1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 196573-154709

Best connection Mac Mini to Denafrips Pontus II

I am considering foregoing a streamer and connecting it directly to a Mac Mini.

I will be playing hi-res files from Qobuz. My previous dac was also a streamer, and prone to annoying dropouts; I'd like to eliminate/minimize this problem by hard-wiring the Pontus II. What is the preferred choice of input that will best serve my needs? I'm wrestling with the USB vs.I2S question.....if your advice is to use I2S, then the next question is based on the Mac having a 'regular' HDMI output, designed (as I understand it) primarily for video. I've recently read about a the Matrix X-SPDIF 2 .........which as you may know, converts the HDMI signal from the Mac into an I2S signal. What's your take on all this? BTW: If you think I'll be better off using a streamer, feel free to offer that............Many thanks! Michael

michaelc2020
fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
743 posts
 

+2 what soix said. 

19mmark19
5 posts
 

I have the Venus. My understanding (and I could definately be wrong), I2S uses the source clock, but usb relies on the DAC clock (in this case your Denafrips). So, you should choose the stronger of the two....I suppose in your case it's your Denafrips: therefore use a usb connection. I have the Venus 15 and I use usb coming from my Eversolo streamer - sounds awesome! This reviewer discusses that here :

iiWi Review

whipsaw
789 posts
 

FWIW, I run a Mac Mini directly to my (non-Denafrips) Aqua La Scala, and it sounds superb.

stephengordon
11 posts
 

I run a MacBook Air USB-C to Denefrips Iris then i2S to Pegasus Musician DAC.

Superb.

I started with USB then bought a cheap (Douk Audio?) DDC to go iS2. Immediate improvement. Had a fair deal in front of me on the Iris so pulled the trigger with no real belief it would affect sound much. Instant, obvious increase in detail with no sacrifices. Let me put it like this - when the Iris went in I almost immediately regretted not paying a few hundred more for the 12th anniversary edition. I was just so surprised and impressed. Reclockers are a thing. i2S is a thing. 

 

lanx0003
1,926 posts
 

Get a Volumio Rivo Plus or an eversolo T8 and use the I²S input. Use a 0.5m Veritas HDMI/I²S or DH Labs HDMI 2.1 cable. There’s a 20% discount until Sunday. Buy both, try them for a month, and return the one you like least.

More to discover