Using Mac Mini as streamer plus music server

[PeppaPig]

Hi guys,

I want to get feedback from who had experience using Mac Mini connected to Devialet via USB connection and can you please talk about your experience? especially sound quality wise, it would be good if you also have experience with some other streamer and tell me your comparison.

One thing I like about Mac mini is it can connect to TV via HDMI, and USB to Devialet, which means I can watch many HD Music Video/shows on Youtube, and sometimes I found it is better to have both ear and eyes enjoyed at the same time.

But I worry about the sound quality, especially the USB output power may not be clean enough and might drop sound quality, I am not sure if the EXPERT PRO have done any USB power isolation or not.

I also worry about the Fan in the mac mini brings extra vibration that can effects sound as well.

Can anyway share your experience with mac mini? especially if you had compared it with other audiophile grade streamer/music server.

Appreciated!

Had a slightly upgraded Mac Mini with paired RAM, internal SSD and Nordost power chord but this was easily beat by the first series of the Auralic Aries streamer.  The best advantage a Mini offers is the ability to use Audirvana, IMHO, the best sounding and intuitive software player extant.

Thanks. I should take a lot of Audirvana, never heard it. Does it integrated with Spotify and TIDAL?

Have you compared the Aries and your mac mini, and you found Aries much better? I think the USB output of mac mini might be a worry.