Upstream Bottlenecks, Experience, Opinions, Meitner Dac

@bigwave1 See you're using modded mac mini. Have you bridged firewire port as second ethernet port? This port will connect direct to Meitner. Will be superior to using the single ethernet port with switch. Also, which power supply using with mini, this makes large difference as well, I use Uptone JS2 with my mini. Also what have you done to optimize operating system? Get third party app wipe conversion, disable as many processes as possible. Disable system integrity protection, major upgrade,  Get fastest processor, I7 better than I5, run PCIe ssd vs sata.

Get rid of any usb or conversion or rendering prior to Meitner, don't complicate things here. Mini direct out to Meitner, Power cords important, power conditioning as well. Weak links are weak links, with streaming so many possible weak links!

As for switch vs. router. I added audiophile switch at one point to compare with my router/lps setup, not good, much preferred modded mini direct out to streamer. So, I'd forget about switch at this point, get lps for router, in my case over spec lps, means lps can deliver more amps than router requires. Down the road you can experiment with cleaning up ethernet feed to mini, either optical conversion or various filters. I'm presently experimenting with optical conversion via two FMC, both powered by lps, not totally convinced, but superior to audiophile switch in same position. Next experiment will be Network Acoustics Muon ethernet filter.

I'd stick with mini for now if doing or have done all mods listed above. By early fall I will be comparing my maxed out mini to custom atx motherboard build server based on Taiko Extreme standards, will tell me extent non-rendering server has on ultimate sound quality.

sns, thanks for your sincere assistance. I purchased the Mac mini in 2013, from a now out of business “Core Audio”. I believe they disabled, modded everything that was known at the time, running Audirvana. I have to say, the sound is amazing from the ripped files. I had used the firewire port when I owned an Orpheus mixing Dac. I’m now using the PueAudio Lotus 5 Dac usb to mini, Co-ax to Transport.
MM LPS, there is no indication as to what I purchased from the Core Audio people but it cost me about 1500, 8-9 years ago and it’s hard wired to the mini. I had a mini previously that was stolen in a divorce and had that one on an external ps but not hard wired. I had brought it to a Mac store for a reason I can’t remember and before I could say wait, don’t hook it to your ps, they plugged it in an sparks flew in the store and the mini was done. It was replaced and modded by the Core Audio Co again to which it is now hardwired.
If I knew how to bridge the firewire port as second Ethernet I would do it.
I may try today to power up the MA3,

The problem I have with Audirvana is I am unable to get another hd to function as the one spinning now is old. I know it’s an issue within the minis software but it’s a bit beyond me knowledge base. I have Synology Drives that are now incompatible with the newest Mac OS. The MM is often slow and I’m getting done with the boot ups and shut downs. I really can’t go down the 7-17K server path, maybe as suggested, server with AES output.
Shielded cable is grounded at both ends or one end floats, I mean the shield floats on one end or not. ? Thanks for listening.

Directions for bridging firewire port, https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/30376-a-novel-way-to-massively-improve-the-sq-of-computer-audio-streaming/

I previously owned mini with Core Audio internal and external power supplies, diy install. I believe Core likely did operating system optimization if purchased as package direct from them. I bet you're running seriously out of date operating system with your mini. Pretty easy to update OS with Macs, although you may lose OS optimizations with update, I do know 2013 mini can run latest OS, Monterey. I run Synology NAS, no issues running with latest Mac OS.

The issues you're having with MM point to the problem with diy server, steep learning curve if not computer savvy. Audiophilestyle forum has people that can provide help. I expect you're at end of life with present MM without the OS update, everything can be resolved with OS upgrade. I'd go with OS upgrade if I were in your shoes, mini's pretty nice with full upgrades and modifications, with your Core Audio, already half way there.

SNS,

I did purchase a package from core. You are absolutely correct, the mm is out of gas. It seems with each upgrade, the machine runs slower. I don’t mind spending for and SGC or nuc plus ???, but I think u r suggesting that an optimized mm might be better sounding. Looking forward to your comparison with optical. I also appreciate your usage of other terms such as PCIe. Thanks,I’ve educated myself. 
I would even package up my present mm and lps, or purchase a new one and have it hot rodded  if I knew where to send. 
In the meantime, I’ll follow your lead over to the forum.