[mjg]

Looking for recomendations as to what to look for in a Mac Mini to be connected via USB to a DB Audio Tranquility SE DAC. I am currently using a modded Squeezebox Touch, but this method has issues and the Mac Mini is the recomended system to use. That being said, I have just spent a small boat load of money and I would like to try and pick up a used Mini. In looking for one, I am now totaly confused. There are so many different ones out there and I dont have a clue what to look for. I would appreciate it if you fine people could point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance, and Happy Holidays.

Maurice

[Crimson]

Hi,

I'd say get what you can afford, and don't worry too much about the size of the internal HD. Besides that, here are two threads asking similar questions:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=101017.0

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=96994.0

And here's a thread describing different Mini setups:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=51326.0

[mjg]

Thanks Crimson:

I do try and search for similar threads, but do not always find one. the second thread you gave me looks very helpfull and I will read it all tonight. If anyone has any thoughts I would still like to hear them.

Thanks, Maurice

[mjg]

Has anyone done a comparison of a Vortex Box Appliance vs. Mac Mini? This also looks like a quality product. I cant tell if it does USB out to a DAC though. Any input?

Thanks, Maurice

[morganc]

Thanks Crimson:

I do try and search for similar threads, but do not always find one. the second thread you gave me looks very helpfull and I will read it all tonight. If anyone has any thoughts I would still like to hear them.

Thanks, Maurice

Your best bet is to get a 2010 or later model Mac Mini.    I believe the end of year 2010 and then 2011 was judged to be the best.   You can upgrade the RAM and Hard drive easily yourself down the road for a few $$$.   I only spent around $600 for mine refurbished and it has worked flawlessly. 

[mjg]

morganc:

What exactly did you buy and where did you get it. Also, what is cosidered late 2010. there also seems to be discussions abot software. Any input as to what to get or not get?

Thanks, Maurice

[fado]

I am also wondering about Macmini models as well as requirements. 

According to Apple, the Macmini Server and the standard Macmini have exactly the same audio components.  Looking only at the specifications below – would there be any reason to prefer one model over the other for sound quality/dedicated music, especially internet sourced music, use?  The cost to replace the server software with the standard software I think makes the two units price equivalent.  The only difference I see is the 2.0 Quad-Core vs the 2.7 Dual-Core.  Would either   
processor be OK?

Mac mini Server - $1599.00
•   2.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
•   8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
•   256GB Solid State Drive

Mac mini - $1699.00
•   2.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7
•   8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
•   256GB Solid State Drive

[Crimson]

Either would be fine, although you can save (a lot of) money by buying after-market RAM. Also, if using as a music server only, a 128 GB SSD would be plenty.

[fado]

Thank You

I'm looking at Apple refurbished units and if they have an SSD it is usually 240GB.  I may be able to order a new one through a MAC Store with the 128 SSD for about the same cost.

[simon wagstaff]

I have a very old mac mini with a core solo processor and 4 gigs of ram that I stuck in myself. I have not had any issues with the processor not being up to snuff. I run in upsample mode reading from memory with no issues. I use Decibel with the toslink digital out to my DAC.

sound is very good, though i think that both the usb and toslnk are limited to 24/96, but I could be wrong there.

Much discussion but I think that the toslink digital out will have less jitter than the USB output unless you are using a newer DAC or usb connection that is designed to reduce this.