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Why Mac Mini Over Slim Systems Products?

Here are my thoughts. Please let me know if they make sense:

1) Using a Mac Mini for a music server is superior to slim systems duet or squeezebox if you are interested in playing high resolution files (I am).

2) Mac Mini and the Transporter both do high resolution, but Mac Mini would likely provide more universal access to things out there on the web.

3) Now with the ability to use the itouch as a remote control, the Mac Mini has just as much remote functionality as the slim systems stuff. You will still need a screen and keyboard for startup though.

4) It is better to use the USB out of the Mac Mini than the optical mini plug (I don't know why this is true, it may not be true, I've just seen it several times).

IF all these statements are true, then I want to go the Mac Mini route. I have a spare monitor and keyboard. Now I would just need to figure out the DAC question. Please advise re the above. Thanks, Peter
peter_s
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,919 posts
 
run Mac Mini via USB cable into your DAC. I am doing just that and the sound is very nice. As a matter of fact it's very smooth and not harsh at all. I am not missing a conventional transport. I rip all the music I care about in AIFF and stuff I am listening to casually in Apple Lossless. Very cool stuff. I am controlling all Mac's functions with my Dell laptop(WiFi) and if I want a super cool remote just for iTunes when I play music, my iPhone does just that(artwork and all info is displayed right on the iPhone). I am very happy with the Mac Mini's sound and convenience can't be beat.
merlocpm
44 posts
 
Unfortunately my CI Audio VDA2 DAC has only coax/optical input. It was very good sounding with the Wadia transport through coax. I am using a glass optical cable, however am using a mini toslink adapter which I think might be compromising the sound. The rest of my system is an Arcam AVR300 hooked up to MA RS6 speakers. I was thinking of getting a HagUSB or BC Thingee to see about converting the USB to coax
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
I think you will find the HagUSB disappointing. The BC thing may be great (haven't heard it), but another thing you could try is the Van den Hul Toslink cable, which comes in a version with a mini toslink connector at one end.
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,919 posts
 
Or just get another DAC. MHDT Havana has USB input.
merlocpm
44 posts
 
I did try contacting the distributor in Canada for Van Den Hul but they will need to order it in. In the meantime, I took out my Sound Professionals glass optical cable and substituted the Belkin optical cable that came with the mini toslink adapter. Better improvement. Actually more musical. There might be synergy between the two versus a different cable. Definitely a better combo now. Less fatiguing on the ears. Strange though. I didn't think the Belkin would be better.

I might try the BC Thingee so I can try my Luminous Audio Allegro Sig. coax cable. Great copper cable
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