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In Reply to: RE: Mac Mini/iTunes--Please help me AbeCollins! posted by Bob S on February 17, 2017 at 04:21:03
Some older Mac Minis and the newer entry level units are fine for basic music ripping and playback. However, there are software players you may want to experiment with as you gain more experience and some of them work better with a faster processor and more memory.Whatever Mac Mini you choose, I would get 8GB or more for RAM and a SSD. Players like Audirvana Plus and Pure Music benefit from more RAM when enabling the 'memory play' feature. Players like Roon benefit from faster database indexing with SSD.
HQPlayer is the outlier that benefits greatly from the fastest CPU. It can be a CPU hog! Bottom line is, unless you will be using HQPlayer a modest CPU is fine.
2009 & 2010 Mac Minis use Intel Core 2 duo processors. Newer ones use Intel i5 or i7, which are better.
As for HDMI, I have used older Mac Mini's with DVI-to-HDMI cables to the TV/Monitor. However, it didn't carry the audio signal. You will have to bring audio out separately from the Mini to the TV/Monitor for Netflix, or route the audio separately to your DAC (USB / Toslink 3.5mm). We're talking pretty old Mac Minis which I would not recommend today.
I have also used Display Port to HDMI adapter cables. The static video quality is fine. I've never streamed Netflix thru any of my Minis so I cannot comment.
You can rip using iTunes and also use iTunes to fetch Album art over the internet. XLD is excellent but as you've discovered will require a bit more setup.
Linked below is a Mac Mini wiki that shows the history of Mac Mini along with their capabilities through the generations. Also, beware that the latest OS is macOS Sierra. If you want to run that OS, here are the general system requirements:
MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
P.S. Audirvana Plus and Pure Music are outstanding. Roon is great! My experience with BitPerfect was pretty sad but that was a long time ago. It would sometimes lockup and not work. I haven't tried it since.
Edits: 02/17/17Follow Ups:
Thanks Abe!After giving it some more thought, I am leaning toward a 2011/newer or current model, which in addition to having better processors, would also make the DVI-HDMI a moot point. If I recall correctly, you put a SSD in your original mini, but then took it out--Now that you are back to a SSD, you must obviously think it is worth it--or do you need it because you are using Roon?
I would prefer to stay well under $1000--If I understand correctly, a new base Mini with Fusion Drive ($750) would be satisfactory with Roon, or if I plan on using Audirvana, perhaps a used 2011 Mini from OWC with 16GB of RAM ($520). If I upgrade to a 480GB SSD, it would be about the same price as the new base Mini/Fusion Drive.
As I look at it now, it seems as though a used 2011 Mini makes the most sense--unless I am missing something?
Edits: 02/17/17
For me the main advantage of the internal SSD is very fast bootup times and very fast software updates, etc. The Mac operating system is on the SSD and some claim that separating the boot SSD from the disk where your music is stored can benefit the sonics. I'm not 100% convinced of that but it is something you can experiment with on your own if you wish. To get started, there's no harm in using a less expensive HDD or the Fusion Drive. With the Fusion Drive setup the Mini will still bootup very fast as the OS is kept on flash memory (like an SSD) while less used files will stay on the HDD.
The only thing I'm not sure of with Roon is whether it's database will use the flash portion of the Fusion Drive as it appears as one large volume. You don't "see" the flash memory and the HDD as separate entities and I'm not sure if Roon will either. But, I suspect that unless your music library is huge, Roon will still function and be responsive w/o it accessing the flash memory. My setup is 100% SSD and it was a bit pricey. I have not played around with a Fusion Drive. Your call on the Fusion Drive.
Your choice of the 2011 Mac Mini probably makes the most sense in weighing the cost + options vs the cost of a brand new Mini. At least you get the Intel i5 processor which is much better than the previous gen Core 2 duo. And loaded with 16GB RAM and SSD would make for a pretty sweet setup.
I just assumed the Roon database would use the flash portion of the Fusion Drive--but maybe not...
At any rate, I am getting ahead of myself if I want to keep it simple to start out--I just wanted to have an general idea of what I want to accomplish, and at least I have my options narrowed down. Now to take your advice and just get started!
I could forego the Fusion Drive, and order a base model Mini with 8GB memory (I don't know if I can bring myself to pay $300 for 16GB), and rip my CDs to the standard hard drive. At the end of the warranty period, purchase a small SSD, and use it for the Mac operating system, accessing the music library from the original disc installed in a separate enclosure--as you described above?
The benefits would be having the latest model and warranty, but the downsides would be a slower processor and expensive memory...
The current base model with i5 processor will be just fine. That entry level processor is much better than any of the older Core 2 Duo CPU's in the older Minis. And 8GB will be the sweet spot for memory. You can rip your CDs to the internal 500GB disk and keep it simple, or you can even attach an external USB drive and rip your CDs to it. You just tell iTunes where to place your rips. How many CDs will you rip?The base Mac Mini as it is with one HDD can later be upgraded to one SSD. Or, with a special kit from OWC MacSales, you can install two disks in the Mini. I did that with my 2012 Mini. They provided a flex cable and mounting bracket so it will accommodate two disks.
Note that you can often find the Mac Mini for less than LIST price through some retailers like BestBuy, Amazon, or PC stores like Micro Center. The only issue might be finding one outfitted with exactly the options you want. It seems that most retailers carry the basic "off the shelf" models. A quick search on Amazon for "Mac Mini 8GB" turned up the 2.6GHz i5 with 8GB and 1TB Fusion Drive for $679. The entry 1.4GHz i5 with 4GB and 500GB drive is $449. If you can 'stretch' the budget the $679 unit would be really sweet.
Also, some large companies have employee discount agreements worked out with Apple. Students, teachers, and employees of some school districts can also get discounts. Have any kids in school? Neighbor kid? ;-)
Looks like MacSales is working on a 2-disk kit for the current Mac Mini. You may want to contact them and ask for status.
Edits: 02/18/17
I already had checked Best Buy, because it just so happens that I have a unused gift card. However, there are no memory upgrade options, and the hard drive upgrade just bumps you up to the next model. I have also been monitoring the Apple refurbished site for a couple of weeks, and absolutely no Minis. (Which seems rather odd.) I have had good luck in the past in finding my 2011 iMac and an iPad Air--no more than a couple of days before something showed up that I was looking for...
In the meantime, I stopped by a nearby store that sells exclusively used Apple products. They have limited stock, so I would need to wait for something come in. Or, for an extra charge, they could source whatever I want. They offer a 6 month warranty as opposed to the 90 day OWC.
I've seen some decent deals on Craigs List but if you go that route, I would make sure the seller posts or emails you a couple screen shot images from "About this Mac" and "System Report" so you know exactly what you're getting. I would then have him boot it up in front of you and check out bluetooth keyboard/mouse, wifi, etc. Good luck!
P.S. The current line of Mac Mini hasn't been updated in a while.
https://macmini.macrumors.com/
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