MacMini USB ports which is better?

Assuming you're not baiting for a debate, I don't know for sure. I just hear it to sound better and I'm good with that. It might have something to do with being far enough away from the monitor port to not be affected by EMI radiation or maybe that that port is dedicated without having a bunch of other stuff slaved to it or a combination of both.

I'd guess somebody has better info on this than I do.

If you have a Mini and haven't done any comparisons, try it and see what you think. If you hear a difference then I bet the best sounding port will be the Right/East port - or Left port if your Mini's upside down. If you don't hear a difference then you're futunate to not feel a need to obbsess and spend time over this. ;)

Cheers!

Robert

Ah! See what I mean about doing stuff in front of a mirror!?

"...Now choose the East port and you're done.

Should be West!

Sorry 'bout that.

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Jtwrace...

>>Why do you think that port on the Mini sounds better?<<

Robert's having a good bit of fun with this, and I appreciate the banter... but my original post was that particular USB ports seem to be more musical than others... I was seeking validation if that was the experience of other users of MacMini's with USB DACs.

I have three identical combinations of Mini's and USB DACs and regardless of the difference in the systems, the same ports seem to sound better than others.

To answer your question, the other ports sometimes sound more detailed, but less musical to me. The outside port seems to sound best to me: detailed, but no grit or glare, better image depth and overall "musicality." Friends and family seem to concur, but all of us feel a bit uneasy about our impressions, so I thought I'd ask for others' input in a larger venue.

:) listening,

Ed

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Ed

Yes, I have a mini as well. I was asking for a professional opinion on WHY it would sound different (i.e. circuit design etc).

Can't comment on the Mac Mini, but the IMac is a similiar scenario. Facing the back of my IMac 20, the one on the right is the "warmest" by a very large margin, the one in the middle more balanced/neutral and the one on the left far too etched/bright. It's very obvious to anyone listening, not subtle at all. Has to be due to the way the ports are wired/configured internally. Better thing about the IMac too is that it reacts the same to power cords as does any CD player or DAC. Makes it handy if you have something like a Shunyata Vx power cord.