Oh boy, this is really getting wild. Alright, here you go.
I still use Mac minis. I have three, one for each music room at PS Audio. I also have a Mac mini dedicated to the shows. These are not the Minis Beef is thinking about as modified by Bill. They are off the shelf with SSD and the most RAM possible.
I have personally stripped them of all programs and duties other than their assigned task. That whole activity takes some time and fiddling.
I make sure their WIFI is disabled and they connect only via ethernet. I make sure to use the best sounding USB cables between the Mini and the DAC. Those vary, depending on which of the systems they are used in (for best synergy in systems).
In Music Room One I am still using the Curious Cable. I make sure the Mini is plugged into a Power Plant on its own outlet (that matters a lot).
Each Mini has both a reference library installed and a Qobuz account. I use exclusively Audirvana set up the way I like. DSD is always enabled.
How these perform next to, say an Aurender, is quite close. The Aurender has a bit of an edge but not enough for me to invest in them.
The Minis, as configured, are quite respectable sounding and do the job.
They will all be retired when Octave is ready.