Airplay - Airfoil ($29) can be installed on the Mini. Sonos Connect has no storage and no way to directly connect storage.ĥ. Storage -Mac Mini can store media files on the internal drive or a connected drive and serve it to other devices. Sonos Connect is compatible to only 2 channel - 48khz with a smaller list of Codecs.Ĥ. Formats - the Mac Mini has the ability to play many formats ( excluding some of the High Rez movie formats).

The Sonos Connect has no way to play or rip discs.ģ. You can also add BluRay via an inexpensive USB BluRay Drive. Ripping and playing CDs/DVDs - the 2010 Mac Mini has a 8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW). Winner: Mac Mini (USB alone works with many more DACs)Ģ. The Sonos Connect has analog, optical, and coax. Outputs - the 2010 Mac Mini has several outputs: 4 USB 2.0, optical, analog, HDMI, and FireWire. If you are using it for multiple rooms, it might make sense to go that route, but my suggestion for the one room scenario would be to pick up a used 2010 Mac Mini and add a couple programs to increase your options across the board.īelow is a few features of the Mac Mini and how they compare to the Sonos Connect:ġ.

They apparently don't realize that Airport Express is bit perfect with CD quality (16/44.1) audio.įor those that want to spend more, the Sonos Connect is often brought up as a solution. However, some people have a $350 budget and are bound and determined to spend it. My Sonos vs Airplay article can be found here. My answer to this problem is typically to suggest that they add an Airport Express to the setup (or AppleTV if they also want video) and to AirPlay audio from the iDevice to the Airport Express. I belong to several audio forums and I see some people are using their iPad/iPod Touch or iPhone to feed audio directly into their stereos using the headphone output and are looking for a better way to get music into their stereos.

Airfoil audio streaming alternatives