@bigwave1 See you're using modded mac mini. Have you bridged firewire port as second ethernet port? This port will connect direct to Meitner. Will be superior to using the single ethernet port with switch. Also, which power supply using with mini, this makes large difference as well, I use Uptone JS2 with my mini. Also what have you done to optimize operating system? Get third party app wipe conversion, disable as many processes as possible. Disable system integrity protection, major upgrade, Get fastest processor, I7 better than I5, run PCIe ssd vs sata.
Get rid of any usb or conversion or rendering prior to Meitner, don't complicate things here. Mini direct out to Meitner, Power cords important, power conditioning as well. Weak links are weak links, with streaming so many possible weak links!
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As for switch vs. router. I added audiophile switch at one point to compare with my router/lps setup, not good, much preferred modded mini direct out to streamer. So, I'd forget about switch at this point, get lps for router, in my case over spec lps, means lps can deliver more amps than router requires. Down the road you can experiment with cleaning up ethernet feed to mini, either optical conversion or various filters. I'm presently experimenting with optical conversion via two FMC, both powered by lps, not totally convinced, but superior to audiophile switch in same position. Next experiment will be Network Acoustics Muon ethernet filter.
I'd stick with mini for now if doing or have done all mods listed above. By early fall I will be comparing my maxed out mini to custom atx motherboard build server based on Taiko Extreme standards, will tell me extent non-rendering server has on ultimate sound quality.
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Directions for bridging firewire port, https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/30376-a-novel-way-to-massively-improve-the-sq-of-computer-audio-streaming/
I previously owned mini with Core Audio internal and external power supplies, diy install. I believe Core likely did operating system optimization if purchased as package direct from them. I bet you're running seriously out of date operating system with your mini. Pretty easy to update OS with Macs, although you may lose OS optimizations with update, I do know 2013 mini can run latest OS, Monterey. I run Synology NAS, no issues running with latest Mac OS.
The issues you're having with MM point to the problem with diy server, steep learning curve if not computer savvy. Audiophilestyle forum has people that can provide help. I expect you're at end of life with present MM without the OS update, everything can be resolved with OS upgrade. I'd go with OS upgrade if I were in your shoes, mini's pretty nice with full upgrades and modifications, with your Core Audio, already half way there.
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Forget about the recommendation of I9 and OR, forgot you have streaming dac!
Anyway, still try to get MM up and running. Another option if I were in your shoes is Antipodes K series, not the K50 as you don't need rendering capabilities. One of the other Antipodes K series is server only, can't recall the model. I believe it has two ethernet ports, perfect for going straight out to your Meitner. Or you could compare to use with audiophile switch, Antipodes or MM with bridged port> Meitner, or Antipodes/MM>switch>Meitner. The interesting thing with the two port ethernet server is ability to connect direct vs switch. Direct is most straight wire path, least chance for added noise and complexity vs switch, added complexity, possibility of less noise as audiophile switch should be less than router noise. And I believe Antipodes network port more optimized than MM firewire port, really makes comparison interesting. Now, if you absolutely require a switch in your setup, makes this all moot. I that case, any number of servers will do, with no rendering required with your server, and no two network ports are of great benefit since you're already running router AND switch. The direct connection is really only of consequence if NOT running switch like I am. I only bring this up at all because adding an audiophile switch was detrimental to sound quality in my server direct to streamer with router powered by lps.
If you do go route of replacement for MM, most any server will do, unless running dsp, something like HQPLayer which requires high processing power. Otherwise running server on LPS most critical issue.
Above posts in regard to running straight out of router may be great as well, they understand Meitner capabilities. Looks like user interface is greatest liability.
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@bigwave1 I'd go for upgrade of operating system to start with. Mac OS upgrades not that difficult, go to an Apple forum to learn how. Now, the one issue is since your present OS optimized in some form, may not seamlessly or even be able to do OS upgrade, in which case you bricked your MM. At this point you'd need to install new ssd with latest Mac OS installed, also doable. I could directly guide you on this via private email, can't provide any direct service to you as breaks Audiogon rules as far as selling services or products. So, best and safest path for you, assuming you brick present ssd doing OS upgrade is install of fresh OS on another ssd. This requires physically removing old ssd and installation of new ssd (ssd is your hard drive). PCIe is simply another form of ssd, not sure 2013 MM capable of using, not something to worry about at this point in any case.
So, personally, I'd keep MM and perform the OS upgrade, assuming you can diy or find someone who provides service. Ask at audiophilestyle forum as that is goto forum for streaming, dedicated to computer audio. You could also speak to Mojo Audio or Alex at Uptone audio, both have experience with MM upgrades, may be able to help you or put you in touch with someone who could.
If this all seems too daunting, you could get another server, NUC would be lateral move IMO, so would most others at sub $5k. I'd consider Sonictransporter I9 an upgrade, very nice processor and optical out built in, also has built in hard drives for storage if present Synology is too much hassle. You can simply transfer your present HD's in synology to I9. Get OpticalRendu as streamer and you have first class setup, Keep in mind this designed to be used with Roon. You could run Audirvana, but would require some diy work. This all runs $5k.
So, if prepared to spend some money, get I9 or some other server, or save yourself the money, keep MM and prepare for some diy work. While it may be possible to simply pack up MM for hotrodding, not sure I'd count on it. Best bet is the diy attempt at new OS install on present ssd. Other easy route would be to get someone to sell you new ssd with present mac OS already loaded, requires the physical removal and install of ssd, special tools required as well. Go to ifixit.com for videos and pictures that will illustrate whats required.
Wish I could help you directly, I could get that mini up and running in little time.
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I'm not saying mac mini is at top of servers list, but OP already has one, only needs OS update to get it back to operable state.
Also, I suspect many have underestimated optimized and modded mini as server only. Certainly as a renderer it is sadly out of date, but as server only and modded to optimal state it is quite good. Compared to many other servers, $5k and below, I don't see liabilities, with the right hardware mini is actually superior to this crowd, biggest liability is Mac OS, even with app wipe, still more processes running than needed, even with this I'm only running at 3-5% processor ability, nearly 50% of that used for Roon. While I can't state a comp with other servers in present system, I am getting amazing sound quality from my present streaming setup. I do plan on comparing to extreme high end server soon, this atx motherboard server built to Taiko Extreme level of quality, best of best everything going into this diy build, including choke based power supply.
Based on you guys, I'd stick with Meitner as streamer, so only question is server vs straight out of router. I'd get lps for router in either case.
As for switches, I have extremely unique streaming setup. Modem and router both set up close to my system, Modem>lps router(via AQ Vodka)>mini(via Vodka)>FMC(via Vodka, soon to be OpticalModule instead of generic FMC)>OpticalRendu>dac(via AQ Diamond usb). The switch I tried was RenoLabs Ultimate, OXCO clock and lps built in, this went between router and mini, diminished sound quality, less spaciousness, excessively etched images, smaller sound stage. I surmise this due to mis-matched clocks or excessive clocking. Ed Meitner states clocks should only be installed at closest point to circuit their clocking, this may be evidence of that. I also recently tried FMC (both powered by lps) and all ethernet AQ Vodka in same position as switch, while better than switch, still no cigar, again less spacious vs router only, pretty equivalent on sound stage, imaging front. Next try will be Network Acoustics Muon filter in same position. In my setup, router direct to server best, on paper this should not be case, router vs switch or FMC noisier.
Also points to possibility Meitner MA3 may perform best direct connection to router, especially if powered by lps. I think OP should try this configuration first, then compare to other setups.
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Sorry about the dog, I have cats, when pets suffering not good.
Hopefully streaming stays up and running with that Mac OS. I'd still try the router direct to MA3 and see how the two compare.
Ghasley correct, forget usb, NAS on network, you have good streamer, no need for usb anywhere.
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The lps on router was relatively large change IME. I don't understand why you're using usb when you have Synology NAS. NAS is network only connection, likely superior to any usb storage. I use AQ Vodka ethernet cable with my Synology NAS, better than any usb storage I've tried. Don't know why Meitner auto switches to network vs usb, other MA3 owners will have to chime in here.
When you do comparison, direct vs. mini, report back, I for one would be interested. You could also try something like Network Acoustics Eno, Muon or Uptone Etherregen between mini (or router whether you go with direct route to Meitner or keep in mini server chain-in this case between router and mini) and Meitner. Mini or any server is generator of noise in streaming chain, lowering noise floor prior to streamers will result in greater resolution, likely more natural sound.
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@gladmo I have BPT 3.5 Signature modified with Oyaide R1 and PorterPort AC receptacles, Jantzen Z Superior 1200V caps. This is balanced transformer based pc, my preference is for transformer pc's after auditioning many others over the years. With linear power supplies everything can be plugged into same pc, no back feed contamination with lps as there is with switching power supplies. Power cables used on each individual item important as well, includes all lps.
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@gladmo I have Netgear Nighthawk R7000 router, using TeraDak 12v 4amp lps. More than enough amps, been running for at least couple years 24/7, runs just warm to touch.
On modem front, experimented with various setups. I'm lucky in that my cable entrance is in my dedicated audio room. I have 26' long room, modem originally at far end of room, opposite of audio system. So I tried various generics, can't recall all the iterations, 5,6,7 I think. Then I went to AQ Cinnamon, thought I heard a bit of improvement in sound quality. After that, wanted further upgrade, getting pretty expensive with 26' of AQ Vodka which I was using on rest of streaming setup. So then I moved modem to other end of room, extending coax the 26', AQ Vodka modem to router, pretty major upgrade with this.
Prior to this router followed exact same path, from opposite side of room to same. This was also pretty substantial upgrade.
So, bottom line for me, both modem and router close to audio system, long coax superior to long ethernet, and better ethernet cable worthwhile.
TeraDac lps are fine for many streaming components, I must have ten of them altogether, over many years not a single issue. Use best lps on servers, streamers, the best make difference on these components. Power cords and power conditioners also important for every component,lps.
Ghasley correct, everything matters, and so many variations in streaming setups. Experimentation is key, be open to it!
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