Mac / PC as multichannel endpoint or DSP from multiple audio inputs?

[jeffme]

Hi - apologies if this is covered elsewhere, but I couldn't find it / didn't know how to phrase a search to find it.

Is there any straightforward way (not necessarily easy) to {a} use a single Mac/PC as multiple streaming endpoints (e.g. packing 4-8 Wiims into a Mac Mini) or to {b} use a single Mac/PC to handle DSP for multiple (say 16 or more) audio input channels (e.g. connecting 8 Wiims/Sonos Ports) to a single Mac/PC?

I'm trying to DIY design a high-quality multi-room streaming system that will include at least 1 non-AVR room with multiple speakers (4-6 architectural w/1-2 subs). The flow I have in mind is something like:

- Internet/local file streaming <ETHernet> Mac Mini for {a} streaming endpoints + DSP <USB> DAC <well-known audio connections> Multichannel Amp <w.k.a.c.> Speakers / Speaker Array
OR
- Internet/local file streaming <EHT> N streaming devices (e.g. Wiim Pro < {b} OPTICAL TO WHAT?!?!?> Mac Mini for DSP .... same as above

Thanks in advance for your help / patience!

 

[mppix]

Mac supports natively AVB. You can use motu/presonus hardware (and you likely need a dedicated switvh).
This is studio grade stuff that works very well (guaranteed performance) once set up

 

[dualazmak]

My DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active audio project would be of your reference, I assume.
You can find the latest system setup as of August 3, 2023 here post #774 on my project thread.

Also, Please find here (on the project thread) and here (remote independent thread post) the Hyperlink Index of the project thread and some of my related posts in remote threads.

 

[Snoopy]

I'm not sure if I get your question correctly but you want to look at "roon" and Raspberry pi's as endpoints or Wim Minis etc

 

[voodooless]

CamilaDSP should be up to the task.