I have a Mac Studio Ultra / 128 Ram / 2 TB internal / Sonnet Echo Dual NVMe Docks (2) - one JBOD 2TB for Pro Tools sessions and one Raid 0 (4TB) for virtual instruments. I JUST got VEP w the new Kontakt 6 working. I'm using the eLicenser 1120 VEP 7 for now - just to simplify the transition.
Everything's running under Rosetta.
Is it faster? I can't say. Does it work like a dream - absolutely! Does it use much CPU power? hardly any.
On my old dual Mac Pro cheese graters (5.1's maxed) they couldn't even play everything at once without freezing tracks and plugins all the time.
Not to mention that they heated my studio in winter. Now I have to use heat!!!
I live in Canada.
Do the NVMe's get hot? Not at all. The MC Ultra is cool to the touch all day long and dead quiet to these old ears.
I use VEP within the Mac Studio Ultra. I don't think you need a slave unless it makes organization easier. I have one session with maybe twenty five or so Spitfire Audio plugins running hard. On Pro Tools there's a System Usage Meter and it barely moves unless a plugin makes it crash.
I couldn't even use Spitfire's Symphonic Motions on my old Mac Pro's. It would just crash every time.
Since I straightened out Kontakt 6 no crashes.
I'd worry that a Mac mini wouldn't have enough RAM.
I use VEP mostly to be a buffer between nasty Kontakt and Pro Tools. They aren't lovers - to say the least.
You've made a good purchase. I think you'll be very pleased with it!