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Setting up a Mac mini as a music server, and other digital music questions

Hi All,

I'm sure this topic has been covered a bazillion times before, but thought I'd ask the Audiogon community as I don't see much up-to-date info on the web. I just purchased a DAC (Ares II) and my old Macbook Air that has been serving as my music server won't run the latest Mac OS, so probably time for a replacement. I'd like to set up a computer to store my music files on SSD, and probably handle some high-res streaming down the line. I'm currently subscribed to Apple Music, and seems hard to get out of the Apple ecosystem.

What does everyone recommend to get the best sound? Mac Mini + some kind of music software/service into the DAC?

Thanks for your help!
Josh
128x128joshindc
hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel
342 posts
 
I have used a Mac-mini for a long time as my music server. And is old enough (HighSierra) it will not support the newer IOS. 
I run the music through a toslink connection to a Cary Xciter DAC.
Audirvana software to my ears is the bomb.
I see no reason to change.

hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel
342 posts
 
I did upgrade the mini to a SSD hard drive. Took like ten minutes.
antigrunge2
1,397 posts
 
Seriously listen to a Lumin, Innuos, Aurender, Auralic server and you‘ll never go back to the Macmini
nickolaspappas
38 posts
 
A Mac mini is $699 and most of those servers are several thousands of dollars. A raspberry pi or volumio is probably a better comparison/alternative. 
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