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Post by ceeebeee on Oct 22, 2010 21:59:57 GMT -5
So, I plan to get an XDA-1, my purpose is to connect my Mac Mini which is my media server to my stereo (Sugden and sometimes NAD amps).
Currently I am using the soundcard line out on the Mac and while I can live with the sound quality, what is quite unpleasant is the background hum.
I am planning to use the Toslink output of the Mac, into the XDA-1, then line out of the XDA-1 to my amp. Likely with the XDA-1 volume cranked up, I will use the preamps built into my integrated amps.
Questions: is Toslink or USB the best connection to use? I am assuming that the optical will have the best chance of eliminating hum. Thanks!
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Post by blessingx on Oct 22, 2010 23:34:57 GMT -5
There is no universally agreed on answer, especially when so little is known about the USB implementation here. Nice thing about the Mac is you have options.
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Post by rclark on Oct 23, 2010 4:13:57 GMT -5
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Erwin.BE
Emo VIPs 
It's the room, stupid!
Posts: 2,259
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Post by Erwin.BE on Oct 23, 2010 8:11:36 GMT -5
So, I plan to get an XDA-1, my purpose is to connect my Mac Mini which is my media server to my stereo (Sugden and sometimes NAD amps). Currently I am using the soundcard line out on the Mac and while I can live with the sound quality, what is quite unpleasant is the background hum. I am planning to use the Toslink output of the Mac, into the XDA-1, then line out of the XDA-1 to my amp. Likely with the XDA-1 volume cranked up, I will use the preamps built into my integrated amps. Questions: is Toslink or USB the best connection to use? I am assuming that the optical will have the best chance of eliminating hum. Thanks! Optical works fine with Apple products. I presume you are correct that it probably eliminates the hum better, since there's no electrical connection. Do try to use as short as possible cable lenght, to reduce Jitter risk. If you are used to the sound of the analogue output of the Mac, you're in for a big surprise! And don't forget the elimination of the pre-amp would be another small leap forward... |
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Erwin.BE
Emo VIPs
It's the room, stupid!
Posts: 2,259
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Post by Erwin.BE on Oct 23, 2010 8:22:52 GMT -5
Mildly interesting... There's no question that a SSD as provided here is better than regular HD, but I honoustly don't hear the mini, unless I keep my ear at 2 feet with no music playing. The company is also seemingly not keen in providing their adress on the website. Why? And how does that external HD looks like? |
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Post by ravingndrooling on Oct 24, 2010 22:29:17 GMT -5
You have a background hum with your Mini? I am using a Mini with a Toslink and it is DEAD SILENT. I don't disagree the XDA will be an improvement, but you might have something else going on as well.
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Post by mmeysarosh on Oct 25, 2010 11:43:53 GMT -5
Using the analog section of you Mac Mini should not produce a very notable hum out of the speakers. If it does, there is a possible electrical or cable line ground loop hum happening somewhere. While not noise free, it shouldn't be something you can hear until your ears are close to the speaker.
As for the USB or optical connection question, well its just not possible to answer at the moment. The optical connection will certainly work and obtaining the best out of it should not be a challenge. The USB connection will require a third party proprietary driver to achieve anything above 16/48. We also don't have the actual product in hand and don't know how effective each implementation is.
The good news is that one of the two options should do well so you can report back on your experiences. I will do the same as my plans for the XDA-1 is quite similar.
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Post by emoon3 on Oct 25, 2010 13:44:07 GMT -5
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ceebee
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8 
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Post by ceebee on Oct 25, 2010 20:57:54 GMT -5
You have a background hum with your Mini? I am using a Mini with a Toslink and it is DEAD SILENT. I don't disagree the XDA will be an improvement, but you might have something else going on as well. The hum/hiss is using the analog output. I plan to use the TOSLINK with the XDA-1 as my DAC. |
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ceebee
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by ceebee on Oct 25, 2010 21:01:11 GMT -5
Using the analog section of you Mac Mini should not produce a very notable hum out of the speakers. If it does, there is a possible electrical or cable line ground loop hum happening somewhere. While not noise free, it shouldn't be something you can hear until your ears are close to the speaker. It is not terribly noticable, especially when running at higher volumes, but it is there and it bugs me. The XDA-1 seems to be the lowest cost DAC that I can find (or the same cost as some other solutions but with many more features) so I am hoping that a) using TOSLINK will totally isolate the computer from my stereo system and b) that it will sound better. And, actually, I am hoping that it will improve the sound of my old NAD 502 CD player, which has coaxial digital out. |
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Post by nexxxoid on Dec 6, 2010 23:43:22 GMT -5
Well, my XDA-1 arrived today and I hooked it up to my mac mini. And.... Well... Nothing. I forgot to buy the right toslink cable.
I'll be back in a few days after Mr. Amazon delivers my cable.
What a dope.
D'oh.
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Post by nexxxxoid on Dec 11, 2010 12:27:09 GMT -5
I'm back. With the cable, this time. All's good, but because the optical port is the same as the analog out, I can't really A/B it. I can say things sound great and that everything works as expected, but I can't provide any kind of specific feedback as to how things sound different.
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ceebee
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by ceebee on Mar 5, 2011 21:21:36 GMT -5
Got mine all hooked up finally. Using a $1.50 toslink cable from ebay (that included shipping from Hong Kong, amazing) and a $6 adapter from mini-toslink to normal toslink.
Sounds good, and dead slient - no hum - as planned.
NAD 502 died the same day I got the cable. So now using $40 Toshiba DVD player as a CD transport, since it has digital coax out.
I certainly have no complaints about the sound. I haven't done much critical listening - although there have been a few tracks that have had a really nice wide and detailed soundstage, and some drums in particular sound more realistic and "in-the-room" than I remember.
Considering I was going to have to pay $500+ for a DacMagic locally, I am happy with my XDA-1 for my application.
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