I'll prefice the response with my experience is with a minipc. It is virtually identical to the mac mini with the exception that it is a pc. I used the van den hul cable to my dac 3. It is a glass cable.
I recently purchased the 24/96 usb link from Bel Canto. It made a huge audible difference. Smoother and way more listenable.
Also, you should know that each type of input is on it's on card, with caps that need breakin. So if your Dac 3 is broken-in on the toslink input, and you change to something else, you should go through a breakin cycle on that input also. You will likely notice a difference (depending on how resolving your system is).
One other thing. I was using a Transparent Ultra XL balanced cable into a Krell 400xi integrated amp. I changed that out to an MIT Magnum MA balanced cable. I went from thinking i had to bail on my Krell, to being able to live with it until i can upgrade to a decent pre.
This computer front end thing is a fun journey.
:-) good luck..
oh one other thing (and i hate to actually even write this) The dudes at Bel Canto actually liked the Monster cable USB cable the best of the ones they tested.
