Mac Mini

Curious about a Mac mini as a server - are a key board and monitor required?  Need some guidance please.

@miner42 - only for set-up as I understand it. You run it ’headless’ and depending on software, you operate it with a wifi remote control, e.g. Audnirvana, a software program designed for Mac computers (but now apparently on the verge of releasing a Windows version), runs on the Mac and you ’talk’ to it, control selections, etc. via a remote app that can be installed on an iPad.
I’m not sure how relevant the Mac Mini is at this point. I’m still researching how I go about building a music server. (Building may be too ambitious a word, i don’t possess any great technical skills). But, apparently, the switching power supply should be changed out to permit a linear supply to be attached-- though there are kits that aren’t terribly expensive for the conversion and there are some modestly priced supplies, a better linear supply can cost a little money.
I still like the idea of something made from computer components rather than an all in one "audiophile" server. The gamers and Linux people seem to know how to source the parts to build pretty robust CPUs. That said, I gather the Mac Mini was a great starting point at one time.

I run Roon core 24/7 on a Mac Mini and control it with Roon remote from an iPad with WiFi connection.  I run and control Roon bridge with an iMac.  Neither a keyboard nor monitor is used with the Mini, although both are available.

db

Regarding isolation of vibration from a spinning disc in the Mac Mini, mine has had an SSD installed.  The Mini connects to an Ayre QX-5 Twenty digital hub via ethernet.

db 

@dbphd - did you modify the Mini to operate from a linear PS? If so, what route did you go?
Although I’m an old hand at analog audio, I’m just now entering the digital world (in a hi-fi context, not car players or the like).
I gather that the Mini could run Audirvana Plus (which is what I’m using now, with mine) and be networked with an Ethernet based DAC and NAS, but wonder how much the Mini’s sound still comes into play since Audirvana is not only a library management system but a "player." My impression, based on a lot of anecdotal comments here and elsewhere is, that the "audio specific" servers sound better. Putting a couple thousand into the Mini with a mod and robust power supply doesn’t make sense, but perhaps your experience suggests otherwise. It is really a question I’m posing, based on a set of assumptions, not staking out a position. I’m not quite ready to make the leap to the ’next thing’-- I only installed the digital front end in the past month or so, thus, I’m receptive to viewpoints from Mini users.