Why Not A Mac Mini Music Server ?

[1KW]

I have been happy with my sonos for the last few years but now I am looking to move into 3D HD music. To do this I need to have a way to play HD music and the sonos just is not capable at this time. Itunes/pure music software will play HD music and since I already have a mac lap it is easy to control a mac mini by going into screen sharing in the preferences. This will allow my lap top to be a wireless screen/mouse and keyboard. I can also use my ipad or iphone as well using the free remote app. . Having the mac mini next to my MCD500 connected with either a optical cable or a usb Halide Design S/PDIF Bridge should allow for a HD music server and I was wondering why more people are not doing this. The mac mini is relatively inexpensive and adding extra HD is as easy as stacking it on top of one of these Amazon.com: Iomega MiniMax FireWire 800/USB 2.0 1TB Desktop External Hard Drive 34937 (White): Electronics . The mac mini also has HDMI output so you can attach it to a tv and use a wireless keyboard and mouse . So am I missing something here ? Is there a reason the mac mini is not popular for a HD music server ?

[BuffaloBill]

In my view, if Apple would offer iTunes in Apple Lossless version many, if not most, audiophiles would come begging at their feet.

[1KW]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

In my view, if Apple would offer iTunes in Apple Lossless version many, if not most, audiophiles would come begging at their feet.

They do offer applelossless, WAV and AIFF which are all lossless. If you load pure music CHANNEL D - Pure Music this sofware uses your itunes library to play HD music including Flac.

[JFR0317]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I have been happy with my sonos for the last few years but now I am looking to move into 3D HD music. To do this I need to have a way to play HD music and the sonos just is not capable at this time. Itunes/pure music software will play HD music and since I already have a mac lap it is easy to control a mac mini by going into screen sharing in the preferences. This will allow my lap top to be a wireless screen/mouse and keyboard. I can also use my ipad or iphone as well using the free remote app. . Having the mac mini next to my MCD500 connected with either a optical cable or a usb Halide Design S/PDIF Bridge should allow for a HD music server and I was wondering why more people are not doing this. The mac mini is relatively inexpensive and adding extra HD is as easy as stacking it on top of one of these Amazon.com: Iomega MiniMax FireWire 800/USB 2.0 1TB Desktop External Hard Drive 34937 (White): Electronics . The mac mini also has HDMI output so you can attach it to a tv and use a wireless keyboard and mouse . So am I missing something here ? Is there a reason the mac mini is not popular for a HD music server ?

I think that would make a great music server, David.

I have thought about doing something very similar myself and may yet do so. The Mac Mini opens up video possibilities as well that my current crop of music servers don't provide (with the partial exception of my AppleTV).

[BuffaloBill]

Originally Posted by 1KW

They do offer applelossless, WAV and AIFF which are all lossless. If you load pure music CHANNEL D - Pure Music this sofware uses your itunes library to play HD music including Flac.

I thought music purchased from the iTunes Store was only available in Compressed AAC 256. Am I incorrect?

[1KW]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

I thought music purchased from the iTunes Store was only available in Compressed AAC 256. Am I incorrect?

You don't have to buy your music from the itunes store. You can import your own CD's or download music from any site on the internet such as HDtracks .

[BuffaloBill]

Originally Posted by 1KW

You don't have to buy your music from the itunes store. You can import your own CD's or download music from any site on the internet such as HDtracks .

I understand I can import (rip) and download non-compressed music into iTunes, but for me the revelation would be to buy the music I listen to direct from the iTunes Store in Apple Lossless and then use my MacBook Pro and Airport Express to wirelessly send the music to my home system bit-for-bit perfect.

[BearCubinNY]

David, the Mac Mini is a great way to get into Hirez music. It’s compact and with the Halide Bridge will serve up high quality music. If you follow the natural progression of trying to extract the most from a concept you’ll end up also contemplating a Mac Laptop and then a Mac Pro. Each step will bring slightly better performance. Most people run Mac Laptops on battery when critical listening, which benefits the sound quality. A Mac Pro can be tweaked to outperform the best CD players that exist (for a price of course).

You can keep it simple and enjoy very good Red Book and Hirez music. Now, if it’s in your nature, you can tweek to no end! Good luck!

Reg

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by BearCubinNY

David, the Mac Mini is a great way to get into Hirez music. It’s compact and with the Halide Bridge will serve up high quality music. If you follow the natural progression of trying to extract the most from a concept you’ll end up also contemplating a Mac Laptop and then a Mac Pro. Each step will bring slightly better performance. Most people run Mac Laptops on battery when critical listening, which benefits the sound quality. A Mac Pro can be tweaked to outperform the best CD players that exist (for a price of course).

You can keep it simple and enjoy very good Red Book and Hirez music. Now, if it’s in your nature, you can tweek to no end! Good luck!

Reg.......Or, your can just buy a Sooloos.

Who wants a bunch of little white plastic boxes stacked around their sound system? Not me.

[BearCubinNY]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Reg.......Or, your can just buy a Sooloos.

Who wants a bunch of little white plastic boxes stacked around their sound system? Not me.

You're right Dan. I guess I should have put the Sooloos at the end of the progression.

Reg