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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 19, 2022 19:22:03 GMT -5
I'm irritated enough with Apple that I'm going to sell the Mac mini that I've been using as a Roon host and instead build an Intel NUC that will run Roon's ROCK install. Roon's website has an extensive list of their recommendations as to what works best, so no issues there. My questions are:
NUCs are readily available used. Should I risk a used one or just buy new?
With an eye to future expandability should I exceed Roon's RAM and HDD recommendations, or just get what they recommend?
Should I build the NUC myself or just buy one pre-assembled?
If I do opt to build, should I buy a kit or select the individual components?
Are there any specifics to beware of in NUC building?
Roon's Nucleus products are built in a heat-sinked case so there is no fan. Should I try to get a no-fan product?
Assuming I get the NUC, I understand it can be placed anywhere on the home network. If the NUC is not in the room with the stereo, I'll need a streamer to receive info from the NUC? Yet if I place the NUC in the rack with the DAC, I can bypass needing a streamer by plugging the DAC directly into the NUC?
As I understand it, to set up the NUC, I need a USB mouse, a USB keyboard, a HDMI monitor, and an Ethernet connection? Once set up, I can dispense with all and run the NUC via the home wireless network?
Thanks! Boomzilla
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Post by audiobill on Jun 19, 2022 20:44:37 GMT -5
Boom, check Roon Community for intensive discussion of all these questions….
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 19, 2022 21:25:27 GMT -5
Boom, check Roon Community for intensive discussion of all these questions…. Will do. Thanks! |
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Post by LuisV on Jun 19, 2022 21:29:04 GMT -5
I second what Audiobill said; however, what's the fundamental issue with the Mac Mini or the issue in general?
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 19, 2022 22:40:01 GMT -5
A friend may have found me a workaround…
When I recently set up this mini, I skipped the step of setting up my Apple ID. I did this deliberately because I didn’t want the machine ringing (along with every other darn Apple device in the house) every time my phone rings or I receive a text. I also don’t want this machine to have access to my keychain, my other devices on the network, or my iCloud storage.
But since no Apple ID is on the machine, it won’t allow me to download even free apps or OS updates from the Apple Store. When I try to log onto the Apple Store using my normal ID and password, I get an error message (password or user ID are invalid). Then the phone, TV, laptop, and every other Apple device in the house ding, telling me that a new computer is trying to log on from my location, and giving me a temporary passcode to log in on the mini.
But the mini never offers me an entry form to use the temporary passcode.
My friend suggests creating a second Apple ID just for the mini. I’ll try it, but if that’s not successful, it’s NUC time!
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Post by LuisV on Jun 19, 2022 22:58:46 GMT -5
A second ID can work, but if you prefer to use one ID, log into the Mini and disable the portions of iCloud, iMessage, Facetime, Keychain, Notifications, etc that you don't want to sync, ring, share, etc. Silly question, but you're willing to build Rock on a Nuc, to avoid these iCloud features? Fundamentally nothing is else is wrong?
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Post by LuisV on Jun 19, 2022 23:02:58 GMT -5
The notification on the other devices and a passcode is Apple's method of "two factor" authentication, it helps avoid a user ID from being compromised. You're not getting a prompt on the Mini as you aren't properly logged into it.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jun 19, 2022 23:10:31 GMT -5
The notification on the other devices and a passcode is Apple's method of "two factor" authentication, it helps avoid a user ID from being compromised. You're not getting a prompt on the Mini as you aren't properly logged into it. I agree with configuring the machine with only the features you want and using your normal ID, but If you do setup a second Apple ID, you might consider turning on family sharing so you can download any Apps you might have paid for (if they support family sharing). |
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Post by novisnick on Jun 19, 2022 23:12:39 GMT -5
I too thought that one month long ago. Planned everything out, parts cost and all. Did some figuring and it just wasn’t worth the time money or effort for the return I received. Wiped my Mini and loaded roon. Took some time to have my HHD mapped out but I didn’t have to do it manually. Don’t know what else to say. I’m happy, for now! 😁
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 20, 2022 8:51:17 GMT -5
I could apply my existing account and disable the connections I don’t want shared, but even then, I’m not convinced that the machine wouldn’t be burning clock cycles in the background looking for synch opportunities.
On the other hand, if I set it up with a totally different Apple account and THEN tell it to share nothing, I think it would be more likely to work in its “isolated sandbox.”
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Post by novisnick on Jun 20, 2022 9:08:07 GMT -5
I could apply my existing account and disable the connections I don’t want shared, but even then, I’m not convinced that the machine wouldn’t be burning clock cycles in the background looking for synch opportunities. On the other hand, if I set it up with a totally different Apple account and THEN tell it to share nothing, I think it would be more likely to work in its “isolated sandbox.” It’s been so long ago that I set up my Mini that I had forgotten that I muse a different Apple account. Sorry for that omission Boomzilla😳 |
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Post by housetech on Jun 20, 2022 9:25:31 GMT -5
Boom, the mini-pcs are cheap enough that building is not worth your time or the headaches
I checked NewEgg and there are plenty under $250 that will run ROCK.
Honestly before all that, I'ld just reformat the Mac hard drive, reinstall, create a new account and be done; add a USB HDD if needed.
Also turn off every Apple software not needed you can.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jun 20, 2022 10:37:09 GMT -5
I could apply my existing account and disable the connections I don’t want shared, but even then, I’m not convinced that the machine wouldn’t be burning clock cycles in the background looking for synch opportunities.On the other hand, if I set it up with a totally different Apple account and THEN tell it to share nothing, I think it would be more likely to work in its “isolated sandbox.” Apple devices can be chatty (though probably no more than Microsoft), but If you are worried about what your Mac is doing (and you do worry about a lot 😉), you should get familiar with the macOS ‘Activity Monitor’ utility. You can see what processes are using CPU, disk, network and other resources, and possibly reconfigure to reduce usage. Sometimes I’ll see a process churning away and google what it is, often there are recommendations as to whether its cycles can be lowered or eliminated. I also use the UniFi network utility to see what devices on my network are phoning home (or their girlfriend), your router may have a utility to give similar information. |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on Jun 20, 2022 11:32:05 GMT -5
Just a few comments: Fans vary widely in terms of how loud they are... and how often they run. SSDs are dead silent but SOME spinning HDDs are still rather noisy. I have a 6 tB Seagate Ironwolf HDD in one of my computers that is QUITE noisy (it's a really reliable drive... but it is not quiet). The price on SSDs is still dropping quite rapidly... So pretty big ones aren't that expensive now... but upgrading in the future should be even cheaper... (Also note that most of the wear concerns with SSDs are minimized in a server where files are mostly played and rarely written). Building your own computer can still be somewhat challenging. You DO need to keep track of component compatibility issues... Building your own doesn't save you much and probably just isn't worth the aggravation. SOME processors may still have heat issues in SOME cases... so this is not something you can ignore. I'm irritated enough with Apple that I'm going to sell the Mac mini that I've been using as a Roon host and instead build an Intel NUC that will run Roon's ROCK install. Roon's website has an extensive list of their recommendations as to what works best, so no issues there. My questions are: NUCs are readily available used. Should I risk a used one or just buy new? With an eye to future expandability should I exceed Roon's RAM and HDD recommendations, or just get what they recommend? Should I build the NUC myself or just buy one pre-assembled? If I do opt to build, should I buy a kit or select the individual components? Are there any specifics to beware of in NUC building? Roon's Nucleus products are built in a heat-sinked case so there is no fan. Should I try to get a no-fan product? Assuming I get the NUC, I understand it can be placed anywhere on the home network. If the NUC is not in the room with the stereo, I'll need a streamer to receive info from the NUC? Yet if I place the NUC in the rack with the DAC, I can bypass needing a streamer by plugging the DAC directly into the NUC? As I understand it, to set up the NUC, I need a USB mouse, a USB keyboard, a HDMI monitor, and an Ethernet connection? Once set up, I can dispense with all and run the NUC via the home wireless network? Thanks! Boomzilla |
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on Jun 20, 2022 11:33:17 GMT -5
Excellent suggestion... You should be able to find plenty of specifics there about NUCs that have been tried and are known to work well with Roon... (When you're looking for a specific application there's no reason to reinvent the wheel.) Boom, check Roon Community for intensive discussion of all these questions…. |
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DYohn
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 18,487
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Post by DYohn on Jun 20, 2022 12:21:45 GMT -5
And if you get tired of trying to make DIY and non-optimal solutions work, there are purpose-built devices that will not break the bank,. After years of my own DIY music server solutions, I bit the bullet and bought one and am happy I did.
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Post by 405x5 on Jun 21, 2022 15:37:42 GMT -5
I need a “NUC”?!?!
The only “NUC” I ever knew was the one I took to a restaurant or anywhere else my daughter needed to be pacified LOL 😝!
Some of us called it a Binky but either way if you didn’t have it with you in a place that needs quiet 🤫 it could get pretty scary!
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 21, 2022 16:15:16 GMT -5
Yeah? Well NUC you, buddy! LOL
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Post by 405x5 on Jun 21, 2022 17:22:12 GMT -5
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Post by monkumonku on Jun 21, 2022 17:23:48 GMT -5
Yeah? Well NUC you, buddy! LOL NUC NUC NUC!  |
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