Mac mini to eq using toslink?

go out and purchase a jitter device (monarch, audio alchemy, genesis, etc..) and go from your mac into this jitter device using a toslink cable. then go from the jitter device into an external dac using a digital coax cable. this will give you optimal sound. don't try to make cables or convert 1 type of cable to another. also, skip the usb connection until somebody comes out with a dac that actually will work with a usb cable. the new audio research dac just might be the ticket for the folks loooking for a usb dac.

Rb,
I have a paradesea usb dac, what is a matter with that? Also, to use a toslink from the mac mini you would need to use an adapter{ mini jack/toslink } as there is not an optical output that i know of.

you need to get an adapter at your closest fry's for $2 and place it onto your toslink cable and plug it into your mac. the adapter is a little longer and allows the mac to send digital signals. all of my mac and airport express devices uses this setup. i have never heard of your dac. what you can do is try the connection from your mac to the dac using a toslink cable and see for yourself if there is a difference. only you can tell. if you don;t hear a difference then you are in good shape.

Rb,
The paradesea is the dac that sells for $500 on ebay. A lot of agon members have it or have tried it. Usually gets very good reviews when compared to pricier dacs.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0406/mhdt_laboratory_dac.htm

I will try out the optical connection. I am assuming you are saying the optical connection is better than the usb. Is this correct?

correct