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Jitter Of New Mac Mini Optical Line Out Improved?

I read somewhere that the optical line out (headphone mini-jack) of the new Mac Mini Lion 2011 model has a low jitter of 20 ps whilst the older model has a jitter ranging from 200 to 250 ps. The older models were claimed to have poor jitter up to 800 ps.

Due to the low jitter response on the optical line out of the new Mac Mini, it was claimed that the Lion OS Mac Mini can be connected directly to a DAC via a good glass optical cable without the use of external converters or other similar devices which are made redundant. The sound quality was said to be excellent.

Any thoughts if the optical line out of the new Mac Mini is an improved version of the older Mac Minis? Anybody measured the jitter response of the Macs?

Any advice appreciated.
ryder

Showing 2 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
The new Mini may have lower jitter, but I doubt if it is 10psec from the Toslink interface. Even most good clocks have jitter this low. Add any circuitry or a power supply and it is multiplied by at least 10X, particularly Toslink interfaces. At least 100-200 psec.

I don't have a 2011 Mini here or I would measure it.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I doubt if they are putting low-jitter clocks in new computers. Its that the power supplies are lower noise with better voltage regulation.

I use a 2009 Mini with an external Hynes power supply. Killer good. Better than ANY newer Mini.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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