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Streamer Options Needed

This question is a spinoff from this previous post: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/upgrade-from-martin-logan-sequel-ii-s-to

Since I decided to double my speaker budget, I will have to wait later in the year or perhaps 2026 for that purchase.

With that said, based on the comments from the previous post I am now looking at a streamer.

As stated before, I’m using a 2018 MacMini to stream Qobuz and passing it to the McIntosh C49’s built In DAC (for now at least). Streamer options to consider are: I do not, nor will I have digital music files stored anywhere so I do not need that option. I do not own or want to use a Tablet.  I am a Boomer so I would like to steer away of phone apps.

Ideally I would love the MacMini to control the Qobuz connected streamer that is connected to the C49 DAC.

Just for starters I played with a WiiM Ultra using the Mac OS Beta App. Not too bad, the Mac App controls the WiiM’s music library functions and most settings but not Qobuz. The phone app pretty much uses Qobuz and directs the stream to the WiiM then to the C49 DAC.

I would like to keep the cost under 3K.

Also, If they’re any suggestions on how to make the MacMini sound a bit better I will take those as well. Currently using BitPerfect. Are they any other programs that work similar to BitPerfect they bypass the Computers Audio Engine.

Sorry for the long winded post. So much knowledge to gain.

Suggestions please!!!!

chippieboy

Showing 4 responses by sns

sns
4,148 posts
 

One relatively cheap alternative is the Teradak linear power supply for mac mini. You've already done good thing with the OS mod, lps for mini is the other major improvement for sound quality with the mini. A mini with modded OS and lps is something relatively few have experienced, I'd take it over the cheaper over the counter alternatives. 

sns
4,148 posts
 

Mini just a glorified computer even with every possible operating system mod, adding a quality lps absolutely necessary to make it into a passable streamer.

sns
4,148 posts
 

Vlad,

I'm afraid I was a bit too dismissive of modded mini as just a 'passable' streamer in my last post. I experimented with a series of three different mini's over a few years, everything from stock to maximal mods. I had three different Intel, each successively more powerful than previous, I quit minis when the M processors came out and soldered in RAM, seems I may have missed out here. I also found Audirvana best music app for the mini's.

 

I've been offering up modded mini's as a legitimate contender or perhaps superior choice to lower to mid grade off the shelf streamers for years, very few have experienced a modded mini for themselves so really have no idea. I got the idea for modding mini's vs off the shelf via comparison of tech and parts used in the lower end ots streamers. I think people have the mistaken idea off the shelf streamers are somehow magically transformed from their fundamental computer roots when in fact they're all computers modified and optimized to play music apps. Through mini mods like OS optimization, far more RAM, faster processor, better lps than you'd find in most of these low to mid grade off the shelf modded mini's can be very nice at least mid level streamer. 

sns
4,148 posts
 

I do recall not all the usb ports same sound quality, one with shortest path was Irecommended. And I could see this as an advantage with M2 if usb is indeed connected directly to cpu, interfaces are extremely important in obtaining best SQ. 

 

Whatever the case with mini sound quality, devoid virtually any contemporary support for mods from the aftermarket, and Apple's continual move towards making diy nearly impossible mini's are virtually obsolete as viable alternative to off the shelf.

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