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Streamer vs. new mac mini for 2 channel system

Hi audio friends,

I LOVE the functionality of my mac mini with my 2 channel system: Exasound 62e DAC, Modwright ls100 pre, Coda continuum 8 power amp and Wilson Sabrina speakers.  Being able to navigate with mouse and keyboard from my listening position is infinitely better than using a tablet or some mickey mouse app with my phone.  

The issue is the mac mini.  Clearly this is not the best transport, however I want to use my 2 channel system for more than just streaming roon.  I listen to soundcloud a lot to learn about new music and when I watch tv I want to utilize the stereo for netflix, crave etc.  My Dac has only 1 usb in and obviously an optical + s/pdif, but the fidelity is just not as good with the other inputs.  

I almost pulled the trigger on a Lumin U1 mini, but again I do not see how this transport will improve fidelity, without limiting overall functionality.  How do I bring a new mac mini to a place where it can compete with a dedicated transport like the lumin, or is this even a reasonable suggestion?  

Looking to optimize the system in the most efficient way.
Confused - any suggestions would be much appreciated.

cshadow
59 responses Add your response
cshadow OP
21 posts
 
@steakster’s suggestion sounds like exactly what I'm looking for...

Need to learn more and thank you!
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yyzsantabarbara
4,880 posts
 
I tried to make my MacMini work with ROON Core (could not install properly) then regular ROON server and client which did install. The crap MAC OS was crashing regularly. I was not sure if it was ROON taking it down or just the OS itself. I removed the MacMini from audio server duties and put my ROON Core onto a DELL mini computer. The DELL is a bit nosier than the MacMini. So I keep the DELL in the closet of another room. I have Ethernet wired streaming using Sonore Rendu products.

I do not recommend MACs for anything other than consumer grade computing tasks.

Fidelity is improved greatly by removing the computer from the DAC. Both my MacMini and DELL never touch the DAC(s) directly. The streamers from Sonore convert from Ethernet-to-USB. Now if you want the best option use fibre optical streaming. It is not too difficult and cheaper than the costly audio optimized music servers. 

BTW - I can use a tablet, phone, and computer for my streaming. I normally use the computer. I use ROON but you could leverage something like Remote Desktop (RDP) to use cheaper software options.
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calvinandhobbes
307 posts
 
@tvad One solution that I found to optimize sound quality was to turn off the WiFi in my streamer and to use an Ethernet cable connected to a WiFi extender that provides an Ethernet access point. That provides the benefit of not having miles of Ethernet cable in my house, cuts out EMI/RFI running through the Ethernet cable, as well as reducing a source of RFI in my streamer.

The audible improvement over connecting my Pro-ject streamer via WiFi was immediately noticeable and not at all subtle.
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jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
990 posts
 
+2 on buying a used dedicated streamer and compare to Mini.  I had roon core running on a mini and just got tired of all the upgrades and garbage affecting my rig.  Bought an SGC ST to run the Roon core and put  it in my cabinet and barely have to touch it.  I think its gone through one upgrade.  Mini was doing updates monthly.


calvinandhobbes
307 posts
 
The key benefit of a streamer on SQ is reduced EMI and RFI. In my experience it takes a good amount of workarounds such as USB noise reducers to clean up the quality of output from a computer. Apparently Macs do have less EMI and RFI than do most PCs though.

My suggestion. If you have the Mac already. Bring your digital setup to a dealer and compare to the streamer that he/she is selling. If you hear a difference, consider buying the streamer.

Or, buy a streamer used so you can try it and resell it if you see no benefit over a Mac. FWIW, the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra has been working well for me for both SQ & connecting to a variety of sources.
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