Mac mini as music server

Hi all. Have heard good things about using mac mini as music server. have few questions want to ask sifu here

1) which program is the best in term of sound quality? (amarra, fidelia, bitperfect etc)
2) have seen people using ipad or iphone as a remote to control the mac mini. how do they setup this connection? need to buy any app? does the above mentioned programs offer this kind of remote contorl?
3) how is the sound as compared to dedicated music server like the bryston bdp or naim uniti?

thank you

Lam,

What music files do u have? Flac, ALAC, WAV or MP3? If Flac, I would go with Amari. If the rest, go with Bitperfect.

For the Remote, just go to Apple app store and search for Apple Remote App... Its free. But this remote can only control iTunes.

The Macmini sound quite decent especially if you connect to a good DAC.... Can be comparable to media player...

if i open itune, will the amarra or bitperfect activated automatically? no point using itune only. the sound effect not so good

Bitperfect can be turned on and off while running iTunes.

Amarra is a completely different software that used the iTunes library.

I use 'decibel', which is really good and affordable. And i use a DAC, but using M2Tech spdif to usb interface, which unfortunately is no longer supported by mac since the last upgrade called Mavericks. 

So please be careful when you purchase a dac or spdif/dac combo for computer music... you have to make sure the new mac Mavericks supports it. I have gone back to my old Dell laptop which has Jrivers and can use my M2tech without buying any new gear. 

Bal

Amarra actually uses your iTunes library. It bypasses the inherent choke in iTunes that automatically downgrade your output 44.1kHz.

When you open Amarra, it will automatically open iTunes as well. Thereafter, you can control your music via iTunes or Amarra. It makes no difference, they will be mirror of each other.  With Amarra, you can output your Hi-Rez music to your DAC.

Like Bal mentioned, please make sure your DAC  supports OS 10.9