Best Server - Mac Mini or Laptop Or ?


Suggestions on getting the best sound from the mp3 files I have.

- Existing 5 year old Mac Pro laptop
- New mac mini
- Modified mac mini (Mac2music seems to have disappeared - any suggestions on simple mods to make?)

thanks,
cdc2

Showing 3 responses by denon1

Steve, for your new Override SE DAC (looks great btw), what front end do your recommend? Does simple window based loptop with no additional sound card will be enough for best sound? Any USB based outout from that laptop will be input to the Override SE DAC. Correct? Are you plannning to build and sell any front end simple plug and play solution , so one can insert the CD and the device will rip it and it will play from SSD or HD and controlled by IPOD or IPAD, so one dont have to do any tweeks or software manipulatinos?
Thanks.
Steve, thank you for a feedback, this all in one solution that will be reliable plug and play and done right is what still missing for many to jump on computer based front end.
Ideally many audiophiles want simple box that they will put a CD in, it will rip that cd to the best format (FLAC or WAF or others) to its internal drive and it will have wireless and wired internet connection and preloaded and tested apps to use IPOD or IPAD, so all one have to do is turn everything on and insert cd and remotely control it, connecting to Overrride (or others) USB DACs and get a great sound.

ItÂ’s quite a few solutions on the market already, but either they not done properly, require a lot of tweaking and sound is not SOTA , or they too expensive because they include functionality what your override DAC SE does and still require a lot of tweaking and preparation.
Steve, even connecting to your Overdrive SE, the basic computer needs to be tweaked to get the best sound out of it, isn't it? Simply loading ripping software, playing software and connecting usb will not be enough. I doubt it. How about power supply? How about other programs that are running on that computer and may interfere with the sound? How about quality of HD and dvd ROM? All those things may become important to get not just a sound but a reference quality sound comparable with upper level cd players like DCS, esoteric k-3, k-01, ARC CD8, ayon cd-5s, and others. I would like to have plug and play solution simple and reliable, without spending hours on tweaking and reading forums and manuals and calling for help.