I used to use a standard config MBA (13" 4GB RAM 128GB SSD) 2011 for normal notebook duties that did double duty for audio when I am on the road and it is passable. But I found my 2010 Mini which was dedicated for music (no extra apps) sounded better.
If you use a Mini, you can enable Screen Sharing after you have set up the system to allow you to remote control the Mini from an iPad or another Mac (or even a PC with a VNC application). So you wouldn't need a keyboard or monitor in your hifi rack.
If you want to use a MBAir for music, I'd recommend the following:
make sure you get the 2011 model or newer. The older model did not support Thunderbolt so your only interface is USB2.0. Ideally you want one interface for HDD (storing music) and another interface to the computer audio. With TB, you can use TB for an external hard disk or a TB-Firewire interface for external hard disk. Your USB is then dedicated for connection to the DAC.
Also try to load it up with as much RAM as you can fit (the RAM on the MBA is not upgradeable). 4GB is the bare minimum. 8GB is the max you can fit and there's never too much memory. My new Mini is fitted with 16GB :)
I found 128GB SSD is sufficient if I use it only as a dedicated music server.
If you use a Mini, you can enable Screen Sharing after you have set up the system to allow you to remote control the Mini from an iPad or another Mac (or even a PC with a VNC application). So you wouldn't need a keyboard or monitor in your hifi rack.
If you want to use a MBAir for music, I'd recommend the following:
make sure you get the 2011 model or newer. The older model did not support Thunderbolt so your only interface is USB2.0. Ideally you want one interface for HDD (storing music) and another interface to the computer audio. With TB, you can use TB for an external hard disk or a TB-Firewire interface for external hard disk. Your USB is then dedicated for connection to the DAC.
Also try to load it up with as much RAM as you can fit (the RAM on the MBA is not upgradeable). 4GB is the bare minimum. 8GB is the max you can fit and there's never too much memory. My new Mini is fitted with 16GB :)
I found 128GB SSD is sufficient if I use it only as a dedicated music server.