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Mac Mini vs. CDP?

So....finally got a new Mac Mini and got it all set up with some CD's ripped lossless to Itunes. The Mac is feeding a Rega DAC via USB. A Oppo 981 DVD player is also feeding the Rega via the RCA-coax (using Cardas).

Norah Jones "Come Away With Me" was used for this test.

I cued up the CD and Mac and switched between them. At first I thought it was identical, but with a few minutes I could hear that the MAC's presentation was decidedly dull and lifeless sounding. The CDP/Rega combo sounded more open and live. I tried a few more tracks and heard the same thing. So I called my buddy (he owns a big rig of ARC and Vandersteen stuff) and he echoed my findings using the W4S DAC 2.

So what's up here? I've heard people claim Mac via USB is a match for a CDP. It seems like it should be....Ideas?

Rob
robbob

Showing 2 responses by foster_9

foster_9
1,638 posts
 
I've been planning to get the Mac Mini for my Eastern Electric Minimax DAC+. Until then, I'll be running it coax with my Krell cdp. I'll be watching this thread with interest for responses to this SQ issue. From all my reading, for computer audio to achieve good to excellent results, configuring the Mac Mini, tweaks, and add-on software are prerequisites. (all of which I know nothing) I've read great feedback regarding Amarra with the Mac Mini as compared against ITunes. The software is expensive however, and I'm only willing to go so far with expense for good sound quality in a computer audio setup. In fact, I don't think great expense should be necessary for computer, DAC and everything; $1-2k should be enough. (sorry, that's a different thread!)
foster_9
1,638 posts
 
A fellow Goner emailed me to make me aware that the Amarra software is buggy from his experience with the Mac Mini. When it comes time to make a software purchase I will likely go with some other software like Puremusic to improve the performance of the Mac Mini.
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