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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
grinnell
1,187 posts
 

We used a old macbook as a music server then went to a Wiim Ultra as it has the ability to connect a usb drive for music.  Love it, great software, easy to use.  we go out to a MHDT DAC.

i have a new mac mini i use for my photo work, damn they are fast.

 

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,926 posts
 

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? 
mid I use the WiiM, then I have streaming, but not a Roon server

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?

yes 

sns
4,218 posts
 

I'd actually recommend you keep the Mini if aftermarket support for minis dedicated for streaming was still there. I used a series of modified dedicated mini streamers over the years, definitely superior to mid tier and lower off the shelf streamers. I'd suggest the Wiim more lateral move than upgrade from the stock mini you have. 

english210 OP
180 posts
 

The mini got a malware bug, some kind of search engine hacker, and I have neither the time or knowledge to get rid of it. I tried a couple of apps in the App Store, and they won’t work on that old os. 
im gonna start with the WiiM, it’s cheap enough, and go from there. Likely I’ll be back :). It’s the nature of the hobby….

 

thanks for the help!!

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
1,036 posts
 

That sound fantastic another soldier recruited for the Streaming Wars! Welcome to the Darkside. 
please be aware that you are allowed to buy your commission in this army. You don’t have to start out as a private. I’m not saying you need to be a four star general, but the equipment you have is going to allow you to be at least a captain or major. So if you’re part of the group that likes to cry once buy once, then, may I make a suggestion to this offering. 
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbf522-innuos-pulse-mini-media-servers

 

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