2. digital
  3. 178180-20132

Should I upgrade from a Mac Mini to a dedicated server or should I upgrade my dac?

Hello!
I would like to upgrade my digital audio and I have had some interesting discussions on the matter.  I mostly use Roon with Qobuz and Tidal via Mac Mini to a Moon 280D with Mind2 as a Roon endpoint (so I am using Ethernet rather than USB which was one of my 1st upgrade paths); I have been told that to get a significant improvement in sound I should upgrade from the Mac Mini to a Roon Nucleus or Small Green Computer etc before upgrading the dac.  The dac would be the following step.  
I think this is an interesting thought that I had not considered- I always assumed the most critical component would be a better a dac,   I am curious about your opinions on this.

System
Source (analog): VPI Aries 1,  Lyra. Etna, PS Audio Stellar phono; Amplification: Vinnie Rossi LIO Preamp, Pass Labs XA60.5; Speakers:AvantGarde Duo's, Thiel 3.7; Cables: Nordost Heimdall II.


 

pgastone

Showing 1 response by mofojo

mofojo
2,312 posts
 

IME a lowly Bluesound will be an improvement on the Mini. 
 

My CD player sounds much better than both into same Dac. I have not yet gone down the rabbit hole of all the different things you can apparently do to clean up all the internet crap. Maybe it’s worth it, I just don’t have the time or patience. Cds for me keep it simple. 

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