Mac Mini vs. another Mac for music server

In my own research; comparing the Mac Mini to both my other Macbook and Macbook Pro models, there has been a marked sonic improvement in both spatial and dynamic qualities via the Mac Mini. I speculate that the sonic improvement must be noise and/or packaging related as the Macbook has to contain it's recharging system, it's graphic card and the related screen in a very tight package comparably. Regardless of the actual technical reasons though, it has been a BIG surprise that the Mac Mini was the best sonically since it is the cheapest of all Mac computer solutions!

Per your inquiry, I am using the USB output. With a Mac (or any computer based server) you would want to AVOID SPDIF type of outputs whenever possible! SPDIF (both optical and electrical) are an "ugly tangled mess" of the clock and the digital music data. The sonic benefits of using a properly designed DAC to a Mac (via USB for instance) is many fold and can offer a HUGE jump sonically compared to anything SPDIF connected. Fro instance, Jitter alone can be reduced or eliminated in up to half a dozen areas with the USB implementation as compared to SPDIF implementations.

The D/A converters I use in my various audio systems are all from UltraFi Audio Designs.

Although I know it is fairly hard to believe for many, I can positively say without question that the Mac Mini will be the better sounding as compared to the Macbook or Macbook Pro laptops. Not only myself, but easily over a dozen other audiophiles in the same situation have now made the same assessment too. Different systems, different ears and different years of experience for all, yet we all seem to agree without question that the Mac Mini prevails. Welcome to the new "can of worms" regarding "bits are bits". Yet, it's obviously so much more than just this simplistic label alone that must be creating these sonic variations.

BTW: I think we will see a similar "discussion" just as profound with USB cabling differences. There can be even larger sonic differences than with any of the computer variants that all of us have tried! !#$%

Please note here -I don't take ANY of these things lightly myself as I am an Electrical Engineer who wants to quantify every sonic difference with a valid scientific explanation (if at all possible). Thankfully I can say that my own personal methods of identifying sonic differences are via VERY controlled true blind scenarios with repeated results over and over (just to make sure). At least this part meets my own scientific need for unwanted bias and/or placebo effects. Now if we could only explain the root causes effects of these sonic differences between various computers and USB cables. Any takers?

Hey Ckorody, you make some very good points!

The sonic differences between the Mac Mini and a Macbook would require the sound system to be of the caliber where imaging differences could be easily identified in the Z axis depth, where of Mini is perhaps 10 to 15% deeper and the midrange is a tad more "see through" offering a bit more harmonics, especially around voices.

Other things that are improved upon with the Mini are more realistic lower registers where drums and/or bass registers sound more harmonically correct. Again, maybe a 10 to 15% improvement on a system that easily shows these particular sonic differences.

Hence; not all sound systems are as revealing as others, so these differences may be marginalized on lesser systems.

Please Note: My answers to this thread have been mostly centered around the sonic differences between the Mini versus the Macbook due to the author's original inquiry here: ..."Is there a real advantage to using a Mini, sonicly or otherwise?"