Best Mac Mini For Server
The Mac Mini is a good start for a music server, I took your advice back then and adopted an old Dell with a faster SDD, more RAM running Foobar, then to JRiver that does a decent job. Reason being, everyone is talking about noise from power supplies, hard drives, and USB cables. Availability: One of the best sources of Mac server hardware is an old Mac you already own. My first two Mac servers were both hand-me-down Power Macs. Putting better-equipped systems to shame, the new Mac mini (2018) is a no-brainer for any Mac mini user looking to upgrade, and a smart choice for anyone else. The Azulle Access Plus is the best.
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at Q I’ve been bouncing around the idea of upgrading my current gear and going digital because my wife and I want the convenience of being able to cue up any piece of music using our iPhones. My current music system consists of a Bryston 4B amp and Adcom GFP-555 preamp—old school analog stuff, but sounds great when I play CDs. My plan is to purchase a new receiver with HDMI inputs and attach a Mac Mini computer to use as a music server.
It’s my thought that I can get a Mac Mini and new HDMI-equipped receiver for under $2,000 and the sound will be comparable to dedicated media servers priced at $2,000 or higher. Am I on the right track? —James Seeds A I do think you’re on the right track in buying a Mac Mini computer ($499 and up) to use as a dedicated iTunes music server. But I don’t think you need to spend money on a new receiver, which works out anyway since you like the sound of your old gear. Let me explain.
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While the Mac Mini has an HDMI output that you can use to send audio to an HDMI-equipped receiver, you’ll be better off using a USB DAC for music listening. A USB DAC is a standalone device that connects to one of the Mac Mini’s USB outputs, converts the digital audio signal to analog, and then routes it to a preamp or receiver via an analog stereo output. What makes USB a superior option to HDMI in this case is that many USB DACs provide an Asynchronous transfer mode that’s effective in reducing digital jitter.
Best Mac Mini For Media Server
(Check out for more info.) Good USB DACs that you can hook up to your Mac Mini. The combined price, then, for your new music server setup would be in the $650 range—well below what you had originally budgeted for a Mac Mini plus a new HDMI-equipped receiver.
Setting up the system shouldn’t be difficult, but there are some audiophile best practices you should pay attention to, especially if you want to play high-res audio. Check out this written by Paul McGowan of PS Audio for detailed instructions on configuring a Mac Mini as a music server. Thank you very much Al for your advice, as a matter of fact I purchased the Mini with the 2.6 GHz processor and connected the HDMI output directly to the television for picture and have been shopping around for a DAC either the Emotiva XDA-2 or the Cambridge Audio Azur DacMagic D/A converter as reviewed by sister publication Stereophile.com. I just couldn't find an integrated amp with the inputs required or a HT receiver that sounded as good as my current 2-channel setup at the price range considered. The best part is that I get to continue to incorporate my old gear and under budget, thanks again AL G.
Best portable hard drive for mac 2010. You're right - retail media servers are way overpriced. However, are you looking to stand up a true media server that can distribute media files to various devices on your network, or just have a box with media files directly connected to your HiFi equipment? I’ll start with the former If you don't want to limit yourself to Apple-only devices and their proprietary 'ecosystem', you can build your own inexpensive, open-sourced solution with way more features and connectivity. (This was a very rewarding DIY project that has my circle of friends green with envy! ESPECIALLY the Apple fanboys!) 1.
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