Help Needed! Audiophile Setup - Apple Music - Remote Control - Music Servers????

[whyrichard]

HELLO WONDERFUL MAC AUDIOPHILES!!!!


I am going to do an upgrade to the digital end of my audio system.... AND I NEED SOME ADVICE AND GUIDANCE! I LOVE THIS MAC COMMUNITY!!!!!

CURRENT DIGITAL AUDIO SETUP:

• Mac mini "music server"
  • This is my main listening area, the DAC running through various hifi equipment to my B&W 903's
  • running Apple Music 1.2.5.7
    • lossless (playing to my DAC through USB)
  • OSX Monterey 12.6.3, late 2014 (seems to not want to update its software much from here I think its too old)
  • Airfoil (to play to 3 airport expresses via airplay and a bluetooth speaker)
  • Remote Control Apple Music Streaming through OSX screen share when on my Mac, and Screens when on my iPhone iPad (I hate that I need to screen share to access Apple Music Streaming but I can't find a better way)

EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE:

• Apple TV 2nd Gen 4K
  • This is hooked up to my TV and used currently only for streaming from Netflix / criterion / etc
• MacBook Pro 2019 Intel
  • Primary work computer...
  • Will upgrade this soon and so this could serve as a "newer" music server if necessary

I love Apple Lossless, however it is A PAIN to play at home retaining lossless and ease of control and accessibility for guests and family. How
MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU ALL:

• What is the best device to hookup to my USB DAC at my HIFI Audio Setup?
  • 2014 Mac mini? (Current setup is likely too old)
  • 2019 MacBook Pro? (Could soon use this laptop as a newer music server?)
  • Apple TV 4K? (I thought that apple tv's couldn't playback lossless through USB or Optical... is that so? Also, I don't want to have to use my Apple TV remote and tv to control my music... can avoid?)
  • AirPort Express? (I understand these old things playback at less than lossless, I only use them for other parts of my house where hifi isn't necessary)
  • New Mac mini? (It would be great not to have to purchase a new computer)
  • iPad through USB? (This would work, but remote control is an issue...)
• My Priorities Are:
  • Sound Quality: Apple Lossless all the way to the max - USB DAC --->> etc etc....
  • Ease of Control: I am hoping that with the new OSX Sonoma and OSX 18 / TV os etc... can have the type of control over a music server at home such as Spotify's....
  • Access to my old iTunes files
    • I have a bunch of old iTunes cd's ripped to lossless, it would be nice to still be able to access these easily... however it seems it causes more conflict in Apple Music these days...
  • Playback to multiple sources
    • I have 3 airport expresses, two apple tv's, and a bluetooth speaker, all of which I successfully play to from my mini server using Airfoil.

THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVICE YOU ALL HAVE! I hope this information and questions were well enough organized... You all rock. Thank you so much for any help!

 

[Fuga]

I make great use of the iOS and iPadOS app Remote. My iMac in a back room runs my Music. I control it with the Remote app on my iPhone and iPad.

 

[weaztek]

That's what I do as well. But I also use a small, Apple remote to control; pause, volume and skip in addition. Since they removed the IR remote receiver I had to buy an aftermarket IR dongle by flirc. Which was a game-changer for my Mac Mini.

 

[whyrichard]

But with my experience, the remote app does not work with Apple Music only my local iTunes library…

 

[Marco Klobas]

Remote app shows and lets you control Apple Music (streaming) content only if already present in a playlist in your library. You can't browse the Apple Music catalogue like you do directly in the Music app on iOS/iPadOS.

Unfortunately, currently the usability of hi-res Apple Music is limited to a MacOS/iOS/iPadOS –> DAC direct connection.

The only viable solution is an iPad (better suited, IMO, due to the bigger screen real estate in comparison to iPhone) connected via a Lightning to USB Adapter (or, I guess, a USB C to USB B cable with recent iPads carrying USB C port) to a USB DAC.

The caveat is that the connection is wired – you have to sit close to your DAC. You can't roam in the house with the iPad.

Maybe a USB wireless TX/RX combo dongle could provide a wireless connection with proper bandwidth for hi-res streaming. I haven't tried it – I don't know if latency is introduced or what. A somehow cumbersome setup that could work, though.

Keep in mind that even with USB wired connections some DACs are picky regarding drained power and need a power source: usually a powered USB hub placed in between the MacOS/iOS/iPadOS –> DAC chain.

Apple TVs are unfortunately excluded because everything is forcefully resampled to 48 kHz.

If only Apple would consider opening to Roon or expanding AirPlay protocol to hi-res...

 

[DaniTheFox]

Given that the Apple TV operates at 24/48 and macOS exhibits difficulties with automatic switching, iOS or iPadOS remains the only viable option.

Furthermore, we exclude AirPlay and are left with a cable solution.

The Apple TB4 cable offers a maximum length of 3 meters. It is advisable to power the iOS or iPadOS device using the TB4 cable. In this case, a TB4 hub can be utilized as an intermediate device to extend the cable’s length to an additional 3 meters. It is important to note that cascading is possible with TB4, but it requires careful consideration.

I have a 2x2 meter TB3 setup in a small room. Currently, I am utilizing a STAX SR-X9000 to listen to music, indicating that I am already “wired.” Therefore, the other cables do not present any inconvenience.

 

[DaniTheFox]

Currently, there is no Remote App available for iOS or iPadOS to control another device with the same operating system. To access Apple Music, a macOS device is required, either through Sidecar or Universal Control.
Therefore, I have been patiently waiting for over two decades for an audiophile-oriented Apple Music solution.
My hopes are now rekindled with the rumored upcoming concept of an Apple TV. I eagerly anticipate the possibility of 24/192 over HDMI.

 

[DaniTheFox]

I have not tested whether the HDMI output from a macOS machine is bit-perfect up to 24/192. However, in my league, HDMI inputs to DACs are quite rare. The HV-Series from T+A could be a potential solution.

 

[gigatoaster]

Have you heard about Roon? It’s not Apple Music but if you have already a library of lossless files, that could be a better alternative. It’s expensive, though.

 

[DaniTheFox]

With Roon, you can exclusively use its application only within your home. However, its use outside of your home, such as during commutes, at the workplace, or on holidays, would be impossible.

As a long-time Apple enthusiast, particularly since the Macintosh era, I would not consider any alternative solutions such as Spotify Connect or Tidal Connect. In fact, I would not even entertain the idea if it required me to compromise my fundamental principles on privacy.

 

[gigatoaster]

With Roon, you can exclusively use its application only within your home. However, its use outside of your home, such as during commutes, at the workplace, or on holidays, would be impossible.

As a long-time Apple enthusiast, particularly since the Macintosh era, I would not consider any alternative solutions such as Spotify Connect or Tidal Connect. In fact, I would not even entertain the idea if it required me to compromise my fundamental principles on privacy.

It’s possible now with Roon Arc. Re privacy, I don’t think there are more or less risks, whether it’s Apple, Spotify, Tidal or Roon.

 

[Regulus67]

I recently purchased a refurbished mac mini M1 for use as my main music server. Never had a mac mini before.
I connected it to my Pioneer VSX-520 with HDMI. Using Audirvāna Origin (not the Studio version) and the remote app on an iPad.