I use a 2.66 (late 2009) mac mini server with 4GB RAM, OWC Mercury 120GB SSD. The music files are on 2 separate external 1.0TB 7200RPM hdd connected via 9to9 Firewire from Granite (macgurus.com).
I also use a Empirical Audio Offramp 3 between the mac mini and Centrance DAC.
The mac mini is optimized as a music server.
I'm very pleased with the sound and convenience of using the mac mini with the iPad remote app; quite an amazingly simple way to select music. In fact, I have several friends who like to come over and make their own playlist, selecting music that fits their mood or the festivities of the evening.
I've ripped all my music as AIFF using XLD then upsampling to 24/96 using Triumph (formerly WAVE).
I also use a Empirical Audio Offramp 3 between the mac mini and Centrance DAC.
The mac mini is optimized as a music server.
I'm very pleased with the sound and convenience of using the mac mini with the iPad remote app; quite an amazingly simple way to select music. In fact, I have several friends who like to come over and make their own playlist, selecting music that fits their mood or the festivities of the evening.
I've ripped all my music as AIFF using XLD then upsampling to 24/96 using Triumph (formerly WAVE).