I am also using a Mini as a music server with the toslink output to a CAL Alpha DAC with the 24/96 board upgrade. I as of now have no way to try the USB option maybe in the future ? I am looking at getting a better toslink cable maybe the Van Den Hul it is a glass fiber , I now have a plastic toslink cable.I will live with this setup for a time and maybe a jitter device or reclocker or a DAC upgrade sometime down the road.I have about 400 CD'S, 200 + GB on a external hard drive all in AIFF and I like it .I also have a I Touch I use as a remote sometimes work's very well . Marc
Why Mac Mini Over Slim Systems Products?
Here are my thoughts. Please let me know if they make sense:
1) Using a Mac Mini for a music server is superior to slim systems duet or squeezebox if you are interested in playing high resolution files (I am).
2) Mac Mini and the Transporter both do high resolution, but Mac Mini would likely provide more universal access to things out there on the web.
3) Now with the ability to use the itouch as a remote control, the Mac Mini has just as much remote functionality as the slim systems stuff. You will still need a screen and keyboard for startup though.
4) It is better to use the USB out of the Mac Mini than the optical mini plug (I don't know why this is true, it may not be true, I've just seen it several times).
IF all these statements are true, then I want to go the Mac Mini route. I have a spare monitor and keyboard. Now I would just need to figure out the DAC question. Please advise re the above. Thanks, Peter
1) Using a Mac Mini for a music server is superior to slim systems duet or squeezebox if you are interested in playing high resolution files (I am).
2) Mac Mini and the Transporter both do high resolution, but Mac Mini would likely provide more universal access to things out there on the web.
3) Now with the ability to use the itouch as a remote control, the Mac Mini has just as much remote functionality as the slim systems stuff. You will still need a screen and keyboard for startup though.
4) It is better to use the USB out of the Mac Mini than the optical mini plug (I don't know why this is true, it may not be true, I've just seen it several times).
IF all these statements are true, then I want to go the Mac Mini route. I have a spare monitor and keyboard. Now I would just need to figure out the DAC question. Please advise re the above. Thanks, Peter