Mac Mini 2012 2.5Ghz dual-core i5 with 10.13 (not in front of machine to see current release version but think that’s it) with 16GB Memory
**Network Details - Google Fiber with a Zxytel Gigabit Switch
Audio Devices (Specify what device you’re using and its connection type - USB/HDMI/etc.)
USB optical cable connected to Oppo UDP-205
Description Of Issue
Wanting to come back to using Roon and wondering if this machine is enough to be a Roon Core device. Or do I need to look at a latter machine? My music library is on a QNAP TS-251-B-4G.
Ok thanks. What about using the QNAP TS-251B as a Roon device? I’m still trying to gather details but it looks like I can add a SSD to the QNAP and make it an all-in-one server. My setup also has a BlueSound Node 2i to act as an endpoint. Thanks for the feedback.
Check the datasheet … does the processor meet Roon’s minimum recommended specification for CPU?
If not the Dylan’s comment still stands, however for a modest library and little DSP it most likely will be fine.
Just to clarify, do you mean as a Roon Core or just for music storage here?
As mentioned above, looking at the specs for this machine, it does fall short of our recommendations. The Celeron processor in particular is below our standard recommendations for what CPU to use on your Roon Core machine.
2012 macmini is ivy bridge and should just meet the bare minimum specs but it might not be fitted with an ssd which could be done as an upgrade DIY or many Mac repair (not apple) shops
How big is your library, how many zones will you stream to and will you be doing any dsp related options…this will determine what you need processing wise.
My collection of music is mostly (95%) AIFF rips from CD and fits in at about 700GB of tunes. The Mac Mini currently has a 500GB HDD and I’m ok with cracking it open to put in an SSD drive. But others have said it falls short of the specs.
My apologies, I misunderstood the original report and thought you were wanting to switch from the Mac Mini to the QNAP. The QNAP definitely falls below our specifications, but the Mac Mini should meet them with the exception of an SSD for your Roon database. Things will likely be slower without an SSD, but if you could upgrade that, it’s definitely worth giving it a try.
For that size library you should be fine…again as long as you don’t need upsampling to high dsd rates or other cpu intensive dsp operations like convolution etc. you only nee$ a small ssd unless you want to have it for additional storage. Most of my mini’s use 120gb drives and worst case can use a roon bridge down the road when you needs expand.