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Why Mac Mini Over Slim Systems Products?

Here are my thoughts. Please let me know if they make sense:

1) Using a Mac Mini for a music server is superior to slim systems duet or squeezebox if you are interested in playing high resolution files (I am).

2) Mac Mini and the Transporter both do high resolution, but Mac Mini would likely provide more universal access to things out there on the web.

3) Now with the ability to use the itouch as a remote control, the Mac Mini has just as much remote functionality as the slim systems stuff. You will still need a screen and keyboard for startup though.

4) It is better to use the USB out of the Mac Mini than the optical mini plug (I don't know why this is true, it may not be true, I've just seen it several times).

IF all these statements are true, then I want to go the Mac Mini route. I have a spare monitor and keyboard. Now I would just need to figure out the DAC question. Please advise re the above. Thanks, Peter
peter_s
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
Tagging on to get read from those who know.
Thanks
Chazz
restock
831 posts
 
5) You can connect the Mini to a LCD TV and watch your favorite shows and movies downloaded from the internet.

6) With a big LCD display or a LCD TV you can have the beautiful album artwork displayed while playing back music.

I tried all, Squeezebox, Transporter and Mac Mini at home and decided the Mini route. In the end it came down to the user interface - I could not stand the user interface for Slimserver and the fact that Slimdevices is now Logitech (which is really just a personal preference ;).

I did prefer the Mini via USB sonically to the Transporter, Squeezebox, and Mini Toslink out by a small margin (using the Benchmark USB DAC).
mr_bill
347 posts
 
The ability to playback high resolution files would still be a question for me. I know the Duet and SB# don't pass high resolution but the Transporter does.
What is the highest resolution file that the mac mini will pass via toslink or USB?

Another point for me is that I would not want a screen in my two channel system but that's a personal point.

I currently am running with the Duet and really like it with an extrenal Dac.
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,367 posts
 
I have had the Mac Mini via USB output with either a Wavelength Cosecant or MHDT Paradisea + DAC for a couple of years now. I have had zero trouble and it sounds great, better than any CD player I have owned. I have almost 2 TB of rips at this point and it is so nice to have all that music at my fingertips.

My friend who also started his music server setup at the same time went the PC route and used Slim Server and Squeezebox. He has had nothing but trouble and has never gotten his setup working completely.

The combo of Mac Mini with itunes and the Paradisea + DAC is a no brainer and has to be one of the best bargains in all of audio in my opinion.
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