2. pc-audio
  3. 1363240771

Novice needs Mac Mini and DAC advice

Stereo Boys, I really really need some advice. In the past 18 months, I've loaded all in on this hobby and in that short time span have gone from birth to a full blown, fairly high end system and now I'm integrating a Mac Mini server into the mix. My mind is blown with too much information and I'm losing it over which DAC will give me the best bang with a budget anywhere from $800 to $4000. I'm told that the Ayre and Wavelength don't really outperform the lower cost DACs by a huge margin. I need a shot of the truth. And I'm looking for plug and play. I'm not that conversant with all the technical science involved in all of this. I just want a clean, high res sound. Please help!!
moonshot
gregfisk
118 posts
 
Devilboy, I have been listening to the Octave for several weeks now and I am really impressed! Two weeks ago I bought the clock for my Evo and all I can say is WOW! I did not think it would make much difference, but man was I wrong. My system has never sounded better and I'm really glad I have forums like this to get info. from my fellow fanatics.

Bob, if your out there, what did you end up getting?
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
Gregfisk: I'm glad the you're finding the Metrum Octave so enjoyable. I think you will see the Octave gets even better over time. I had a very good friend over today who has much better ear than I and we took the Metrum Octave amp-direct straight to his amplifier he brought over. I controlled volume via the volume bar in PureMusic. HOLY FRIGGIN CRAP. Transparency, transparency, transparency. Holographic, deep soundstaging. We heard the Octave and his amp. That's it. I love this dac. Have fun! Big thanks to Bhobba who gave me the idea.
bander's avatar
bander
504 posts
 
I can't recommend Ben at Mojo Audio enough. He has spent so much
time helping me with my system that it's embarrassing. I have a new mac mini
that he upgraded and his power supply.

Customer service cannot be bettered.
jdodmead
257 posts
 
I just bought a Mac Mini and an Ipad, because of this and numerous other threads. My Mini only has usb, but I have 12 gig of memory. I tried the Splashtop app to try and go headless, but when I play something off itunes, the music comes through the Ipad instead of through the stereo. I am currently using the hdmi out to an Anthem AVM-50 until I get a usb dac(still searching)
I have 3 questions
Should I be using something different than Itunes to manage my music?(ripping and playback)
Should I be getting external memory to store all the music on to start with?(I have approx. 1,000 cd's)
What's the best app to operate headless? I'm in the same room and the same network, just don't want to continue using my plasma for a monitor.
I'm Mac and Computer Audio stupid, so be easy on me.
Thanks
Jeff
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Should I be using something different than Itunes to manage my music?(ripping and playback)

Absolutely. Amarra for playback and XLD for ripping - see my site for links.

Should I be getting external memory to store all the music on to start with?(I have approx. 1,000 cd's)

I would recommend an external 1-2TB drive with firewire connection to the Mac. RAID1 is best with 2 drives.

Also, put a SSD from otherworldcomputing.com in the Mini.

What's the best app to operate headless?

Remote.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
More to discover