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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
oberoniaomnia
357 posts
 

I would get another Mac mini, transfer files with set-up utility. Done. Did that recently, no regrets. As pointed out elsewhere, streamers typically include a DAC, so you are in a forced marriage of file management and file processing. Separate Harddrive/computer and separate DAC give you more flexibility. Also, as you have a lifetime Roon (like I do), you do not pay for management software all over again. my 2c. 

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,465 posts
 

 While lots of integrated streamer/DACs exist, in the high end it is more common that streamers and DACs are separate 

english210 OP
180 posts
 

Received the WiiM, the ‘Plus’, and got it running. Sounds good, but keeps dropping out…music is playing then silence, then playing, like someone’s playing with a mute button. I’m using the optical hook up it came with.

Needless to say, I am already looking at where to go from here…..

gbryant's avatar
gbryant
91 posts
 

I installed Mint (linux) on my 2014 mini... but can't get Roon to install crying

pure_dave
7 posts
 

I wanted to chime in with my experience getting a MacBook Air M5 to replace my Mac Mini M1. I connect the Mac to a Simaudio 390 DAC via Audioquest Vodka HDMI and the sonic upgrade with the M5 is substantial, even when having to use a dock for the HDMI out. The MB Air has no fans. This is a home theater + music system. I haven’t used dedicated streamers so I can’t compare. There has to be serious audiophiles working on the Macs. 
 

I just checked the Air’s power draw with my Kill A Watt and it was a measly 12 watts!
 

Dave

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