Finally!!

I got it today and will spend the better part of the weekend getting it set up, as well as getting 4 iPads, an iPhone, and a new ThinkPad X1 Carbon all connected and synced.

I am going to attempt to hit the Apple store in Lakeside tomorrow to pick up an iPad Pro 12.9”, as it will be the main means of operating the mini, since its main purpose will be as a media player and streamer for TIDAL and live concert streaming into the audio rig.

I plan on running Roon on the mini, and will send the audio stream out to my DAC via USB-A (for TIDAL) and will use the HDMI out to the Anthem Pre-pro (for video).

I will use the iPad to control the computer when I am listening to audio (2-channel), which will keep me from having to perform the following process every time I want to stream music from the Mac (which I currently have to do with my MacMini 2010):

—use Control4 interface to select “video source” (4K disc player, MacMini, cable box, Apple 4K), which then triggers the Anthem pre-pro to turn on, thus triggering the projector to turn on, thus triggering the screen to drop down. Another trigger kicks the McIntosh audio system preamp into “theater bypass” mode, thus relegating all audio and video functions to and through the Anthem pre-pro.

—after opening the music player on the MacMini (Audirvana or Amarra), I then change the audio output in the Midi on the Mac from the Anthem (which it defaults to when the triggers are actuated), to my McIntosh D1100 DAC (I want to listen to 24bit/96k resolution through the better DAC in the 2-channel rig).

—now I use the Control4 interface (app on iPad) again. I had a button programmed onto my Control4 that allows me to put the Anthem pre-pro in “off/standby” mode (it’s video throughput is still active when this is done), and when I engage this button, the Anthem shuts off, thus triggering the McIntosh audio rig to kick back to 2-channel stereo (out of “theater bypass” mode).

This allows me to still see and control the MacMini on the 10’ screen as I navigate through Audirvana and my drives, while pushing the audio signal to the McIntosh DAC allowing me to listen in pure 2-channel.

This process takes about 5 minutes every time I want to listen to streamed music through the big rig—it is tiresome.

The no-latency screen mirroring using the iPad Pro as a monitor for the new Mini from my audio chair/recliner will negate my having to go through all of the above steps with the giant screen, projector, and Anthem pre-pro.

MacMini M1, 16 GB, 512 SSD

I’ll try to update with my take on its performance..