I've just retired my Squeezebox in favour of yet another Mac' Mini. This feeds my 568.2 via optical - the Mini 'can' output 24-bit stereo and 44.1-192 kHz (if you can get hold of the higher rate source material to output of course...).

I've been experimenting with playback of audio from the Mini's own HD, from a NAS and over wireless from another Mac'. It all sounds pretty much the same to me - that is pretty damn good.

The benefit of the Mini over a Squeezbox IMHO is a much more user friendly interface and display - a 50" HD and Crystalio in my case as opposed to the small vacuum fluorescent on the SB!

This excercise has raised a philosophical question however. I have c. 1,200 CDs and do I really want to spend the time converting them to whatever file format when I could be listening to them and having a life.

I kinda enjoy perusing my shelves of discs, looking at the CD artwork and the notes before choosing something that fits my listening mood. Simply grabbing the first disc that comes to hand is as good a 'random' play mode as one can get too!

In all honesty my Squeezebox had an enforced retirement as I found myself not really listening to the music but grazing through tracks as I do with Sky channels. Choosing, opening and putting a disc in the 598's drive is a much more considered act.

Why a Mac' Mini? It's not really used for music per se other than background - its prime use is viewing HD still images and home video - all with accompanying audio via Meridian DSP!!

System 1:
568.2MM, G98DH, Denon DVD-A1XV, Sony CDP-228ES, UHD722, D5KC, D5500.2K, DSP33, Sony UDP-800, AppleTV 4K, Sony KE85XH9096BU

System 2:
562V, M20, AppleTV

System 3
501, 555, AppleTV, Acoustic Energy AE1