Should I upgrade from a Mac Mini to a dedicated server or should I upgrade my dac?

I’m using Mac Mini as a roon core (I think it’s the 2018 version with 128gb SSD). No issues. 
I would keep the roon core away from the system and use it purely as Roon Core. Then run Ethernet into the streaming DAC from either the router or an access point. In both cases use EtherREGEN or a network filter between router/access point and the streaming DAC. 
Now to your question…upgrading the DAC in your setup, IMO, will reward you with a more noticeable improvement than upgrading the Roon Core. There are good options for a streaming DAC that are certified Roon endpoints,  either within or outside of Moon product line. 

@mofojo: I agree that trying all possible combinations is simply too time consuming but I certainly will continue to use Tidal/Qobuz. through Roon....hence my question of what is the most reasonable upgrade path.

@jjss49: I am sure that everything ultimately matters to some degree but I like to move incrementally and see how the system evolves.  And since there seem to be various approaches I am just trying to get a sense from others who have more experience and expertise than I do on where they think is the best place to start.


@sns: thanks for the tip but yes this may be a little more DIYing than I would feel comfortable tackling.  And just to clarify the system is set up as follows
Router -> Switch (2 outputs) -> (1) Mac Mini
                                              -> (2) Dac (newtork/endpoint)
All these are ethernet connection- switch has separate LPS.

@yyzsantabarbara: this sounds like an option and I'll look at the white paper.  The move to optical would cost some $2-2,5k so this would open the upgrade choices to three- either mac mini or dac or optical stream ...sounds like your last option would be a better choice than changing the mac mini- would go that route also if the choice were between this and getting a better dac?

@audphile1: this is what I always thought but then several times others told me that I would get a bigger improvement by switching out the mac.  Even verdantaudio brought this up on his very extensive dac resting post when I queried him on some of the dacs he was discussing- and as a dealer I thought I should take heed because from that perspective he, or any other dealer would probably stand to gain more if there were to sell a high end dac,  I have to say I have always found his input invaluable,  In any event I was looking to get some more feedback,

And btw thanks for all the inputs thus far- all very helpful !! 

@pgastone  Moving to Fibre is at most $1500 on the Rendu lineup. I have 3 of them with LPS. Including a used one for half that price.

Baby step would be to get a network switch with Fibre output and a $1500  (or less) package of the OpticalRendu + LPS. You can get it for less and I do not think you need to get the audiophile upgrades (I have both the upgraded and standard).

https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/pages/systemoptique-certified

I have the ROON ONLY model since I do not do any else with the stream outside of ROON.

@pgastone

If you’re looking for a simpler yet high performance streaming source, consider Grimm Audio MU1.

I am using a Network DAC with Roon Core and Endpoint (all in one box) and couldn’t be any happier. If you’re interested in learning more about this amazing DAC/Roon player, check out Merging Technologies +player. 
 

@pgastone

@jjss49: I am sure that everything ultimately matters to some degree but I like to move incrementally and see how the system evolves. And since there seem to be various approaches I am just trying to get a sense from others who have more experience and expertise than I do on where they think is the best place to start.

you can start wherever you want, but based on the component list you shared in your initial post, and assuming it is set up right, your system should definitely be good enough to hear the sonic advantages of each improvement step (streamer, dac, core/network)

in my own experience, i did the dac upgrade first, it was kind of an obvious place to start... but the streamer upgrade and core/network purification/filtering steps were each quite significant in sound quality... if put gun to head to put numbers on apportion degrees of improvement to each step, i would say 50% dac, streamer 20-25%, core/network 25-30% -- so given that, if you want the full monty, you can’t really skip any of the above, especially as the improvements are cumulative in nature

longer version of what i was trying to say earlier...