018, 15:21)Confused Wrote: @BrianT - It looks like you are running your G2 to the Devialet via USB? I note the G2 has AES/EBU output, out of curiosity, have you thought of trying this in comparison to USB? You are correct, I am using the USB. No I have not tried AES/EBU out on the G2 as I donot own any AES/EBU Brian RE: Uisng Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - PeppaPig - 19-Nov-2018 (10-Nov-2018, 23:26)David A Wrote: Peppa, Hi @David, been really busy with live.. Um, actually I am not seeking a ROON end, i just want a streamer, if it has built in HDD would be better, so I don’t need to stream from NAS, and then I need it to be able to play Spotify, TIDAL, things like that. Mac Mini can do all these, but I just worry about its sound quality, its USB noise level. And this is why I ask people on this forum who has experience with Mac mini and audiophile grade streamer and tell me their experiences RE: Uisng Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - Stino - 19-Nov-2018 @PeppaPig I think it's clear by now that there are many things wrong with the Mac Mini. You are better of with something else. From a budget point of view, this can be very interesting: https://darko.audio/2018/11/a-short-film-about-the-allo-digione-signature/ Kr, Stijn RE: Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - PeppaPig - 20-Nov-2018 Hi @Stino Yes, apparently, I have gave up Mac mini as an option, thanks guys for the input, appreciated! The one you recommended, i think it doesn’t has it own mobile application to control it right? RE: Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - Stino - 21-Nov-2018 (20-Nov-2018, 00:05)PeppaPig Wrote: Hi @Stino Correct. RE: Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - roestano - 25-Dec-2018 Hope this subject is still alive. I'm also on the verge of upgrading away from my standard mac mini 16gb/ssd. Reason I waited is that AIR (eth) actually is working fine on my D200. And there are opinions that a high end streamer does not really add a whole lot to AIR sound quality. So my thoughts are it's better investing in a good server, also because most of them can serve as a streamer as well! Then again, the AIR protocol seems to tackle issues with server/storage gear, does not it? That would make expensive NAS/servers obsolete. Plus I think I use Tidal 70% of the time. Though, if it really differs in SQ i am willing to spend time downloading the content to my drives. The answer to that question will determine my upgrade path. Options I consider so far: Melco N1A, Bryston BDP-1/2, Innuos Zen(ith), Aurender N100H, Roon Nucleus. I'm leaning towards the BDP-1 as it's pretty cheap now. I use a synology ds718 (and several external harddrives) as storage. Anyone care to comment? RE: Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - Sailor4W - 25-Dec-2018 It's interesting to see that most seem to veer away from Mac Mini as a server and rather opt for a music server. I for myself, went the other route: I used an Aurender N100H for a long time, and just a few days ago I bought a new 6-core Mac Mini i7, with 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD internal storage and an external 2 TB SSD. I run Roon on it, the Mac Mini is in my office and feed my Devialet Expert 120 two floors down with a Cat 7a ethernet cable. The Mac Mini, of course, is controlled with my iPad Mini that connects to an Orbi Netgear. I haven't tried connecting the Mac Mini via USB to my Devialet, since I really want to have it tucked away from my living room. So far, I am very pleased with the outcome, I actually prefer the Mac Mini over the Aurender in SQ, as I feel the Roon/Mac Mini combination is a bit more resolving than the Aurender. The N100H is very good, plays music from an absolutely black background, but for me it always sounded a bit dark, lacking a bit the highs. And unfortunately, the Aurender's UI is a bit meagre, but absolutely reliable. Also, integration of both streaming services, Tidal and Qobuz, is a big plus for the Conductor app. This, however, might very well be included into Roon in the near future. All in all, I am very pleased with the Mac Mini as my music centre, but I won't let the 100H go. It's good to have an alternative should I encounter difficulties with my Mac Mini (which I don't assume, but one never knows). RE: Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - midi - 26-Dec-2018 (25-Dec-2018, 14:23)roestano Wrote: Hope this subject is still alive. I'm also on the verge of upgrading away from my standard mac mini 16gb/ssd. Reason I waited is that AIR (eth) actually is working fine on my D200. And there are opinions that a high end streamer does not really add a whole lot to AIR sound quality. After using a Mac Mini I have bought an INNUOS Zenith, which I am still using. For the moment (once again) with ROON (trial licence) as a Roon Core. Very comfortable and without problems (but DSD files are not really possible with the Zenith as a core). I have used the Zenith before as an UPnP server, also without problems, but there is no software for that with a real good UI (the best one is MConnect m.o.). The Zenith is connected via USB to the Devialet. I think there are less other devices on the market with this possibilities. RE: Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - roestano - 26-Dec-2018 (25-Dec-2018, 21:34)Sailor4W Wrote: It's interesting to see that most seem to veer away from Mac Mini as a server and rather opt for a music server. I for myself, went the other route: I used an Aurender N100H for a long time, and just a few days ago I bought a new 6-core Mac Mini i7, with 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD internal storage and an external 2 TB SSD. I run Roon on it, the Mac Mini is in my office and feed my Devialet Expert 120 two floors down with a Cat 7a ethernet cable. The Mac Mini, of course, is controlled with my iPad Mini that connects to an Orbi Netgear. I haven't tried connecting the Mac Mini via USB to my Devialet, since I really want to have it tucked away from my living room. Thanks for your response! the N100H is one of the serious contenders because of it's build quality, power supply, ease of use and looks. Love the VU meter analog look! : the main cons are usb only and no Roon. But the price even 2nd hand is steep. I have an option for €1750. I don't mind spending that kind of money if I'm sure that it will add quite a step up in SQ. To be honest, I'm almost convinced it won't. I am just listening to an MQA album (Tidal) "Evo sessions" by Chlara. The first song just snaps through my system D200 + Raidho X1. Comparing usb vs ethernet air it is clear that there is better channel separation in favor of ETH. In this song you can clearly hear that because of the acoustic guitars. The decay is also better. Admittedly I am using a cheap standard usb cable vs AQ vodka ethernet. But there are plenty times that it just does not sound great. I am guessing it's mainly because of the files / recording quality because some albums (like Patricia Barber's cafe blue) sound great. So still on the fence......:/ btw: is there a way to optimise the Synology DS 718 for SQ by installing Roon server? Or is it best to install all on the internal 500gb SSD of the mini? RE: Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server - roestano - 26-Dec-2018 @midi After using a Mac Mini I have bought an INNUOS Zenith, which I am still using. For the moment (once again) with ROON (trial licence) as a Roon Core. Very comfortable and without problems (but DSD files are not really possible with the Zenith as a core). I have used the Zenith before as an UPnP server, also without problems, but there is no software for that with a real good UI (the best one is MConnect m.o.). The Zenith is connected via USB to the Devialet. I think there are less other devices on the market with this possibilities. ------- How did it improve on sound? Is it possible to play direct via Ethernet (play) output? was your mac standard or tweaked? The Melco seems to sound a lot better via Ethernet than usb (review hifi-advice) albeit not on a devialet system. |