Having owned the VALAB, and currently owning the EE Plus DAC, I would think that the VALAB would be a step down from the EE Minimax. I still have the VALAB and love it, but I don't think that it would give you enough midrange liquidity to make up for what you'd be losing. I use the Touch through the EE Plus and am very pleased with it. The Touch is a fantastic little device and I have been camping out with it for about a year and a half while I figure out my next digital source. It is a great place to camp out.
Perhaps one of the MHDT DACs would provide more of what you're looking for, but I've never owned one. I wanted to own one, but couldn't resist the EE Plus for it's USB input abilities/Sabre DAC/ability to alter sound signature with tubes/opamps/no tubes/etc. I'm still only using it in stock form and like it very much. But it's nice to know it has flexibility should I ever get bored and want to change things up.
Anyway, it sounds like you have an awesome system. I bid on some Abby's but lost and have long been interested in Decware amps. Someday. Someday I'll probably own an MHDT DAC too. :)
Like I said, I really like the VALAB, but the limitations of the USB input made it preferable as a SPDIF based DAC, and it went well with the Touch. I just happen to prefer the EE Plus overall. As I should, considering it was 4 times the price.
BTW, you can often find VALABs for sale on Audiocircle and Head Fi for $150 or so, so it wouldn't be too hard to try it and see if you like it better than the EE Minimax before committing to a decision between the Touch and the MacMini.
I'm considering purchase of the of Black Cat Veloce cable in the future. How do you like it? I've only heard good things.
Perhaps one of the MHDT DACs would provide more of what you're looking for, but I've never owned one. I wanted to own one, but couldn't resist the EE Plus for it's USB input abilities/Sabre DAC/ability to alter sound signature with tubes/opamps/no tubes/etc. I'm still only using it in stock form and like it very much. But it's nice to know it has flexibility should I ever get bored and want to change things up.
Anyway, it sounds like you have an awesome system. I bid on some Abby's but lost and have long been interested in Decware amps. Someday. Someday I'll probably own an MHDT DAC too. :)
Like I said, I really like the VALAB, but the limitations of the USB input made it preferable as a SPDIF based DAC, and it went well with the Touch. I just happen to prefer the EE Plus overall. As I should, considering it was 4 times the price.
BTW, you can often find VALABs for sale on Audiocircle and Head Fi for $150 or so, so it wouldn't be too hard to try it and see if you like it better than the EE Minimax before committing to a decision between the Touch and the MacMini.
I'm considering purchase of the of Black Cat Veloce cable in the future. How do you like it? I've only heard good things.