Larry Borden

One additional question: I am aware that when using a computer directly driving a DAC, it is best for the computer to do as few other things as possible. Is this also true when using the computer in conjunction with a microRendu? So what I'm really asking is, would there be any significant benefit from replacing the Mac mini with a "dedicated" music computer such as the Sonic transporter? Larry

Thank you Barrows. I will order the microRendu today, and hold off on a NAS. "There are so many different ways to use the µRendu (DLNA, NAA, ROON endpoint, shared drive over Ethernet, etc) that it is hard to know what every configuration is capable of." I like Roon, and want to keep using it, so if my rudimentary understanding is correct, I will use the microRendu as a ROON endpoint. Is that correct? Thanks again! Larry

Thank you. I am however most curious about my questions 1-3. As for the NAS: The Mac Mini is not my main commuter; I currently use it solely for music. So if I added a microRendu, the Mac Mini could remain committed to music. In light of that, is there any advantage to a NAS over the Mac mini + USB hard drive? Note that I do not need access to my music in other rooms. Thanks - Larry

First time poster, so please forgive me if my questions (which are very basic) have already been answered in this rather lengthy thread. I am currently using a Mac Mini with Power Supply from Core Audio Technology, running Roon, feeding (via USB) an EMM Labs DAC2x. I do not currently have a NAS; my backup is a USB external hard drive, with automatic backup via Apple's Time machine. Based on what I've read, it is my belief (and hope) that I can improve the sound by switching to a microRendu. My questions are as follows: 1. Is it reasonable to expect that the addition of a microRendu will improve the sound? 2. Assuming the answer to question 1 is in the affirmative, can I use the Mac mini (which is connected to my Network) to run Roon? 3. Would if be beneficial (sonically speaking) to replace the Mac mini with a Sonic transporter? Or better yet I suppose, a Sonic transporter AP? 4. Is there any advantage to my getting a NAS? If so, is the Synology DS216+ II a reasonable choice? Thank in advance for your assistance and again, my apologies for asking questions that have probably been discussed ad nauseum. Regards, Larry