get a used sonic transporter, and older gen one will work fine as a roon core machine, then get an ethernet cleanser, like an etherregen or its ilk to make sure the network feed is clean, and then, finally, get a decent cost effective streamer/DAC like a bluesound node or eversolo and you’re off to the races in happy hifi music land
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
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I will echo gkelly's comment. I have two WiiM Pro Plus units, one in a bedroom system and the other recently replacing my new Mac Mini M4 Pro as a music source. There was a sound quality increase when I shifted from the Mac Mini to the WiiM Pro Plus, which was VERY easy to set up. While the Pro Plus has an internal DAC, I am using a Schiit external DAC, which I prefer. The WiiM products are a great low-cost entry into digital streaming, and as gkelly said, if you are willing to spend more money, there are plenty of options. I have a new Innuos Stream 1 with LPS1 and Phoenix USB module in my main system, and the sound quality is simply superb--as it should be at the cost. |
Just to clarify, I can be a bit slow at times :) I’m using the Mini HDMI out to the Oppo for its DACs, then feeding the Pre-pro. The WiiM is listed as Roon ready, which the Oppo is as well, so it is not a server, correct? a new Mac Mini (599) is the direct replacement and gets me back to what I had Sonic Transporter is a direct alternative to the Mac Mini, a server for Roon and with added storage will store my small library (1295 new with onboard storage) Do I have that right? I’m not opposed to the cost difference of the ST over the Mini M4, but I don’t want to get into the Innuos-level gear (yet) |
Don’t think that you are slow it’s just if you just get a dedicated streamer and if you wanna start out cheap get a WIIM player. That’s it there is nothing more you need. There is no need for roon Even though that is what you know. I think once you understand, which you only can once you have it in your hands experiencing the user experience seems to be a mystery until you have experienced it. So go on Amazon and get this puppy or one of its lesser brothers and then come back to the conversation and ask the questions you need to ask.https://www.amazon.com/WiiM-Streamer-Touchscreen-Compatible-Headphone/dp/B0D41YCLW8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=83416784050&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DYu9-dfKarsSQT2l_ABvNrXo2JNxZB2wIvy84y3XSqoKoQhJ2oC-A5920AH8kKM9Ellr4RhE1uch1wmQh5DnMRKwKxO-x_ODF-3yBbH5xjS9D9zF0fsX1tautLMjJxoU8rcsruu9ZOfFZjQBKTUUJEcrRMnYT2jTuCtsGx4n7aPGBT554tgbi-npAx_14pJFSZiM7P6v-FfLzHGCgql2Mg.rAuDyCz7OBWMryPpWKYjaU4MiG3Nhwz1yEsxIZtap0g&dib_tag=se&hvadid=776650889682&hvdev=m&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9033780&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=9864162695412953612--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9864162695412953612&hvtargid=kwd-2241064493880&hydadcr=20578_13636955&keywords=wiim+ultra&mcid=f5f92c02685332a185d2403f93e577fc&qid=1762181387&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1 Enjoy the sound! |
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