Thanks again BCBC…I already have it set and running…I like how thorough it seems to be…What the hell is Time Machine anyways…
Thank you for your extensive reply! I’m considering the M4 with 32Gb and 512Gb storage to ensure being future-proof and perhaps running some additional tasks too. Maybe even HQPlayer in the (far) future. I have just a few albums in FLAC, so will probably use a USB-C stick for that. Play mostly through Qobuz (or vinyl). My endpoint is a BlueSound Node N132 to a Simaudio Moon i340D3PX bi-wired to Sonus Faber Nova III’s. Off-topic: wondering what the better DAC is, now using the Simaudio’s DAC (so bypassing the Node).
There are many other ROON server solutions but Apple has the benefit of good support/updates and I want to keep it simple. Have an M3 Air for computing.
I use a Synology DS220+ for centralized storage so no need for large pc-storage. The NAS makes backups to AWS and Synology itself and that works great, so no need for TM. PS, the DS220 currently is the ROON server and actually isn’t that bad at all when just 1:1 streaming.
Long story, hopefully people like it
I would go with a base m4 … and upgrade in a couple of years to a M6 if necessary.
If you really want to run HQplayer with demanding filters you will need a M4 Pro or better anyway
I’m not sure where you got that idea but Apple says nothing of the kind. I use Time Machine to back up my Studio Ultra and 4 external drives without any problems. Two of them are HD’s and two are SSD’s, none of which are sold by Apple.
Can you please explain how you do that? …and TM runs it all? Amazing…Apple themselves from 2 different Level 2 techs say it cannot be done.
I’m now using CCC aka Carbon Copy Cloner and you set it up anyway you want to… So now i have it backup once/evening and CCC controls it all.
You don’t have to do anything, in fact the reverse is true. If you want Time Machine to NOT backup an external disk you have to tell it. Otherwise, it will automatically back up every external disk with the exception of the Time Machine backup itself. If in fact you talked to Apple about this, the techs either misunderstood the question or you misunderstood their answers.
Hold on a second, I just had a thought about this. Are the external drives you’re trying to backup formatted for Windows? Time Machine won’t back those up, you’d need to reformat them to a Mac format.
Hi Dave, Nope I always use APFS…in fact when I erase a brand new SSD, it immediately formats after erase…standard procedure with all new drives. But I just got through reading about how you can back up to an external drive…on the Apple web site…why the hell did not one but two Level 2 techs tell me it cannot be done???
I’d rather get NO information then bad information…I simply cannot figure why they take that position when it’s printed on the apple website?
I really appreciate your help!
Now you have me confused. I read through both of the links you provided and both of them are about how to set up an external drive for your Time Machine backups. Neither one says anything about not being able to back up an external drive using Time Machine, just how to setup a drive to backup to. Can you point me to part where you think they are telling you that Time Machine can’t back up an external drive? I can’t find it in either of those links. Time Machine is setup to be automatic. If it can see a drive it will back it up without any changes to the settings unless you specifically tell it not to.
Dave,
Exactly! I’m now agreeing with you saying it seems it Can be done!..However I have my Carbon Copy Cloner that will allow me to backup ANY drive no matter if it’s inside or outside…
Yes, just ordered the M4 with standard 16GB/256GB! Tested HQP today on a M3 MacBook Air over USB to the DAC (ESS 9018K2M) and even with heavy filters and stuff the CPU and RAM were not having a hard time. I probably won’t even use heavy filtering as my DAC prefers PCM so a bit of upscaling is all I’ll need. Perhaps ROON can even do that?
My small (160GB) FLAC library will be put on a 256GB USB-C USB thumb (30 euro’s ).
Thanks all for the recommendations!
PS, which USB-C/A cable can I use to hook the Mini to the DAC over USB? I prefer AQ but their USB-C to USB-B cables only run 1.5 meter and I need >2 meter. AQ also sells DragonFly USB-A to -C adapters (so I could buy 3m USB-A to USB-B); can I use those or is their direction only from A to C (and not C to A)?
I hope my question is asked clearly…
Any standards-compliant USB cable. It’s moving digital data, not fairy dust.
Hey Ferry…I just got my Audioquest USB C to USB B from Amazon and they have 1.5 meter cable……for your DAC right?...I just reread your post…I see you say the 1.5 meter is still too short….there must be another length because they do have longer cables. Just that C to B is not that popular I guess.
I hope you find one that works…
https://www.audioquest.com/products/cinnamon-usb-a-b-digital-audio-cable?variant=44225799028994
3 meter
Alternatively, you could just get this cable or any number of similar cables:
USB C to USB B 3m long.
@LarryMagoo @Wade_Oram Thank you both very much! I have changed the location of the Mac Mini, so it’s now within 1.5m, and bought the AQ Cinnamon UB-C/B cable from Amazon (why are AQ products so cheap there?).
PS, the USB-C/B cables from AQ are only 0.75m or 1.5m; the “normal” USB-A/B cables come in a range of lenghts. Bit old-fashioned though…
Anyway, all good now, thanks for your input!
PS, the Mac has no problem at all with demanding HQP settings (PCM-384 and DSD-256).
Can anyone clue me in to how I load another batch of software? I’m replacing 2 MAC Mini’s, one a 2012 Mini and the other a 2021 M1 MAC mini.
My question is the 2012 mini was used on my Main system in Living Room that had my complete Library stored in. Then I had the M1 Mini in my office for Room Correction and ran a small system in there as well.
I use to have Roon Server on the Main system….about 1TB worth of ripped CD’s. Then on my M1 Mini I was told I needed an additional set up for just my Roon Room correction which I installed Roon Core on.
That brings me to updating both Mac Minis. As it stands atm, both M4’s are installed minus Roon Software so no music either.
So my question is, with no more Roon Core and only Roon Server what should be the correct steps to get everything back up and running….I do have the backup of all my CD’s on an outboard 2TB SSD.
Sorry to be so long winded….Can anyone make a recommended set of steps to install Roon back on both MAC minis which will I hope let me use my iPad for control over my one MAC, like it used to do and then get ARC on my iPhone again.
Thanks,
Larry
You install roon on the one that is supposed to be the server and connect the other as remote.
The roon software will guide you through all that stuff… at least it was pretty self explanatory when i used my M4 mini as roon server and the m1 MacBook as endpoint/remote .
What file in the Roon App is my Music Library? I’ve seen one called RoonBackups…is this where the entire is?