Imac vs mac mini for music production reviews

#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS INSTALL#
#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS FOR ANDROID#
#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS PC#
#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS LICENSE#
#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS PLUS#

#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS PC#

Does Toslink/optical suffer from such terrible jitter that this isn't a viable solution for a $99 device? I have all of my CD's ripped into Apple Lossless and I leave a several-year-old PC on all the time to feed my music from. What's wrong with using a $99 Apple TV to stream your digital music from iTunes running on a networked PC? Apple TV has both HDMI and Toslink/optical outputs, so you can choose whatever connection you think works best with your system (I use both.HDMI for my main zone and optical for zones 2/3 since my pre-pro can't pass HDMI to secondary zones). This all seems too complicated for an arguable sound quality difference.

#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS FOR ANDROID#

If you just want to have a box with media files directly connected to your HiFi equipment, Kodi is an EXCELLENT media center that also has free remote apps for Android and iOS. Griffin's suggestion of an external USB model, or you can use an audiophile-quality soundcard like the Xonar Essence STX (or higher). In the absence of an HDMI-port, connect your system to a DAC, then to your HiFi. 'Vortexbox' and 'Audiophile Linux' are especially easy since the respective downloadable images are operating systems that have been pre-configured for listening pleasure.ДЈ.

#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS INSTALL#

Option B: If no OS is pre-installed, first install one, then choose the appropriate media server software from the link above. (FWIW, I've tried several of them but have found myself been using Universal Media Server for the last 3 years. Option A: If an operating system is pre-installed and configured, all you need to do is install media server software. Depending on what kind of system you purchased, install the necessary software. (If you do plan on upgrading your HiFi equipment some time later, ensure the system has HDMI-out.)Дў. There are numerous online retailers that offer models with a quad-core processor for much less than the low-end, dual-core Mini.

#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS LICENSE#

You can save yourself even more money if you purchase what's known as a 'bare bones' system - these usually do not come with a pre-installed operating systems, hence no additional license fee built-in to the cost. (This was a very rewarding DIY project that has my circle of friends green with envy! ESPECIALLY the Apple fanboys!)ДЎ.

If you don't want to limit yourself to Apple-only devices and their proprietary 'ecosystem', you can build your own inexpensive, open-sourced solution with way more features and connectivity. However, are you looking to stand up a true media server that can distribute media files to various devices on your network, or just have a box with media files directly connected to your HiFi equipment? You're right - retail media servers are way overpriced. Check out this excellent article written by Paul McGowan of PS Audio for detailed instructions on configuring a Mac Mini as a music server. Setting up the system shouldnвЂ™t be difficult, but there are some audiophile best practices you should pay attention to, especially if you want to play high-res audio.

#IMAC VS MAC MINI FOR MUSIC PRODUCTION REVIEWS PLUS#

The combined price, then, for your new music server setup would be in the $650 range-well below what you had originally budgeted for a Mac Mini plus a new HDMI-equipped receiver. Good USB DACs that you can hook up to your Mac Mini sell for as low as $150. What makes USB a superior option to HDMI in this case is that many USB DACs provide an Asynchronous transfer mode thatвЂ™s effective in reducing digital jitter. A USB DAC is a standalone device that connects to one of the Mac MiniвЂ™s USB outputs, converts the digital audio signal to analog, and then routes it to a preamp or receiver via an analog stereo output.

While the Mac Mini has an HDMI output that you can use to send audio to an HDMI-equipped receiver, youвЂ™ll be better off using a USB DAC for music listening. But I donвЂ™t think you need to spend money on a new receiver, which works out anyway since you like the sound of your old gear. Am I on the right track? -James SeedsДЄ I do think youвЂ™re on the right track in buying a Mac Mini computer ($499 and up) to use as a dedicated iTunes music server. ItвЂ™s my thought that I can get a Mac Mini and new HDMI-equipped receiver for under $2,000 and the sound will be comparable to dedicated media servers priced at $2,000 or higher. My plan is to purchase a new receiver with HDMI inputs and attach a Mac Mini computer to use as a music server. My current music system consists of a Bryston 4B amp and Adcom GFP-555 preamp-old school analog stuff, but sounds great when I play CDs. Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at IвЂ™ve been bouncing around the idea of upgrading my current gear and going digital because my wife and I want the convenience of being able to cue up any piece of music using our iPhones.

Imac vs mac mini for music production reviews