... and also would be happy to purchase used, as I may be a simple use case with less of a digital library and an emphasis on streaming with Roon... ?
for instance, on eBay a used Aurender....
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=aurender&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313
too many choices!
Maximize Mini with Roon to match my system -- or new component?
Hello Fantastic Audiogon Community!
I seek some advice regarding how to plan the next few upgrades to what I am beginning to understand has been a neglected and critical component to my system. The Mac mini.
Details of my system, which has undergone a complete upgrade in the past year both digitally and analogue:
(And thank you in advance to this incredible insightful and passionate community! I have combed through the forums for specifics on these questions already and am both impressed and still seeking advice….)
- SPEAKERS: Pure Audio Project Duet 15 Horn (Mundorf Silver Gold Oil Cap upgrade and high pass filter, Duelund 16 internal wiring and speaker cables to amp)
- AMP: PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated (Gold Lion KT77 power tubes, Briar and Mullard NOS gain tubes)
- DAC: HoloAudio Spring 2 Level 3 Kitsune edition
- PHONO: Music Hall MMF-9 and McIntosh MP 100 Preamp (but I’m focusing on the digital for this thread)
- INTERCONNECTS: Duelund 16 (Perfection interconnect)
- MAC MINI: M2 Chip, 8GB Ram, 245GB External HD through USB C, Generic USB Cable to the DAC. Roon Core.
I for now am mostly wanting to maximize the Mac mini so that it is as perfect as possible running Roon with Qubuz.
However I am also curious what you all believe is the “appropriate” upgrade to my digital stream, to match the rest of my components.
I am a minimalist with hardware (?!) and would like the future splurge on this to be on something that lasts, doesn’t have a screen, and doesn’t require any maintenance… just runs for a decade. I am loving Roon. Most of my old digital library is burned from CD, so I tend to listen to streamed files as they are the same or higher quality (?). I am happy with the HoloAudio DAC.
QUESTIONS:
- How do I maximize my current system with affordable (sub 1K) adjustments and upgrades to the software and hardware?
- The Mac Mini unit is headless, and I typically have the Roon app open on this Mac mini and control it from my iPad. Is the “Roon Core” a background app, and should I quit the “Roon” app?)
- Upgrade USB Cable?
- Power Supplies?
- If I were to get rid of the mini, what would be a new digital component that runs Roon well and matches the rest of my system?
THANK YOU ALL!
BRILLIANT PASSIONATE LOVERS OF MUSIC HALLUCINATION MACHINES!
R.
P.S.: I have been following this thread regarding Streamers, similar OP setup, but was wanting to focus on the Mac mini for now... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/options-to-improve-digital-sound?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid
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- 27 posts total
I’d recommend Innuos or Aurender. Some of their models also allow you to rip CDs and/or store your music onboard so you can have all your music in one place. Here’s a few used at various price points… https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbe282-innuos-pulsar-network-streamer-transports https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650230502-innuos-pulso/ https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650228329-innuos-zen-mk3-2tb/ |
Good choice to move away from mini, the mini isn't much better than any other general purpose computer in stock form, I know directly from experience with three of them.
Running Roon dictates your choice of streamer to some extent. I'll state Innuos and Aurrender not best choice for Roon, they're both optimized for their proprietary music player apps. At one point in my research on upgrading streamers from my last highly modded mini I settled on Antipodes as a great off the shelf streamer for running Roon, powerful processors and great power supplies, Antipodes owners could give you advice for used models to look out for. If you want new in your price range, I l like the SonicTransporters, again we have powerful processors, add quality outboard lps and you have nice setup for Roon.
You have very limited choices for streamers with I2S output, and I'd question the quality of that I2S. In my view its only worth going I2S if the I2S clock and power supply to that clock in streamer/ddc is superior to dac's master clock. The I2S cable in itself is of little or no benefit, virtually all the benefit is found with the potential of running an external clock with superior clock and power supply to that found in dac, this being the master clock. No other input allows bypassing dac master clock. |
- 27 posts total