Mac Mini versus PC sonic differences, why?


I constantly get asked by my perspective customers to explain how a Mac Mini can sound superior to other computers such as PC or even other Macs. I've started this thread for discussion about the findings between the Mac Mini versus other Mac computers versus various PCs. My intent is to go beyond technical discussions and actually show true "cause and effect" based on actual blind A/B listening tests. Anyone interested in this sort of discussion?
dbaudiolabs

Showing 2 responses by reubent

In this corner-Computer Geeks!

In the opposite corner-Audio Geeks!

Let's get ready to RUMBLE..............

DBAudio guy, this should be fun. I am interested in hearing peoples experiences.

I use a MAC Mini with iTunes for the convenience, low ambient noise, firewire interface (keeps the disk I/O off of the USB Bus where my DAC lives) and plan to get a bluetooth keyboard ( to sit on the couch and geek out, plus remove the keyboard and mouse from the USB bus). All of these features are built into the basic MAC Mini at a very reasonable price. Also, I ultimately plan to place the MAC Mini on my audio shelf and it's compact size is helpful.

Will be interesting to see what other folks think about this subject.

Enjoy,

TIC
Eric,

Correct. If you plan to use multiple external hard drives in order to have plenty of storage space and a backup drive, you can use firewire attached drives. This gets your disk I/O off of the USB bus. Then use a USB DAC and you have the disk I/O and the DAC I/O on separate buses. I can't say if it makes a sonic difference, but it would seem to make logical sense considering the firewire bus is there to use. BTW, the Iomega MiniMax hard drives are a cosmetic match for a MAC Mini. Very cool....

Also, if you use a bluetooth keyboard (with touchpad) you also get the keyboard I/O off of the USB bus. Also the bluetooth keyboard/touchpad is cool because you can have it in your lap on the sofa/listening chair.