Question About Apple Mac Mini (late 2014) Roon Server

[Jim_F]

I have an Apple Mac Mini (late 2014) that I am adding a SSD literally on top of the HDD. I’m adding a Samsung 980 1TB NVMe SSD M.2 and making it the boot drive. This computer is a backup Roon server to my Nucleus, but also does duty to reboot the Nucleus and/or reconnect Tidal and Qobuz using Splashtop when I’m away from home.

So, my question…after installing the new SSD, can I simply drag the Roon app from one drive to the other or will I need to delete and reinstall Roon? I’m running Early Access Build 1354.

You can probably tell, I know next to nothing about Mac computers.

Thanks.

[SandsOfArrakis (The Spice Must Flow)]

I have never tried multibooting with my Mac’s since I have never needed to.

But have a look here

Use more than one version of macOS on a Mac

Good luck.

[Jim_F]

Thanks. I’ve already done the hard part. That was making a bootable install disk with Monterey.
It’s hard to find a MacOS version that you’re already using. Installing the SSD will be an easy 5 minute task. Had I opted to replace the HDD, that would have been a nightmare.

I hope I can simply slid some of my apps from one drive to the other. If not, I will need to reinstall Roon 2.0, Amphetamine, Splashtop, Google Chrome, Tidal, and Qobuz. Not a big deal.

I’m moving this to Tinkering. No need to bother Roon Support at this point.

Create a Bootable USB Drive with Multiple macOS Installers ! Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, etc.

[Jim_F]

Here’s what I think I will do. After getting the new SSD installed, I’ll do a clean install of Roon 2.0. If I’m able to restore a backup from the HDD, I’ll do that. Otherwise, it doesn’t really matter because I only have 47 local tracks and don’t need them on this Mac Mini backup server. I also don’t need any edits I have done.

[Jim_F]

Installed my new 1TB SSD with no issues. Seems to be working OK and very peppy.

How to add a NVMe SSD to a 2014 Mac mini - Quick and Easy!

[SandsOfArrakis (The Spice Must Flow)]

I have the exact same model Mac mini that you have. It’s rocking my Roon Server like a boss.

[Abrahams_Bogere (Abe)]

How much ram do you have?

[SandsOfArrakis (The Spice Must Flow)]

Me? 8 gb running on Linux Mint.

[Jim_F]

The Mac Mini (late 2014) has 8 GB soldered to the mother board. So, you can’t add RAM.

[SandsOfArrakis (The Spice Must Flow)]

Correct. The 2012 model was the last one where RAM was up gradable.

[Abrahams_Bogere (Abe)]

I think mine is 4gb. I badly need to upgrade.

[Jim_F]

Yes, you need an upgrade.

[SandsOfArrakis (The Spice Must Flow)]

If you have the cheapest version of the 2014 model. Then you’re stuck with 4 gb and a very slow CPU compared to the others. I have the middle model.

The internal 1 tb hard drive holds my music collection. While Linux is running from an USB connected SSD.

[Jim_F]

A great $70 upgrade, so much quicker. I now have a total of $270 in this Mac Mini computer.

Last night I used Apple Music for a couple hours with WIFI Airplay from this Mac Mini downstairs to my RPi4 in listening room upstairs. That’s a very easy way to to use Apple Music and the SQ is very good. If I want better, I have an iPad Mini 6 connected by 3.5mm cable I can use also.

[Jim_F]

I recommend if you’re using a mid or highest version of Mac Mini (late 2014), you do this SSD upgrade.

[SandsOfArrakis (The Spice Must Flow)]

I agree although I’ve went with an external SSD.

[Jim_F]

Now that my Mac Mini is much quicker, I installed the Audirvana 3.5 app. It’s playing from the Mac Mini over UPnP to my RPi4 running RoPieee, Meridian Prime, Denon, and Pioneer HMP-60 speakers. This would be an option if my internet went out. I would just need to switch the Mac Mini from ethernet to WIFI and use my Verizon cellular data to stream from Tidal or Qobuz.