Apple Mac Pro as a music server?

joeinid

joeinid

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http://www.apple.com/mac-pro/

Would an Apple Mac Pro be overkill as a music server? I am thinking of something as a "final" solution to computer audio and not sure which way to go. I want to use something that will allow me to up-sample PCM to DSD. I'm using an older Mac Mini now and I think I want a bit more horsepower.

Do I go more powerful Mac, Aurender, Lampizator Komputer or ????

I'd appreciate you advice. :scholar:

My Golden Gate is here to stay :D
 
I used a MacBook Pro for a couple of years and it worked great musically as a server, but library management issues for me was a real hassle. Using iTunes with Audirvana was my final solution, but I still had many problems with iTunes duplicates, etc. JRiver, I could never get to work.

I figured the final solution would be the NAS route and went with a Synology NAS using minimserver. I thought the downside would be the setup, but it ended up being no big deal.

I use it with the Lumin in my main system which I think can change PCM to DSD, but I don't do that. And I use it with a Devialet in another room fed by an Aries, that can't do the conversion. But there are solutions that could.

Point being, as long as the music is on a NAS it is easy to get to from anywhere in the house, high quality, and very flexible in terms of what DAC solution you use.

Plus, I got the MacBook Pro out of the room. I just though at the time, streaming would be the future. All my components are wired, but wireless is possible.

Now I use the MacBook to rip CDs and wirelessly add to the NAS library. For backup, I use Amazon Glacier which costs about $5 a month, but restoration can be pricy. The odds of needing a full restoration with a NAS with RAID are pretty low.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
joeinid said:
http://www.apple.com/mac-pro/

Would an Apple Mac Pro be overkill as a music server? I am thinking of something as a "final" solution to computer audio and not sure which way to go. I want to use something that will allow me to up-sample PCM to DSD. I'm using an older Mac Mini now and I think I want a bit more horsepower.

Do I go more powerful Mac, Aurender, Lampizator Komputer or ????

I'd appreciate you advice. :scholar:

My Golden Gate is here to stay :D
Click to expand...

What are the specs on the Mac Mini you have now?

I have a 2012 Mac Mini with 16 GB memory, 256GB SSD Boot drive, and its a Quad Core 2.6 Ghz i7. All music is streamed from a NAS. Whether using Roon , Roon + Dirac, or other software it has more than enough horsepower to server as a music server. I do think an Apple Mac Pro ( and I think they are a wonderful design ) would be overkill as a music server.

Oh and previously I have used it with JRIVER to upsample all content to DSD64...
 
Here is a screenshot of the mini. I do have two 500 GB drives in it and a nas I can use.

attachment.php


baddog said:
What are the specs on the Mac Mini you have now?

I have a 2012 Mac Mini with 16 GB memory, 256GB SSD Boot drive, and its a Quad Core 2.6 Ghz i7. All music is streamed from a NAS. Whether using Roon , Roon + Dirac, or other software it has more than enough horsepower to server as a music server. I do think an Apple Mac Pro ( and I think they are a wonderful design ) would be overkill as a music server.

Oh and previously I have used it with JRIVER to upsample all content to DSD64...
Click to expand...
 

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joeinid said:
http://www.apple.com/mac-pro/

Would an Apple Mac Pro be overkill as a music server? I am thinking of something as a "final" solution to computer audio and not sure which way to go. I want to use something that will allow me to up-sample PCM to DSD. I'm using an older Mac Mini now and I think I want a bit more horsepower.

Do I go more powerful Mac, Aurender, Lampizator Komputer or ????

I'd appreciate you advice. :scholar:

My Golden Gate is here to stay :D
Click to expand...

Hi Joe,

My friend runs a quad core MacBook Pro to his Aesthetix Pandora and he loves it. He listens on batteries sometimes but says there isn't much difference when it's plugged in. The quad core Mac Pro should give you plenty of horsepower to upsample from PCM to DSD in HQPlayer, although it is not an audiophile designed computer like the Komputer or "E" computer. I'm currently reading up on different computer options for myself: Core Audio Technology and Uptone Audio modified Mac Minis, Lampizator Komputer and "E" computer. Not positive that I'll go this route over the music server but I love the flexibility of being able to use any software I want (i.e. JRiver, HQPlayer & Audirvana). From what I've read, HQPlayer is the best way to go with the Lampi GG.

Best,
Ken
 
Thanks Ken. I like HQ Player but it's not pretty. I am thinking Aurender also.
 
joeinid said:
Thanks Ken. I like HQ Player but it's not pretty. I am thinking Aurender also.
Click to expand...

Joe,

I think the Aurenders are terrific music servers, especially the N10. I just wish it had two USB outputs (like the Antipodes DX), the option to upsample from PCM to DSD (needs lots of computer horsepower) and the ability to play up to DSD 256. If they address these points and add Roon software, I may be in!

Ken
 
Joe, in my opinion as I have heard in my own system, the macbook pro with an ssd was just as good as Aurender & Lumin. None were poorer or less of a component to listen too, just one would peak in a certain area or one wouldn't deliver the clarity but the mid range was warmer etc. Back then i had a firwire usb drive but now I run the macbook with these specs. I still won't buy a server because it's not worth the money imo. Aurender over itunes is a no-brainer. Also, these days, I listen to my oPPo 95 almost exclusively & am very content...... ;)

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Really two things to consider here.

1. What software do you want to use to manage your music library and for music playback, and what devices do you need it supported on? Do you need remote control as well?

2.Then it comes the myriad of options using either a Mac ( as you initiated the thread with ) or some sort of streamer such as the ones mentioned above.
 
joeinid said:
http://www.apple.com/mac-pro/

Would an Apple Mac Pro be overkill as a music server? I am thinking of something as a "final" solution to computer audio and not sure which way to go. I want to use something that will allow me to up-sample PCM to DSD. I'm using an older Mac Mini now and I think I want a bit more horsepower.

Do I go more powerful Mac, Aurender, Lampizator Komputer or ????

I'd appreciate you advice. :scholar:

My Golden Gate is here to stay :D
Click to expand...
No Mac. I am a Mac guy, but Mac is limited to DSD128 without a dedicated driver and there is none for Amanero. Mac also does not have an effective process as AO dies in Windows. If you buy an apple, you would best use it running Windows, not OSX, which is a specialized form of Linux. Windows in the most flexible and top quality OS presently.

If you want to upsample to high rate DSD, you need a Server like a CAPS, Komputer, Sound Galleries, etc.

Cheapest is to build your own CAPs but its a PITA to do the software side right.

From what I know TODAY, you best bet would be the Komputer or the more expensive S-Galleries Server. The Komputer can insulate you from the very poor Bughead interface while using it as a GLORIOUS playback engine.
Apparently my beloved HQP has been dethroned as the Top playback engine by the PITA Bughead Emeperor. There is a new sheriff in town.
 
wisnon said:
No Mac. I am a Mac guy, but Mac is limited to DSD128 without a dedicated driver and there is none for Amanero. Mac also does not have an effective process as AO dies in Windows. If you buy an apple, you would best use it running Windows, not OSX, which is a specialized form of Linux. Windows in the most flexible and top quality OS presently.

If you want to upsample to high rate DSD, you need a Server like a CAPS, Komputer, Sound Galleries, etc.

Cheapest is to build your own CAPs but its a PITA to do the software side right.

From what I know TODAY, you best bet would be the Komputer or the more expensive S-Galleries Server. The Komputer can insulate you from the very poor Bughead interface while using it as a GLORIOUS playback engine.
Apparently my beloved HQP has been dethroned as the Top playback engine by the PITA Bughead Emeperor. There is a new sheriff in town.
Click to expand...

Hi Norman,

You can't run HQPlayer on a Mac Mini and play DSD 256? Why not?

Run Windows on an Apple? Sounds absurd to me.

Ken
 
Have you looked at the Melco N1A?
I have a Devialet 200 and using my PC has proved so problematic. I am now keen to take the PC out of the playback chain so I am looking at the Melco product.
 
Womaz,

You can keep using the PC/JRiver, but as a storage/management tool. Then you use a streamer, like the Auralic Aries, hooked up to your Devialet. The Aries will read your music over the network, via UPNP/JRiver, or via regular Windows file sharing (better, actually).
 
Thank you everyone so far. I am getting some great recommendations and not sure exactly what I will pull the trigger on.
 
I would really stay away from the Aries - I own one. Although it works, it has proven troublesome from a software and networking perspective.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
asiufy said:
Womaz,

You can keep using the PC/JRiver, but as a storage/management tool. Then you use a streamer, like the Auralic Aries, hooked up to your Devialet. The Aries will read your music over the network, via UPNP/JRiver, or via regular Windows file sharing (better, actually).
Click to expand...
Hi yes I am aware that i can do that, but I have decided that if I buy a solution to my problem it will also allow me to store my music on the equipment too. I am looking to take the NAS out of my system now too. If the Devialet had worked as per the advertising i would not have needed to do this, but I have had 8 months now with an unstable AIR connection and I have finally lost my patience:rolleyes:
 
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