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Dedicated Music server vs Mac mini on a Devialet via Ethernet (AIR) connection

Roon and Tidal are working fine now via AIR (EtH) in a Devialet 200. My only digital source is a Mac mini 2012/16GB RAM/ SSD - AIR (eth) direct in. My speakers: Raidho X1.

My concern is that the Mac Mini is not optimized for audio so I wonder what upgrade path to take.

Either I tweak the MM with software and new LPS. But I wonder if that's worth it as I'm not using the USB input on the DEVialet. USB is known for its electric interference. But is not Ethernet a lot cleaner?? a proper Paul Hynes SR5 would cost about €700,-?

The other route is going for a standalone server like Innuos or Sonictransporter i5. (€700-€900) Would that offer a significant improvement on SQ over Ethernet?
If so, what switch is recommended? they also tend to perform better with a better PSU!?

Or just go for a cheap NUC? (€100-200)

Requirements: able to handle Roon core.

My goal is to improve SQ on a budget, but improvement should be significant as in better transparency/separation.
What upgrade path would you choose??
128x128roestano
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
how is shadorne's post different?

he lists the following criteria:
- good power supply
- separated and isolated the digital logic circuits from contaminating the DAC section
- timing/jitter & which clock is used
- contamination of the house AC power from SMPS supply

What would you add to that list?
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
@limniscate

Ethernet is great so is optical. Optical has perfect galvanic isolation and a jitter immune DAC will just reject the higher jitter on an optical feed. However it all depends on a good DAC. If the DAC works perfectly then it will sound the same if the bits arriving are the same - no matter if they come over optical, coax, USB or ethernet. (not saying all DACs sound the same but a good one ought to sound the same on any digital input if it receives the same bit perfect data)

It boils down to the DAC performance - and performance leaves a lot to be desired for many products out there...so no wonder folks report differences with all kinds of tweaks and different inputs, bridges etc.
limniscate
241 posts
 
@shadorne 

That's what Rob Watts (designer of the Chord Dave) and Chris Hansen (Ayre) say as well: their DACs are immune to upstream signal issues.  

That was not true when I tested the Chord DAVE and the Ayre QX-5 Twenty.  Both still sounded better with SOtM gear in front of them.
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I have not delved into the jitter rejection system on the Chord or Ayre.

Unfortunately most methodologies still allow low frequency jitter to affect performance even if all high frequency jitter is rejected and it performs well on the AES test that Stereophile perform. (Low frequency jitter can be quite audible)
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