That Mac Mini makes a nice Roon Core (Server and Streamer). Add an external hard drive to store your music files (if the size of your local library exceeds the size of the hard drive in the Mini).
The noise mentioned about the Mini (as I hear it) is when the fan on the Mini kicks in. This only happens with Roon if you’re doing upsampling or converting files to DSD. It can also happen if the Mini gets warm due to dust accumulating in the vents. If you don’t do any up conversion - just keep the vents clean around the Mini and you’ll be good; it will be silent.
Now if you are upconverting and the fan on the Mini kicks in and it annoys you, then you’ll need to move it someplace where you can’t hear it and get an endpoint for your listening space. But I’m not sure if it makes sense to up convert MQA files - most sound pretty darn good to me after decode and render.
I would try the setup you have now (Mini into Brooklyn +) before spending any more money - it may be all you need. And, in my opinion, it's a sweet hookup.
Good luck,
Tom
PS: I’ve read a lot about how non-dedicated server/streamers are "noisy" because of all the other unrelated CPU processes being run. I’ve had no issues with my 2012 Mac mini running Yosemite. I sometimes stream video with it to the big TV (via HDMI output). I haven’t ever been able to hear that kind of noise (or fan noise) or experienced issues with the Mac Mini and streaming. Others may disagree and hear stuff - I don’t dispute that. Mine runs very well and I love how silent it is.
The noise mentioned about the Mini (as I hear it) is when the fan on the Mini kicks in. This only happens with Roon if you’re doing upsampling or converting files to DSD. It can also happen if the Mini gets warm due to dust accumulating in the vents. If you don’t do any up conversion - just keep the vents clean around the Mini and you’ll be good; it will be silent.
Now if you are upconverting and the fan on the Mini kicks in and it annoys you, then you’ll need to move it someplace where you can’t hear it and get an endpoint for your listening space. But I’m not sure if it makes sense to up convert MQA files - most sound pretty darn good to me after decode and render.
I would try the setup you have now (Mini into Brooklyn +) before spending any more money - it may be all you need. And, in my opinion, it's a sweet hookup.
Good luck,
Tom
PS: I’ve read a lot about how non-dedicated server/streamers are "noisy" because of all the other unrelated CPU processes being run. I’ve had no issues with my 2012 Mac mini running Yosemite. I sometimes stream video with it to the big TV (via HDMI output). I haven’t ever been able to hear that kind of noise (or fan noise) or experienced issues with the Mac Mini and streaming. Others may disagree and hear stuff - I don’t dispute that. Mine runs very well and I love how silent it is.