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Post by AudioHTIT on Mar 30, 2015 21:30:42 GMT -5
... Also, iTunes will play AIFF files if you want to go that route. I thought that iTunes will convert FLAC upon import, but I don't have any files onhand to see if I'm remembering that correctly. ... You must manually convert FLAC to ALAC on the Mac for iTunes, but it's not hard. I buy most of my hi-rez on HDTracks and they have ALAC as a download choice so no conversion required. Edit: To convert FLAC to ALAC I use XLD for OS X. |
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Post by mrbstock on May 7, 2015 20:35:58 GMT -5
I have some questions for Mac Mini owners. Is the base 4 GB model good enough for a music server? I know the 500 GB is more than enough space for my library but not sure about the memory. Are AIFF and ALAC files the same? I'm going to load BitPerfect to avoid the system messing with the music. Any Mac Mini advice in this area would be appreciated. This is a great thread.
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ttocs
Global Moderator 
I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with. (Elwood P Dowd)
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Post by ttocs on May 7, 2015 21:54:39 GMT -5
FWIW
A couple months ago I bought a Mac Mini with 8gig ram for usage as a music server only. I disabled quite a few built-in apps and services to free up resources, For ripping, an external optical drive is connected via USB3. I use the hdmi out to tv, wired keyboard and mouse (Bluetooth is turned off), and all music files are stored on NAS (network attached storage) external network drive - no music is stored on the Mini.
I tested iTunes vs JRiver and concluded I prefer JRiver for both audio quality and usability. Further, I tested hdmi vs optical output for music and for my system I prefer optical. I haven't gotten into hi-res music because I've been content with cd quality so far. I'm moving slow on this because, frankly, I'm enjoying the music server experience and the quality of the sound so much that I'm really not interested in exploring higher res yet. I control JRiver with an app for my Android tablet called Gizmo, it's simple and free.
The next thing I want to check out is iRule for controlling the system. It's an app for phones and tablets to act as customized remotes and can be setup with very simple looking controls, or very complex sets of controls to turn-on, turn-off, change inputs, etc for virtually any device. iRule can control over IP - wired or wireless on your network, serial port, or IR - infrared emitters. They sell the hardware needed for these different types of communication. So it's $100 for the software for the version that does it all, and about $100 or so for the box that translates over the network to the devices, plus cables you might need.
Hope this info helps. |
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Post by novisnick on May 7, 2015 22:10:45 GMT -5
Hi!
I've been using a Mac Mini for some time now, USB from a 3T external Hard Drive where all my CDs have been ripped toAIFF files. I did max out the ram in my Mini and all is well. Control comes by way of Jpad, IPad control app. Works great. Sometimes when it's non responsive I have to make sure it's connected to the correct WiFi in the household, I'm running 2.4 MHz and 5.2 or whatever they are,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,,
Very happy with the sound,,,,and definitely USB over HDMI preference in SQ.
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Post by mrbstock on May 9, 2015 13:32:04 GMT -5
tocs & novisnick,
Thanks for the responses! My planned path is DC-1--Mac Mini--Airport Express--iPad a la Paul McGowan's article about building a music server. I do plan to do some heavy disabling to the Mac Mini. I'm getting from your responses to pick at LEAST 8MB RAM. I'm going to start by using iTunes then evolve to JRiver in the future. Just taking baby steps right now. Help me wrap my head around the NAS. Other than backup, why would I need an external hard drive? Is there a sonic benefit installing all the music on this drive? My man cave upstairs gets poor wi-fi reception but the airport express should do fine. The plan is to take the Mini downstairs and hook it up to load music then bring it back upstairs. I'm with you guys in that the CDs will be all ripped and HD tracks will be explored at a later date.
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Post by bluemeanies on May 9, 2015 16:21:37 GMT -5
Thank you very much for this information. I am not a computer whiz but I like puzzles and this info will be a great help as I have been thinking of adding a music server to my signature. Thanks again. |
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Post by Priapulus on May 9, 2015 19:58:01 GMT -5
For music, I use an iPad (JRemote) to control JRiver running on my Win7 HTPC (HDMI to XMC-1). It works flawlessly, promptly and I'm very pleased. Highly recommended. I'm also experimenting with FLEX on the ipad to control a FLEX server on my NAS.
Sincerely
Blair
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ttocs
Global Moderator
I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with. (Elwood P Dowd)
Posts: 8,154
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Post by ttocs on May 9, 2015 20:24:23 GMT -5
tocs & novisnick, Thanks for the responses! . . . edit. . . . . Other than backup, why would I need an external hard drive? Is there a sonic benefit installing all the music on this drive? I prefer to use the external hard drive (NAS) for all of my storage. I don't know of any sonic benefit. I only use the Mac Mini's internal drive for operation and apps. The NAS I have has a usb port for attaching an extra external hard drive (just a regular usb hard drive) purely for backup of the NAS, it's not used for anything else. So I end up with a Mac Mini --> network --> NAS --> ++ usb hard drive, this is the operational chain for files. Output is Mac Mini output via hdmi for video playback & optical for 2 channel audio --> XMC-1 --> rest of audio and video components. |
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Post by novisnick on May 9, 2015 20:33:57 GMT -5
tocs & novisnick, Thanks for the responses! . . . edit. . . . . Other than backup, why would I need an external hard drive? Is there a sonic benefit installing all the music on this drive? I prefer to use the external hard drive (NAS) for all of my storage. I don't know of any sonic benefit. I only use the Mac Mini's internal drive for operation and apps. The NAS I have has a usb port for attaching an extra external hard drive (just a regular usb hard drive) purely for backup of the NAS, it's not used for anything else. So I end up with a Mac Mini --> network --> NAS --> ++ usb hard drive, this is the operational chain for files. Output is Mac Mini output via hdmi for video playback & optical for 2 channel audio --> XMC-1 --> rest of audio and video components.
one small note to add though. I have two identically formatted HD full of the same music. If one is corrupted or fails I have a backup eager and ready to play,!!!,,,,,,,,,,," put me in coach ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 
Pare ya taking notes,,,,,he,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, .
And this his is how I control it all with JRemote |
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Post by AudioHTIT on May 9, 2015 21:44:21 GMT -5
Are AIFF and ALAC files the same? They are both lossless formats so both should yield the same output, however ALAC is compressed so the files take up much less space. |
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Post by mrbstock on May 11, 2015 19:47:03 GMT -5
Thanks for all the help and advice everyone! It is greatly appreciated.
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Post by mrbstock on May 29, 2015 18:08:21 GMT -5
Well of course it couldn't be that easy. I can't get sound to the speakers. The Mac gives me a the selection has no output controls message. The dc1 was giving me a sample rate but nothing. The usb is connecting the Mac and dc1. Optical is connected from dc1 to the umc. Even though I select speaker the computer still uses the internal speakers. Where did I screw up?
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Post by novisnick on May 29, 2015 18:56:25 GMT -5
Well of course it couldn't be that easy. I can't get sound to the speakers. The Mac gives me a the selection has no output controls message. The dc1 was giving me a sample rate but nothing. The usb is connecting the Mac and dc1. Optical is connected from dc1 to the umc. Even though I select speaker the computer still uses the internal speakers. Where did I screw up? From the DC-1 to your UMC the connection should be balanced or RCA out not optical. not sure if the UMC has balanced in. there is no optical out on the DC-1 only in.,,,,,,,Opppsssss on ya.  |
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Post by novisnick on May 29, 2015 18:57:55 GMT -5
And then switch the Mac Mini to output through the USB and not use the internal sound.
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Post by mrbstock on May 31, 2015 19:55:59 GMT -5
Ok Novi, I figure it was EBKCAK. Listened to you and BOOM, sound. Played with it last night. Real nice. Today I go up to the cave, nothing.  I have HDMI from the Mac to the EMC so I tapped the power button to wake it up. Entered my password, made sure the sound was set to Speakers - USB, turned on BitPerfect. Went to the ipad, nothing. Tried iTunes using the keyboard directly into the computer, nothing. So, how do normal people use this on a daily basis? |
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Post by novisnick on May 31, 2015 20:07:54 GMT -5
Ok Novi, I figure it was EBKCAK. Listened to you and BOOM, sound. Played with it last night. Real nice. Today I go up to the cave, nothing. I have HDMI from the Mac to the EMC so I tapped the power button to wake it up. Entered my password, made sure the sound was set to Speakers - USB, turned on BitPerfect. Went to the ipad, nothing. Tried iTunes using the keyboard directly into the computer, nothing. So, how do normal people use this on a daily basis? Quick question, this has happened to me more times then ill admit nut, does your router have two bands? Mine does and if my iPad and Mini arent on the some band they don't and can't communicate!!! The first time drove me out of my mind, now its the first thing i check, if there is no response,after waking my Mini. Give it a shot. |
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Post by mrbstock on Jun 1, 2015 11:56:26 GMT -5
My router does have 2 bands, but I have an Apple Airport Express connected to the Mac so when I go to the cave I switch the iPad from the router to the express. What I'm going to do tonight is restart the whole thing. Novi, is there any way to use the Remote SW to control other functions besides iTunes? I'd like to wake the Mac up via the iPad as well. Thanks for the help!
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Post by mrbstock on Jun 2, 2015 12:21:13 GMT -5
Ok, so what I found was the Mac & DC1 were not communicating. Switched out the USB. Nothing. Totally shut down the MAC. Rebooted, the sound came out of the internal speakers. Changed the sound to Speakers-----USB. Still coming out internally. Did a soft reboot and finally the sound came out of the speakers. Jeez I hope this stabilizes sometime soon!
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Post by Loop 7 on Jun 8, 2015 13:32:25 GMT -5
I have some questions for Mac Mini owners. Is the base 4 GB model good enough for a music server? I know the 500 GB is more than enough space for my library but not sure about the memory. Are AIFF and ALAC files the same? I'm going to load BitPerfect to avoid the system messing with the music. Any Mac Mini advice in this area would be appreciated. This is a great thread. 4GB is plenty if it's a dedicated music server. |
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I have HDMI from the Mac to the EMC so I tapped the power button to wake it up. Entered my password, made sure the sound was set to Speakers - USB, turned on BitPerfect. Went to the ipad, nothing. Tried iTunes using the keyboard directly into the computer, nothing. So, how do normal people use this on a daily basis?
