Building a music server with Ayre DX-5


Need advice building a music server around Ayre DX-5.

Current thoughts. Mac Mini with SSD & 8 MG RAM connected to DX-5 by USB cable. Mac Mini on home network with music on a Drobo FS NAS all connected by Ethernet cable and controlling Mini from listening seat via iPad with WiFi connection.

Anyone done anything similar? Thoughts?
Ag insider logo xs@2xcipherjuris
Sherpa,

My DX-5 is still breaking in, but right out of the box it killed my Ayre C-5xe and bettered my Exemplar Denon 5910, which had bettered everything else I put it up against until the DX-5. It really narrows the gap between vinyl and digital. My vinyl rig is SME 20/2 - Graham Phantom - DV XV-1S - Allnic H-3000 phono stage. With a well-recorded redbook CD, it comes pretty close to the vinyl and with a well-done SACD, it is closer still. While it is very detailed (very low noise floor), it is not at all analytic, but has a warm and realistic tonal balance throughout the range. I'm setting up a Mac Mini with 8GB RAM, SSD and a linear power supply to feed it ripped CDs. I have heard that rig feed the Ayre QB-9 in a system with the Ayre KXR, Ayre MXRs and Wilson Sophia 3s and it was awesome.
What are everyone's thoughts on the Ayre DX-5 using the USB input? How does it compare to older ayre products or other digital sources you have used? Soundstage, tonality, imaging, organic versus analytic? Thanks.
Any links to the "mods" or modders needed to use the USB output of the Touch? A quick google found other people asking about this, but no solutions...
I have been using the DX-5 with a modified Squeezebox Touch. Very nice.

Kal