Why Not A Mac Mini Music Server ?

[Tonepub]

The music server thing is just like the analog world in the sense that you can get as crazy or simple as you want with it.

I've been really happy with the Sooloos because it does offer great 24/96 support (now) and it's the best interface if you have a fairly large collection and really like to listen to your music in a semi random fashion.

Where the Sooloos has also been handy is it's automatic backup functions. I know if I was using a Mac Mini, I wouldn't be as "on it" as i should with backup and inevitably something bad would happen. With the Sooloos, I don't even have to think about it.

When I think about all the time I've saved ripping my CD collection to the Sooloos and not having to back up or hunt down ID tags, etc etc. it's paid for itself many times over. However, the cost of entry for Sooloos is higher than just grabbing a mac mini.

If you have a large music collection and don't like screwing around with computer stuff, (and it makes sense for your budget) I highly suggest the Sooloos.

[klipschfan]

Originally Posted by 1KW

Dan,

You can't listen to HD music with the MS750. My other reason for going in this direction is so I can have the the 3 D Bach filters installed in the pure stereo software so I can listen to music in 3 D. Once you experience 3 D music you will never want to go back to stereo with crosstalk.

Video: Princeton engineer makes 3D sound a reality

[Pyro]

Originally Posted by tonepub

The music server thing is just like the analog world in the sense that you can get as crazy or simple as you want with it.

I've been really happy with the Sooloos because it does offer great 24/96 support (now) and it's the best interface if you have a fairly large collection and really like to listen to your music in a semi random fashion.

Where the Sooloos has also been handy is it's automatic backup functions. I know if I was using a Mac Mini, I wouldn't be as "on it" as i should with backup and inevitably something bad would happen. With the Sooloos, I don't even have to think about it.

When I think about all the time I've saved ripping my CD collection to the Sooloos and not having to back up or hunt down ID tags, etc etc. it's paid for itself many times over. However, the cost of entry for Sooloos is higher than just grabbing a mac mini.

If you have a large music collection and don't like screwing around with computer stuff, (and it makes sense for your budget) I highly suggest the Sooloos.

With a mac mini with Mac OS X you can simply use the time machine function for your backups.

[1KW]

Originally Posted by klipschfan

Video: Princeton engineer makes 3D sound a reality

It works exactly like he describes in the video. It's the most amazing thing. People worry about what kind of power cord they use and not having the wires touch the floor. I have a hard time hearing a difference. But this 3 D sound is unbelievable and anyone who hears the demonstration of this will think long and hard about the other tweeks in comparison !

[Supercronopio]

Originally Posted by BearCubinNY

I own the QB-9 as well. It is a fine DAC with a wonderful dynamic range. When I had it in my system it took a good 200 hours to fully open. My only issue was that with only USB as an input (and only one of them!), you are limited in your choices. Ultimately I needed a few more inputs with my current setup.

Enjoy your DAC!

Reg

I cheated a little bit. The day I brought home the new QB-9, I also received some new Gold Lion tubes for the C500. So, while the QB-9 breaks in my system will sound better from the tubes.

[80B]

A lot of great perspectives on this thread. What's cool about the servers is that they come in so many different configurations and capabilities. You can certainly get nearly whatever it is you want, and we all have varying wants and needs with these from high-def dedicated machines like Sooloos and Olive to the all-in-one server plus PC.

Here's a press release for a potential product: "Apple and McIntosh Labs have collaborated to bring the latest in high-tech hi-end A/V equipment: The Mc-Mac, aka the Mac-Mc (not to be confused with the Micmac tribe of Prince Edward Island). The Mc-Mac highly redefines hi def. While running on its own proprietary 0SXI (pronounce os-key as opposed to off-key), the Mac-Mc allows the high-tech audiophile can now listen to any music file format while staring at green lights with just the right amount of brushed aluminum that complements a glass face. Yes, we've taken the best of two premium-priced products and give you one that will be priced even higher! These items can be purchased at authorized McIntosh dealers or by the one guy at the Apple store who will be wearing a polo shirt with both the McIntosh globe logo alongside the Apple logo (another first - an apple logo on apparel other than a t-shirt). While at the Apple store you can give the Mc-Mac a listen on a pair of altec lansing $79 speakers that sell for $39 elsewhere without the Apple cord interface!"

[deafbykhorns]

Have you looked at the Dlink Boxee Box? It plays all formats and has a USB input for external drive. I use a NAS with internal Itunes server plus the Boxee. The Boxee also plays Flac files. My laptop has access to this as well and serves as a document/time machine backup

[Dj_AmTraX]

I have a Mac Mini with Amarra Mini. I like the sound, but it's not as fun as changing CDs and a nice feeling transport.

[Tonepub]

Originally Posted by Pyro

With a mac mini with Mac OS X you can simply use the time machine function for your backups.

Unfortunately, I've had Time Machine fail more than once. I would not trust my music collection to Time Machine.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Pyro

With a mac mini with Mac OS X you can simply use the time machine function for your backups.

The Mac Mini is definitely a compelling value-proposition as music server for many folks; especically those that don't have $10K to drop on a Sooloos.

You can use Time Machine, or you can use SuperDuper! to create bit-perfect backups to an external HD. Time Machine makes it easy, but the manual method works fine, too. Folks should be doing this on a a regular basis for their regular compuer files, anyway, regardless of their music files. For my digital photography files, I use SuperDuper! to keep a HD backup of my current "image tank". When the current image tank gets full, i get two new HDs, and put the two full HDs (master plus backup) on the shelf with all my cataloging info. There's lots of reliable software out today that let's one schedule full, incremental, or "disk image" backup on a regularly scheduled and automated basis. I backup my music HD every week or so by just hooking up the two drives to my Macbook Pro, and let it run overnight while I'm sleeping. Next morning, everything is done and I have a backup. No worries. I mean really, it's less work than doing a load of laundry.