AppleTV work with USB DAC?

Wow the AppleTV has a fan? I didn't know that. I only saw
it at the Apple store and I really liked the small size and
of course the killer GUI.

I was reading that the AppleTV can be hacked to the point
where you could install a full version of OS X. Somehow
I was figuring if the USB could be enabled for USB harddisks
then the next step would be to copy over Audio Midi Setup,
start it up, and then select the USB port for Audio output.

Gherrera1: I will have to check into that capacitor mod
on the AppleTV. We emailed a year ago when I bought my
Krell 400xi and SACD3. You were considering the AppleTV
or MacMini back then.. I guess you picked the AppleTV..

Has anyone tested various glass Toslink cables to find
out which one sounds best with the AppleTV ?? The 3
Toslink cables mentioned often seem to be:

Van Den Hul Optocoupler
Wireworld Super Nova 5
AudioQuest Optilink-5

I don't believe he atv has a fan. He is probably hearing the hard drive spooling down.

You're probably right, it might be the hard drive. Would be interesting if a SSD was put in. I recently resolved most of the performance issues by moving away from a NAS and installing a larger drive in my iMac, mirrored using SuperDuper, but that's another story, but since I know my ATV is fine, I probably won't be looking at replacing it.

In terms of the output, even if USB could be used, it seems like there are a lot of debates on the quality and implementation. Maybe you can look at just getting the best out of the Toslink. A reclocker like the Pace Car might be an option. One thing that I'm really curious about is the Altmann UPCI (Ultra Precision Clock Injector).

Hi Tom, yes I remember emailing back and forth over the 400xi/SACD combo. Currently I'm still using the 400xi and DVD Standard w/HDMI upgrade even though I don't watch movies on it. I actually thought about picking up an SACD on ebay a couple weeks back, but never did.

Anyway, back to the original topic, I did indeed pick up an Apple TV and really like it.

I used a Nordost White Light glass fiber optic from the ATV into a Benchmark DAC1. I used that combo for quite some time with excellent results using my iPod touch as a remote. I even used an Airport Express with the optical out and achieved good results as well before the ATV arrived. I think it had to do more with the jitter reduction in the DAC1.

With the man cave rearranged and a new iMac on my desk, I'm now back to using the usb input on the DAC1. The ATV is used in the bedroom for renting movies and what not, but I have a couple ideas brewing.

Here's what I'm thinking: Upgrade the ATV drive to an SSD or CF with an adapter. This way, there aren't any moving parts in it at all. All my music is stored on a WHS so no need to sync it with the ATV. My iMac can run itunes and output to the ATV so all is well. Build and install the USB filter to provide better power to the toslink transmitter. And just like my other equipment, run it on balanced power from the PS Audio P-500. I think that's about the best one can optimize the ATV without the use of bybee purifiers or other esoterica.