Two RPI/Moode Server Questions

[tourtelot]

Hi all-

Back from an automatic "lifetime ban" decided because (?) by the auto spam filter.  I have no idea but Tim set me right and got me back on. 

Thanks, Tim!

I have my RPI/Moode music server built up and it works so far just like it should.  A 1TB SSD USB  with a lot of music; shows up in the library just like it should.  RPI 4B, Hifi+ HAT and POE HAT.  One cable from my POE switch, good to go.

Two questions, on technical and one philosophical.

Number 1:  The little fan on the POE HAT screams like a Banshee.  Heat sinks in place on the RPI.  Experience on turning the fan off?  Does the RPI just shut down if it gets too hot or does it blow up?  If I keep the fan, I would like to put a resistor in-line with the V+ side of the fan and reduce it's speed by, maybe, half.  Experience (and a resistor value) on this?

Number 2:  I like the idea of this little music server but as it will be installed in the same location as the rest of my stereo rig, I already have a whole house music system using a MBP, wired ethernet and Airfoil server.  If I need to use (or at least can use) the MBP to control the RPI/Moode server, what do I gain from having the RPI server in my rig?  Better sound?  More convenience?  Cool factor?  Or would it be, in my case, a redundant setup and since I haven't seen a way to connect the RPI/Moode server to Airfoil, I would lose my whole house audio (well, without more RPIs and more work).  Why should I employ the, no doubt cool, RPI/Moode server at all?

I can stream Audirvana Studio and because of that,, Qobuz, but not as thoroughly or as easily as I can with what I have running on my MBP.  Both MBP and the RPI are attached to a Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital D to A, the MBP via USB and the RPI/Moode via ADAT fiber.

Thanks for thoughts on the above.

D.