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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
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
Will you be going into a DAC? My experience thus far has been that the Squeezebox digital out beats Toslink out of the Mac Mini. If you are going analog out of both devices, I have no doubt that the Squeezebox will win easily.

Ultimately, I am looking for a Mac Mini solution for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the Remote app on the iPod Touch, which is truly special. I think the Squeezebox can be beat with USB out, but for me it's still a work in progress.

FYI, I have always found the Squeezebox digital out to be slightly inferior to playing the original CD on a transport into the same DAC. But I don't think it has to be so. In fact, I think the Mini or any other hard drive-based system should be able to beat the transport, but there are some remaining pieces to the puzzle I still need to solve.
ecruz
402 posts
 
Drubin-
My reasons for wanting to use a Mini are similar. I can't stand the display on the SB3, but I don't want to give up the convenience of a server.

I will be going into a DAC, but not a USB DAC. Also, my Squeezbox has the Bolder digital mods and the Bolder power supply. If you are finding the stock SB3 is better than the digital out of the Mini, my modded unit should sound a lot better.

What DAC have you tried them with? What's the rest of your system?
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
The DACs I have used are a Lavry DA and an Audio Note DAC1x Signature. My electronics are Gamut driving Dynaudio Confidence C!s.

I have just ordered a well-regarded Toslink cable to see if I can improve the performance of the Mini's digital out
ecruz
402 posts
 
I stopped at the Apple store on the way home, thinking (wrongly) that they would have a mini to toslink digital cable. Apparently the only place I can get one of these is online? So it will be a few days before I'll be able to do any comparisons.
kana813
956 posts
 
"In fact, I think the Mini or any other hard drive-based system should be able to beat the transport, but there are some remaining pieces to the puzzle I still need to solve."

The answer could be the new PSAudio Digital Lens:

http://boards.psaudio.com/showthread.php?t=3870
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