Any Apple Music Server People Here?

[70sMac]

To clarify, I'm wondering if anyone is using an Apple computer -- along with some form of Network Attached Storage -- to create a "magic juke box"?

[clpetersen]

Yes. I ran JRiver, Sonos, and Roon off of a 2019 Core i7 Mac Mini and kept the music library on an older, entry level Synology NAS. To avoid having to keep the Mac mini always on (personal preference) I updated to a newer Synology NAS, which now runs Roon core as well as the library. JRiver and Sonos access the same library, just running on the 'mini.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by clpetersen

Yes. I ran JRiver, Sonos, and Roon off of a 2019 Core i7 Mac Mini and kept the music library on an older, entry level Synology NAS. To avoid having to keep the Mac mini always on (personal preference) I updated to a newer Synology NAS, which now runs Roon core as well as the library. JRiver and Sonos access the same library, just running on the 'mini.

Would you mind elaborating on the differences between your early Synology NAS and the newer version? Was it just to avoid having to keep the Mac Mini running all the time?

[clpetersen]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

Would you mind elaborating on the differences between your early Synology NAS and the newer version? Was it just to avoid having to keep the Mac Mini running all the time?

Hello 70's - yes that was the primary driver for the new NAS (shut down the 'mini every night and let it go to sleep when not used - which is most of the time). I am a believer in NAS storage once I first started using them, 7-8 years ago. So that first (entry level) NAS was getting old and performance has improved dramatically. Also lets you save considerable $$ on expensive Mac memory since files are offloaded to the NAS.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by clpetersen

Hello 70's - yes that was the primary driver for the new NAS (shut down the 'mini every night and let it go to sleep when not used - which is most of the time). I am a believer in NAS storage once I first started using them, 7-8 years ago. So that first (entry level) NAS was getting old and performance has improved dramatically. Also lets you save considerable $$ on expensive Mac memory since files are offloaded to the NAS.

CLPetersen..... When you first started looking at NAS devices, did you have other brands in contention? In other words, did you consider other NAS brands or have you found that Synology is far and away the best brand going?

[clpetersen]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

CLPetersen..... When you first started looking at NAS devices, did you have other brands in contention? In other words, did you consider other NAS brands or have you found that Synology is far and away the best brand going?

No, QNAP and Synology seem to be the most popular for home systems. They are very competitive with each other in terms of performance, price, and features. I started with Synology, no issues, so stayed with the brand I knew.

[70sMac]

I know that several acronyms/names were mentioned in this thread, earlier this month, but one of them was suggested to me today, so I thought that I'd ask about it here: JRiver.

As we now have a new [to us] MacBook Pro (MBP) to work with, I'm experimenting with setting up an internal wireless LAN -- NOTE: No Internet Connection -- and part of that experiment is to be able to access music files stored on the MBP in our office and play them via our Oppo 105D (which is an opposing corner of the house).

It's important to note that I can see the MBP via the Oppo's network setup utility on our TV -- which clearly indicates that our network is working -- but when I select the computer and open up the "music" folder, it asks for a user name and a password. I've tried every name and password we have and simply can't gain access.

By the way, I opened this discussion up with a reference to JRiver because a friend of mine has suggested that, by using it, I can avoid some of these setup issues.

If anyone has any thoughts on any of this Mac related nonsense, I'd be much obliged for some thoughts on the matter...

[Stahle]

I also use a Mac Mini as a music server and run Roon software. I run it headless with an iPad. The only difference from what you are asking is that my music is stored directly on the Mac Mini and not a network storage device. I didn’t do this because I also have an iMac that has an identical copy of my music library on it and it’s backed up to a separate storage device and I was trying to keep the Mac Mini music server as simple as possible.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Stahle

I also use a Mac Mini as a music server and run Roon software. I run it headless with an iPad. The only difference from what you are asking is that my music is stored directly on the Mac Mini and not a network storage device. I didn’t do this because I also have an iMac that has an identical copy of my music library on it and it’s backed up to a separate storage device and I was trying to keep the Mac Mini music server as simple as possible.

What does "...run it 'headless' with an iPad," mean? Do you have an ethernet setup at home?

[Stahle]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

What does "...run it 'headless' with an iPad," mean? Do you have an ethernet setup at home?

Running the Mac mini headless means that I am controlling my Mac mini with my iPhone or iPad rather than using a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I can do this because I have set up my Mac mini to be a Roon Core and Roon has an app available which allows one to control the Roon Core with an iPhone or iPad. This is very convenient and allows me tuck the Mac mini away and out of sight. To learn more about this, Roon has a tutorial on their website that explains how their software works.

As far as Ethernet, I have the Mac mini hard wired to my wifi router via an Ethernet cable. The Mac mini is then connected to my Simaudio DAC via a USB cable.

A couple things to note. I only use my Mac mini as a Roon Core and do not use it for anything else. Also, before running the Mac mini headless like this, be sure to set up the Roon software on the Mac mini to auto start on startup otherwise you’ll either have to reattach the monitor, keyboard, and mouse or screen share into the Mac mini every time the power cycles just to start the Roon software. In case you don’t know what screen sharing is, it means that one can use another computer to basically take over the Mac mini and then use the other computer’s monitor, keyboard, and mouse to control the Mac mini. And finally, if you don’t have wifi in your home, I don’t believe you can run your Mac mini headless like this to control the Roon software with an iPhone or iPad.