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Post by steviet1000 on Jan 4, 2011 15:17:21 GMT -5
Hi all. I'm looking for thoughts and opinions on something. I have a Mac mini that I'm going to hook up to a DAC. Either a new XDA or an existing Decco2. Question is do you use the USB or the digitial output from the Mac via toslink or coax. Would appreciate how others have it connected and if it's USB did you go out and buy a more "audio-centric" cable? (Like the Kimber).
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Post by regulator on Jan 4, 2011 15:46:58 GMT -5
I use the digital output of my mac via toslink when I connect to my DAC. Works well. I don't know how it compares to a USB out.
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Post by hobbs on Jan 4, 2011 15:47:15 GMT -5
I use the built-in DAC of Apple's AirPort Express to drive my powered Audioengine A5 speakers. The AirPort Express has a combo output that includes optical, so conceivably one could connect the AE to an external DAC of one's choice.
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ratmice
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Post by ratmice on Jan 4, 2011 16:08:57 GMT -5
I use the built-in DAC of Apple's AirPort Express to drive my powered Audioengine A5 speakers. The AirPort Express has a combo output that includes optical, so conceivably one could connect the AE to an external DAC of one's choice. That works fine for 2-channel material. ITunes can also transmit DTS encoded material which does not work through the XDA. Not sure what I'm going to end up doing. Hopefully I can figure out how to get AVR to deal with the DTS stuff over wireless, leaving the toslink from the Airport Express to connect to the XDA for 2-channel. |
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Erwin.BE
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Post by Erwin.BE on Jan 5, 2011 6:09:47 GMT -5
Hi all. I'm looking for thoughts and opinions on something. I have a Mac mini that I'm going to hook up to a DAC. Either a new XDA or an existing Decco2. Question is do you use the USB or the digitial output from the Mac via toslink or coax. Would appreciate how others have it connected and if it's USB did you go out and buy a more "audio-centric" cable? (Like the Kimber). The superior output of any Apple is the FireWire. FireWire DAC's are common in professional audio. The advantage is that the mini would be "slaved" to the clock in the DAC to do away with Jitter. Also, FireWire uses a dedicated part of the mini's processor which is not shared with other tasks, such as searching for software update. That's FireWire. Also good with Apples is the Optical Toslink output. Good is the fact that it eliminates the electrical connection alltogheter. Not so good is that it's prone to Jitter. So use as short an interconnect as you can, it helps. Don't worry about it and use this connection. Also no issues with 24/192 content, unlike much of the USB devices (not XDA). I don't think the mini even has digital coax output. Reserve the USB if you need an outboard HD, like the Iomega MiniMax 2TB I use. If you insist on USB, most say that no fancy cables are needed. Use FireWire between mini and HD if you use a HD. More info on the subject over at www.computeraudiophile.com/ |
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Post by billlorenz on Jan 16, 2011 18:33:21 GMT -5
Just purchased a new Mac Mini with added 4 GB memory and a firewire G-Technology external 1 TB drive for music files only. I am using my XDA-1 and Pure Music software with iTunes interface. Sounds is really quite good but I am confused by the sample rate maximum shown in the midi control panel of the Mac. USB port 16 bit at 44,110 or 48,000 sample rate is the only sample rates indicated. Changed cables as test with same results.
Mac optical output shows either 16 or 24 bit and up to 96,000 sample rate but no 192,000 files will play. I do have HD Track and Linn files at that and all sample levels that all play through my Peachtree Nova and PC setup.
What am I missing here?
Another issue is comparing RCA outs from the XDA-1 vs. XLR. Using Emotiva XLR balanced cables vs. Kimber RCA into Classe preamp and basic (connected together by Kimber XLR) and the RCA sounds much more open and at a higher volume level. Thought the XLR all the way through the analog section would be an improvement but quite the opposite. This is my first post so if I have missed a similar post forgive me.
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Post by BigV10 on Jan 16, 2011 21:45:51 GMT -5
This article shows 192k is supported on the optical connections. Interesting. I've only had Macs limited to 24/96 so I've never seen the options for audio any higher than that. Let us know what you find out. support.apple.com/kb/HT4210Brian |
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Erwin.BE
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Post by Erwin.BE on Jan 17, 2011 4:08:04 GMT -5
Just purchased a new Mac Mini with added 4 GB memory and a firewire G-Technology external 1 TB drive for music files only. I am using my XDA-1 and Pure Music software with iTunes interface. Sounds is really quite good but I am confused by the sample rate maximum shown in the midi control panel of the Mac. USB port 16 bit at 44,110 or 48,000 sample rate is the only sample rates indicated. Changed cables as test with same results. Mac optical output shows either 16 or 24 bit and up to 96,000 sample rate but no 192,000 files will play. I do have HD Track and Linn files at that and all sample levels that all play through my Peachtree Nova and PC setup. What am I missing here? Another issue is comparing RCA outs from the XDA-1 vs. XLR. Using Emotiva XLR balanced cables vs. Kimber RCA into Classe preamp and basic (connected together by Kimber XLR) and the RCA sounds much more open and at a higher volume level. Thought the XLR all the way through the analog section would be an improvement but quite the opposite. This is my first post so if I have missed a similar post forgive me. You should ask or search here for the Mac mini questions: www.computeraudiophile.com/As for the XLR vs RCA: it's not the first time RCA's give better result than XLR. Suppose it's down to implementation and system matching. I use EMO XLR from DAC2 to XPA-1. Result is good, so I never bothered to try RCA. |
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