Awesome. The problem with Mac Minis and DIY servers is it is very hard to limit electrical noise. In my experience something bleeds somewhere. For instance, I read the Computer Audiophile guy is experimenting with using batteries for his server, as this eliminates any EMI generated by the power supply and totally avoids the issue of ground loops. Ground loops are awful and very hard to troubleshoot.
Android is not officially compatible with USB audio yet, but some manufacturers are implementing it. I know the Galaxy S3 works with some, but not all, for instance.
Ideally, one would like it to do video better, but honestly, I have a high-powered graphics card for gaming, and if you're an audiophile, you probably want the lowest voltage, lowest clock rate possible. I do not believe digital audio is affected by components unless there is a ground loop or other EMI bleed through. Once the PCM data gets to the DAC, there should be no difference whether that DAC is hooked up to a Mac, a PC, or any other device AS FAR AS DIGITAL INFORMATION IS CONCERNED. However, if the components are passing enough current, there is always a chance the analog portion of the DAC may pick up that current if not shielded properly, amplify it, and make that noise audible.
Ie., you just want well-shielded cables and components. No USB cable or optical cable will ever, ever change the sound itself (or imaging, the sweetness of the midrange, or whatever audiophile descriptive word you want). The type of computer doing the processing does not matter either. All the computer is doing is decoding and transporting digital information. Cables and computer parts will only allow or disallow analog electric noise. I will admit some may perceive this as changing the sound (it does, but only in the most literal sense - there's some noise.)
Oh also - I did look at the changelogs for XMBC (which I use) and they do now allow WASAPI output, bypassing the Windows mixer. So there should be no difference in the digital output of XMBC, Foobar or one of the pricey "audiophile" programs. I would like to see this tested though, I'm not sure how one would go about it. ie., grab the PCM stream on the USB or light-pipe and compare the outputs of the different software unless the software is doing something to it (like using a software EQ or what have you.) There should be no differences.
Android is not officially compatible with USB audio yet, but some manufacturers are implementing it. I know the Galaxy S3 works with some, but not all, for instance.
Ideally, one would like it to do video better, but honestly, I have a high-powered graphics card for gaming, and if you're an audiophile, you probably want the lowest voltage, lowest clock rate possible. I do not believe digital audio is affected by components unless there is a ground loop or other EMI bleed through. Once the PCM data gets to the DAC, there should be no difference whether that DAC is hooked up to a Mac, a PC, or any other device AS FAR AS DIGITAL INFORMATION IS CONCERNED. However, if the components are passing enough current, there is always a chance the analog portion of the DAC may pick up that current if not shielded properly, amplify it, and make that noise audible.
Ie., you just want well-shielded cables and components. No USB cable or optical cable will ever, ever change the sound itself (or imaging, the sweetness of the midrange, or whatever audiophile descriptive word you want). The type of computer doing the processing does not matter either. All the computer is doing is decoding and transporting digital information. Cables and computer parts will only allow or disallow analog electric noise. I will admit some may perceive this as changing the sound (it does, but only in the most literal sense - there's some noise.)
Oh also - I did look at the changelogs for XMBC (which I use) and they do now allow WASAPI output, bypassing the Windows mixer. So there should be no difference in the digital output of XMBC, Foobar or one of the pricey "audiophile" programs. I would like to see this tested though, I'm not sure how one would go about it. ie., grab the PCM stream on the USB or light-pipe and compare the outputs of the different software unless the software is doing something to it (like using a software EQ or what have you.) There should be no differences.