MacMini 2010 upgrade as a media server

[Giuanniello]

I am dealing with a friend who has got an unused 2010 MacMini, I still dunno the specs but, so far, my concern is to upgrade RAM to, say, 8GB and then to upgrade the spinning disk to a SolidStateDrive.

I use a MBAir to play lossless music through a DAC and then to my stereo System but it bothers me to use a laptop and to have a wire to run across the DAC to the shelf so a Mini would do great and no need for a numbers crushing machine, I just need a Mini capable of running Sierra or, even better, HighSierra and a software to play FLAC (LossLess) audio.

I seem to understand RAM is upgradable on the 2010 Minis and also the hard drive upgrade shouldn't be big issue if not the removal of all the screws and connectors till reaching it, does anybody have any experience with which OS can such a Mini run off of?

Any suggested upgrade for such an usage?

Grazie

Giovanni

 

[iAssimilated]

The 2010 Mac mini is supported through macOS High Sierra: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208969

The iFixit guide for hard drive replacement (which shows the memory replacement as well): https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+mini+Mid+2010+Hard+Drive+Replacement/3113

My 2014 mini is headless and I use it as a file server, backup server, and for content caching. So, hopefully someone else can chime in regarding a music server. I have heard Plex being thrown around a lot for media, but have no experience with it: https://www.maketecheasier.com/setup-plex-server-macos/

 

[Giuanniello]

Yes, that's the idea, no keyboard and mice and run it through a iOs device but I won't mind using a mouse, still better than attaching a laptop to the stereo when I feel like to listen to music.

For lossless music there is dedicated software like Vox (free) or Audirvana (payware), iTunes doesn't support FLAC lossless but it does play AAC but not my intention to convert it all to AAC just to use iTunes but we'll figure it out.

Ciao

 

[jmomls]

Mac Mini of that vintage won't output 4k video.
If you don't care about 4k, then let her rip. Would advise a very large TV [65" at least] or you won't be able to read anything on the screen.

 

[Giuanniello]

To stream video I use a NAS even tho I am not streaming anything any longer, my TV is an old Sony so no 4K and I don-t really care, am good with it, I need to stream lossless music to my vintage stereo system (hybrid preamp, tube amp, JBL speakers, DAC etc etc) and even my old 2007 Mini can do it but the software I need to play music needs Sierra or higher that-s why I want to upgrade to a less old one

Grazie

 

[jmomls]

To stream video I use a NAS even tho I am not streaming anything any longer, my TV is an old Sony so no 4K and I don-t really care, am good with it, I need to stream lossless music to my vintage stereo system (hybrid preamp, tube amp, JBL speakers, DAC etc etc) and even my old 2007 Mini can do it but the software I need to play music needs Sierra or higher that-s why I want to upgrade to a less old one

Grazie

EDIT: you can use the Mac mini you have on hand after all, with caveats that probably don’t impact the decision:

It is capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) also, although it does not support the Universal Clipboard, Auto Unlock, and Apple Pay features. Finally, this model is capable of running macOS High Sierra (10.13), and it supports HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), but it does not support hardware accelerated HEVC. It is not compatible with macOS Mojave (10.14) or later versions of the operating system.

 

[dogslobber]

I run the base model with Maverick. I wouldn’t run Yosemite or later with a spinner. Too slow.