Replacing a MAC Mini with new one...

Please forgive me for butting in. When software such as Pure Music or Audionervana loads the music from the hard drive into RAM, doesn't it make sense to get as much RAM as possible and worry less about the type of storage or connection to the computer from the hard drive? The music will stream from RAM to DAC. This is what I do from USB RAID drives to 2009 MacMini to DAC. Am I missing something?

You might consider a newer mac mini with the fusion drive option as a less expensive alternative to a large SSD or SSD + conventional hard drive. The OS sees the fusion drive as a single drive but it combines a large-capacity conventional drive with an SSD section that serves as a high-speed buffer. In my experience the SSD section keeps audio streams moving w/o interruption and to accelerate downloads of high-res files. This has worked well in my audio-only system.

My mac mini connects by ethernet to a remote Classé CP-800 pre with built-in asynchronous DAC, an external drive for backups, and an ONT (similar to a cable modem) for fast downloads via a gigabit optical fiber internet service. I run JRiver Media Center on the mini, with the JRiver remote app on an iPad in the listening room.

Tgrisham, music doesn't "stream to DAC" in his asynchronous USB, but is downloaded as data in packets.  It doesn't make any difference if it comes from small or large buffer memory.  I might make a difference with synchronous USB or SPdif.

Thanks to all for their advice! Once I decide on an approach I will get back to you.

Hi Mesch, hope I am not too late in responding.

Just my take on the Mac Mini as a music server since my last 3 servers were based on Mac Mini. My first was based on the 2009 Mini that the power supply built into the power cord. Then subsequent version that had the power supply built in. Now I have battery powered Quad Core Mac Mini server from dB Audio Labs by Eric Hider. I know there's a lot of controversy as to which is better, Mac vs PC. I have not had extensive personal experience with PC based servers, just what I heard at audio shows and dealers. None of them really impressed me. What I can say about the dB Audio Labs Mac Mini server is that it is a revelation, unlike all the other versions of Mac Mini servers I've auditioned and heard. According to Eric, he and his software engineer basically rewrote and optimized the OS code that deals with audio and got rid of code that degraded the audio signal. He installed ultra fast RAM, SSD, and added battery power supply. Many of you may not realize how good construction of Mac Mini is to begin with as a server. Eric just took it to level no one else has. 

As for the sound quality, it was akin to jumping from a $2-3k DAC to a $10k+ DAC. What I immediately heard was clarity and transparency. The high frequency was extended, detailed, and not etched. It was like going from a soft dome tweeter to the finest ribbon tweeter. There was a jump in midrange openness and transparency. Sound stage and imaging went up another level. The sound was faster with better microdynamics. I didn't hear a significant improvement in bass extension, but base was clearer and more tuneful.  

In case you're wondering about my reference system, I have the Lampizator GG DAC with Takasuki 275B rectifier tube and Elrog 300B tubes as the source. My speakers are the Raidho D2, rebuilt Quad ESL 57, and Ridge Street Audio Design Sason (2-way speaker with Duelund CAST caps and resistors, scatter wound inductors, silver ribbon wiring weighing 240 lb each). My amp amps are Bob Carver Cherry 180 tube mono block amplifier (pi wound OPT, Vcap coupling caps, and built in Goldpoint attenuator), Bedini 1 Meg 25/25 Class A amp, and vintage Pioneer M22 class A amp. I have a dedicated audio room with extensive room treatments and dedicated AC lines and line conditioning. Yes, the dB Audio Labs Mac Mini Server is good enough to feed this system.

Most of all, it is very affordable, and you get a money back guarantee. Just call Eric hider. His costumer services is second to none. I am just a very happy customer.