@miner42 - only for set-up as I understand it. You run it ’headless’ and depending on software, you operate it with a wifi remote control, e.g. Audnirvana, a software program designed for Mac computers (but now apparently on the verge of releasing a Windows version), runs on the Mac and you ’talk’ to it, control selections, etc. via a remote app that can be installed on an iPad.
I’m not sure how relevant the Mac Mini is at this point. I’m still researching how I go about building a music server. (Building may be too ambitious a word, i don’t possess any great technical skills). But, apparently, the switching power supply should be changed out to permit a linear supply to be attached-- though there are kits that aren’t terribly expensive for the conversion and there are some modestly priced supplies, a better linear supply can cost a little money.
I still like the idea of something made from computer components rather than an all in one "audiophile" server. The gamers and Linux people seem to know how to source the parts to build pretty robust CPUs. That said, I gather the Mac Mini was a great starting point at one time.
