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Mac Mini As A Streaming Source

I have been looking to add a digital streaming source to my sound system and so am VERY new to this process.  But, from what I see the variety is mind boggling and there is no complete device out there that would do CD/SACD playback, plus all available music streaming apps, plus Roon.

I use apple music for high res/lossless streaming on my phone, especially their new classical service as that is my primary listening, so compatibility with this app is mandatory.  This, however, seems to eliminate every single digital streamer out there.  But, am I missing something?

So, what are the thoughts on using a mac mini for a dedicated source, linked to a DAC?  I can put all of the streaming apps there, and install Roon there, and put my existing CD ripped files on the hard drive. Connect to the internet over wifi.

What output cable would I use to connect to the internal DAC on my Mark Levinsion 585.5?

Could everything be operated with an Ipad running Roon, without the need for keyboards?

The only thing missing would be CD playback, but could that be accomplished using  a DVD/Blu Ray reader attached to the Mac?

Any help on this would be appreciated!

gwhphoto
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
999 posts
 

Ahhh the old Apple lock in at play.

People have success with Mac Mini’s.

 

Personally I would not run a Roon core on a Mac Mini. Not after having experience with it. I switched off a Mac Mini to a Small Green Computer ST with a Bryston Pi endpoint. You could get a SGC ST with a Sonore endpoint to run the Roon core and play ripped files. especially the optical Rendu

The boat anchor is the Apple Music. Maybe do a trial run with Qobuz or Tidal music service and see if there classical offerings have your content. Here is a link to how Roon manages Classical, advance to about the 4:10 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N3RZM_JfL0

If you can find a Roon endpoint that uses another of your 6 digital besides USB input you could use a iPAD mini and go USB into your ML.

 

It was a happy day when I said goodby to Apple music and my mini in the chain.

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,635 posts
 

@jbuhl +1

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,396 posts
 

I’ve used mac mini as a streamer for years. I had Roon on it and was streaming Qobuz and local files in AIFF, FLAC, ALAC. Wasn’t a fan.

Both streamers I purchased as upgrade, the Auric Aries G1 and Limin U1 Mini easily beat it on tone, finesse and musicality

I now use my mac mini as a Roon core only. Very happy with.

I would not recommend using it as a Roon core and streamer all at once. If you read up on Roon’s guidelines for core, they don’t recommend using core as a streamer.

larrykell
122 posts
 

I upgraded to an M2 Mac Mini and it works great as a streaming device to my Aqua formula DAC. Roon is quick, much quicker than on the 7-8 year old Mini I was running.

I use a Luna dongle to send video to an iPad so I can run the Mac Mini in headless mode.

I stream from Tidal and Qobuz under Roon. The Mac mini runs my Roon core. 

I’m curious how you would stream from Apple Classical as I thought they only had an iPhone version and not a version for the Mac Mini. If they had a version for the Mac Mini, I would run it.

My dream is that one day the Naxos Music Library will allow themselves to be integrated under Roon but I guess that is unlikely.

asctim
504 posts
 

I don't know for sure but I think you can connect the phone or iPad directly to the amp via USB. You may also be able to stream the phone through the Mac Mini. 

I control my Mac Mini with a keyboard and mouse, hooked up through my TV so I can see what I'm doing. I don't use Roon or anything like that. Just straight from Apple Music, or Youtube when I'm listening to that. I don't know why a different streamer would make a difference in terms of tone, finesse, and musicality. That's really weird and the causes for why that might be happening have not even been close to reasonably explained but it may be happening with some setups. 

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