I have used for years a Mac mini with Audirvana (before I used Foobar/PC longtime).
I used my large TV as screen.
Most of the time I stream Tidal.
I could plug in Dirac in Audirvana which is great.
I can use my phone and iPad as Audirvana remote.
Perfect.
Well, I had to find the TV remote, launch my TV, choose HDMI, also often my Ipad/Iphone runs out of batterie, most often I had to walk to the MacMini/TV set, I had to use the mouse.
Sometimes, I have to relaunch Audirvana... or even the whole Mac mini...
Then I bought a Node 3 streamer recently and I don't regret it at all, I LOVE IT, even I can not use Dirac anymore.
It is plugged digital into my RME Adi DAC (using EQ).
The best thing being, I can control it from my Macbook (BlueOs) on my knees while browsing or reading ASR...
I don't have to turn my TV on anymore.
It is so convenient for the moment, I am very happy with it.