Mac Mini As A Streaming Source

I transitioned from a MacBook to a MiniMac running Audirvāna to a dedicated server.  I chose Aurender running QoBuz over Conductor.  Personal preference. You must audition and use the Apps and make your own choice.  Using the dedicated server removed a high frequency glare that improved timbre, peesented a blacker background that improved detail and opened the stage with denser, more organic images.  
 

If you must stay with a computer run a music server program.  My choice was Audirvāna but again you must listen and play to make the choice.  I did have occasional but rare in frequency dropouts with Audirvāna that I could never solve.  
 

No matter which way you go a high quality USB and power cord or power supply is required (power cord or supply if you go with a server, not MiniMac unless you mod). I use WyWires Platinum with the Aurender.   A good value if they are still running their sale. Also in my system, vibration isolation on digital equipment has positive effects but not so much on downstream amplification.  I use Symposium platforms and RollerBlock Jrs.  My strong recommendation strong is a dedicated server.  Let you ears and software preferences make they choice.  Many good server recommendations from other members above. 

I’ve been a Mac fan since the late 80s. However, are extremely noisy!

As I find Roon by far the best user interface for playing music, I went from discarded pc to Mac laptop to usb stick stuck into my Synology NAS as Roon core. Then I got an Ayre Codex as DAC,  which predates Roon, so I got the Nucleus both to feed the Codex and run the core. The noise floor is much lower with the purpose built Nucleus. The only better streamers I’ve heard are the Aurenders and the best, the DCS Network Bridge. (Discontinued, but represented in the Bartók, Rossini and Vivaldi). The new HIFI Rose streamers are very good, and the RS250A has a decent DAC. That is what I’d choose if starting now, though I’d not give up the Codex, the network transport is very good - RS250A into Codex is far better than other digital front ends I’ve heard in the under $5k category.

Sorry everyone.  I got 3 errors indicating my response did not post.  Apparently it posted multiple times.  

Alot of incorectt information here pcs are not the same thing as a server mostservers are designed to preserve data by eliminating radiated noise

 

a pc is not built for music quality solely.

 

we import the 432evo music servers into the us.

 

we just sold one to a client running a mac and he was pleasently surpriseed how much better his system now sounds he will be posting a gull review in a few weeks

 

our servers are designed to totally isolate the data

first we use a very low noise cpu then th cpu is shielded by a custom designed cooper shield the ssd is mechanically isolated on a spring suspension as well

 

We employ two external linear power supplies on most models the flagship Master has three independent power supplies in one external chassis

then the clock and usb cards are electrically separated from the cpu

this is a huge improvement over other designs

even roon is run differently we use one cpu core to run roon

 

another core runs other processes.

while another core caches music files.

 

the results of this incredible dedication to eliminate noise is a sound closer to analog playback.

with digital implementation is everything.

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect nj

USimporters 432evo music servers.