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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
synthfreek's avatar
synthfreek
627 posts
 
What stinks is not being able to use an IR remote with it though.
ecruz
402 posts
 
When using an iPod Touch as a remote, can you see iTunes on the Touch or do you still need a monitor? It would be great to be able to search, scroll, etc right on the Touch and not even have a monitor in the room.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Ecruz - you can see iTunes on the Touch.
ecruz
402 posts
 
I guess I'm going to have to hook my mini up to my system and compare it head-to-head with my Bolder modded Squeezebox. I'm very interested to hear the results.
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drubin
3,269 posts
 
Will you be going into a DAC? My experience thus far has been that the Squeezebox digital out beats Toslink out of the Mac Mini. If you are going analog out of both devices, I have no doubt that the Squeezebox will win easily.

Ultimately, I am looking for a Mac Mini solution for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the Remote app on the iPod Touch, which is truly special. I think the Squeezebox can be beat with USB out, but for me it's still a work in progress.

FYI, I have always found the Squeezebox digital out to be slightly inferior to playing the original CD on a transport into the same DAC. But I don't think it has to be so. In fact, I think the Mini or any other hard drive-based system should be able to beat the transport, but there are some remaining pieces to the puzzle I still need to solve.
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