As Apples stuff is proprietary, I was wondering if any of the mini parts would be replaceable. Also, was curious why the older minis of 2009 - 2011 or so, are more desirable than he newer models.
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Another reason that the new minis (2014 to date) should be avoided is their inability to be upgraded. IF one of the newer versions is purchased it must be purchased with 16G of RAM:
[url]https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Xdi1YLbX3ugbjrMD.medium/url]
Since the RAM is now soldered to the board buy the upgrade. The upside of the soldered in RAM is the shorter signal path and fewer contacts to oxidize. I have read that the soldered in RAM is one of the reasons for the new Mini's great video performance. By extension this may mean less jitter in the audio interface. The HDD can be accessed and replaced with a SSD if you want.
One of the cool things about the new ones is the fan redesign. The fan now runs in a thick silicon oil bearing with no metal to metal contact. The already quiet fan is now even quieter and vibration free.
[/quote]I have had a few emails from people asking me if they should "upgrade" their 2012 minis to the newer versions.
The answer is a resounding
NO!Think about it. Are you going to use it for audio? It is MNSHO that the 2012 is superior in almost every way. First, quad core I7 processors are not available. This is the biggie. Another thing is that we do not know what the soecs for the RAM installed by Apple. Is it the lowest latency RAM available? Probably not.
Here is a quote from EveryMac.com : [url]https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/mac-mini-aluminum-unibody-faq/mac-mini-aluminum-late-2014-performance-comparison.html/url]
"Obviously, whether or not the "Late 2014" Mac mini line provides a mediocre speed boost or a significant speed drop depends on whether or not you use apps that can take advantage of the Quad Core processors in the "Late 2012" line -- like high-end video editing applications -- but it is clear that the overall performance of the "Late 2014" line is underwhelming."
That pretty much says in all in a paragraph. I have an 8G RAM 2014 mini that I use in my office because it is quiet. Fan noise from PC's make me sleepy. It does not hold a candle to my I7 Quad Core 2012 in the context of SQ, nor would I expect it to do so.
Think about all of the aftermarket goodies made for the 2012 models. Uptone makes a great fan controller mpodulke that goes from PCM control to analog. Makes the fan a non-issue.
As audiophools we all seem to be like Dory, the clown fish. Something shiny and we begin to question our current systems. I learned my lesson back in the early 70's when I traded my tube gear in for "new and improved, vanishingly low distortion" SS gear. Damn you, Julian Hirsch!
AudioNervosa at its best/worst.