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Posted

May I ask for some guidance please?

 

I would like to build a Roon server but I’m overwhelmed by some of the tech talk when trying to understand how best to do this. I don’t really want to spend $$$ on something like a Nucleus.

 

I have been in the Apple ecosystem for a very long time so my natural inclination is to base this around a Mac Mini. I bought an Apple SuperDrive a few years back with the intention of ripping my CD collection.

 

Could someone guide me through the process?

 

  • What spec’s should I look for in a used Mac Mini?
  • Once I’ve done a factory reset, which iOS should I use?
  • It will be a Headless unit connected to my router so what settings do I need to apply to the system?
  • Recommendations for software to rip the CD’s?
  • Presumably thereafter I simply install ROON ROCK?

 

Appreciate all the advice and assistance 

 

 

  • Like 1
Posted
3 minutes ago, fffastfaz said:
  • What spec’s should I look for in a used Mac Mini?
  • Once I’ve done a factory reset, which iOS should I use?
  • It will be a Headless unit connected to my router so what settings do I need to apply to the system?
  • Recommendations for software to rip the CD’s?
  • Presumably thereafter I simply install ROON ROCK?

1. How much dsp or similar will you be using? How many endpoints will you need to drive? This will be the main decision in to what hardware you need. I’d wager that a Mac mini from 2015 on will be just fine.

2. Latest and greatest software that the hardware will support. Doesn’t matter what really.

3. I’d set it up with Remote Desktop support so you can vnc into it to make changes

4. Xld for ripping cds. 
5. just install Roon. Rock is for intel nuc or nucleus devices. 
 

if you need further help, msg me. I can probably come in and config it all for you over zoom

  • Love 1
Posted (edited)
19 minutes ago, BugPowderDust said:

1. How much dsp or similar will you be using? How many endpoints will you need to drive? This will be the main decision in to what hardware you need. I’d wager that a Mac mini from 2015 on will be just fine.

2. Latest and greatest software that the hardware will support. Doesn’t matter what really.

3. I’d set it up with Remote Desktop support so you can vnc into it to make changes

4. Xld for ripping cds. 
5. just install Roon. Rock is for intel nuc or nucleus devices. 
 

if you need further help, msg me. I can probably come in and config it all for you over zoom

 Thank you very much!!

 

1. Sorry I’m not familiar with the term dsp or similar? My initial intended use is for offlining my CD collection via Roon Arc but I would like to eventually add this to a 2 channel system and have this form the basis for my Roon server.

 

Thank you for your generous offer of config assistance!

Edited by fffastfaz
Spelling
Posted

If that’s the case you’re not doing convolution or extreme upsampling so any Mac Mini of a recent generation would do.
 

Personally, I would get my hands on a used M1 Mac mini which should set you back about $600-$700 on the secondhand market. This is the current generation of chip types and will run the latest OS variants. 
 

there are two on the cashconverters website now for $625 and $699. Though I’m sure you can find them easily enough on gumtree or similar. Brand new will set you back $999.

Posted
5 hours ago, BugPowderDust said:

If that’s the case you’re not doing convolution or extreme upsampling so any Mac Mini of a recent generation would do.
 

Personally, I would get my hands on a used M1 Mac mini which should set you back about $600-$700 on the secondhand market. This is the current generation of chip types and will run the latest OS variants. 
 

there are two on the cashconverters website now for $625 and $699. Though I’m sure you can find them easily enough on gumtree or similar. Brand new will set you back $999.

Thanks Bug!

 

Is a thumb drive good enough for a backup or would you go a stand alone ssd?

Posted
1 hour ago, Snoopy8 said:

Why not get this? 

 

Cheers snoopy8 but my preference is for a Mac mini 

Posted
19 minutes ago, fffastfaz said:

Thanks Bug!

 

Is a thumb drive good enough for a backup or would you go a stand alone ssd?

Well, it depends on how much you put onto the Mac Mini. Are you going to be storing music on it too, or using it as a media server (like Plex)?  If not, I'd struggle to justify wanting to back it up.

 

If you use Roon, you can backup your Roon config and database using Dropbox or pointing it to a network share or a NAS on your network. https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/backup#How_do_Roon_backups_work

Posted (edited)
10 minutes ago, BugPowderDust said:

Well, it depends on how much you put onto the Mac Mini. Are you going to be storing music on it too, or using it as a media server (like Plex)?  If not, I'd struggle to justify wanting to back it up.

 

If you use Roon, you can backup your Roon config and database using Dropbox or pointing it to a network share or a NAS on your network. https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/backup#How_do_Roon_backups_work

Yes, I will use it to store my music on. I have maybe 250 cd’s

 

I don’t have a network/NAS Drive

Edited by fffastfaz
Posted

OK, then get a USB connected external drive for backup and I'd use both Time Machine to back it up (for media and the operating system) and backing up Roon (but don't backup Roon with Time Machine... see last link I posted for why).

Posted
4 hours ago, BugPowderDust said:

OK, then get a USB connected external drive for backup and I'd use both Time Machine to back it up (for media and the operating system) and backing up Roon (but don't backup Roon with Time Machine... see last link I posted for why).

👍👍👍

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