We recently posted about what to do with an "aged" (aka outdated) 1st generation Apple TV, mentioning a whole world of uses opens up once you hack it. Although the setup above from Swedish A/V enthusiast site, Minhembio, utilizes a Mac Mini, this compact digital jukebox could work equally well with either Apple TV or Mini...
That's a lot of tech squeezed into a small space, all fitting snugly in and on top of two (there's a very narrow third middle shelf we missed on first glance) shelf bookshelf in fact: a 2010 Mac Mini, small Dell 1704 17" LCD display, Pro-ject USB Box, Logitech Squeezebox Touch to control Web-radio, a Marantz KI Pearl Lite, and a newly upgraded pair of Argon1 speakers.
Being the optimizers we are, we think this already cool setup could be improved with a few adjustments/additions to optimize utility and reduce the amount of visible tech:
- Wall mount the 17" LCD display to reduce clutter on top of the shelf.
- In fact, we'd consider getting rid of the bookshelf and move over to a floating shelf solution, running cables and wires either into the wall or with a false back. Even a bookshelf can be wall mounted as a floating solution.
- Exchange out the wired mouse for a wireless version, or simply control the whole setup using an iPad with the Touchpad app.
- Wall or shelf mount the Mac Mini/Apple TV.
[via Minhembio]
Tina Wilson's Striking Style 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Hose Jockey Wall Mount
20 Scrumptious Brunch Recipes 
Magic One-Ingredient Ice Cream 5 Ways: Peanut Butter, Nutella, and More
Comments (3)
I really like the setup, although I agree that it could look better. Still, I didn't like the post, it doesn't explain what was achieved and how. I must asume Minhembio used a DAC to get the the best sound possible to the Marantz amplifier, and explain the ups and downs of it... otherwise it might just look like a computer with some giants speakers connected to it.
What kind of clock is that? It looks like a iPhone/iTouch dock setup, but I haven't seen one like that
Amy S.
That's the Squeezebox Touch. Something that I would consider unnecessary in this setup. The Mac Mini should be able to stream any radio that the Squeezebox can.