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Time to upgrade Mac mini 2014

As the title suggests, I’ve been out of the game a while. I’ve had great success overall using my old Mac mini 2014 through Oppo 205 into Emotiva XMC-2, but it’s time to upgrade the Mac mini. My only requirements are not to downgrade sound quality and KISS. I was an earlier adopter of Roon under the lifetime subscription, and 99% of my music not on the Roon is streamed through Tidal. As the years advance, I’m not chasing SQ upgrades, I’m just looking to update the Mac Mini with as close to plug-n-play as I can without loosing anything. I’ve been out of this space so long I don’t really know what options there are, and I speak ‘car’ not ‘computer’. 
TIA

Aerial 7T

Pass 250.8

Emotiva XMC-2

Oppo UDP205

english210
gkelly's avatar
gkelly
1,036 posts
 

Removing the Mac from your system is the first thing you want to do. There are much more technological advancements in the streaming department then when you started in 2014. Getting a dedicated streamer, not only improves sound quality, but greatly simplifies the user experience. If you are looking for just something to replace the Mac then something from the WIIM family is the cheapest way to plug in play. https://www.wiimhome.com/
if after a while, you realize you need and or want some better sound quality then you can step up to a company such as InnuOs can be a option to look 👀 at. https://innuos.com/.  
 

english210 OP
180 posts
 

Great response, thanks! Yes, I’m just looking to replace the mini - unhook it, and hook something in its place. Something that runs Roon ( so I guess it needs onboard storage?), and I’m happy ( for the foreseeable) using the DACs in the Oppo.

nmolnar
51 posts
 

Check out Small Green Computer’s sonicTransporter i5 (Gen 3) music server. I’ve been successfully using their products for years. It is a plug & play replacement music server which comes with Roon installed and supports other streaming services including Tidal. For the price of a nice Mac Mini, you have a higher quality dedicated music server which sounds great, is reasonably priced and is a plug and play solution. The owner, Andrew Gillis is a great resource and would be glad to speak with you regarding any questions. See this at:

sonicTransporter i5 (Gen 3) – Small Green Computer

sns
4,218 posts
 

I'll second the sonicTransporter, I've used a number of their products, simple insertion. Unless you have cd rips don't need onboard storage,both Qobuz and Tidal libraries will be integrated into the Roon player on sonic transporter.

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