macmini spdif out vs. usb

Definitely do the conversion outside of the computer. Get the USB DAC.

Marco

While the sophisticated engineers among us will argue that USB is also frought with problems, there is no doubt that SPDIF is second only to the transport itself in introducing 'stuff' into the signal path. More specifically I should say the implementation of the SPDIF interface - with special emphasis on the bad boy cable...

In a perfect world, the DAC would take in the USB signal and convert it to I2S instead of SPDIF. But even if it simply converts it to SPDIF before sending it to the DAC chip, it at least eliminates the output>cable>input problems.

All that said, while you hear it??? YMMV

thanks for the response guys, i've been doing alot of reading the past few days, and this makes sense. I will pony up for the usb option, piece of mind is certainly worth an additional $300. Nothing worse than wondering if it could just be a 'little' better....

i am not familiar with the benchmark usb dac, but it would have to be VERY good to beat a wavelength cosecant. i just got the cosecant and i could not be happier. in any case, the USB dac is certainly the way to go.

BTW, for the record, I am definitely NOT a fan of the Benchmark DAC. Since your question was very specific to that DAC I answered specifically the question you asked. I should probably add that I found the Benchmark to be too harsh for my ears in two different systems I tried it in at length, as well as in a friend's system briefly. It is a very analytical and detailed DAC. I'd associate it more with its Pro-Audio origins. I had a Wavelength Brick that I liked very much, and would guess that Jeffrey Bowman's recommendation of their Cosecant would be more to my liking as well. To use the common vernacular, the Wavelengths are more musical, softer-edged, and warmer - that from my experience with The Brick, and from what I've read on his other DACs. Benchmark are more analytical, neutral, and hard-edged to my ears. Some folks like that kind of sound, apparently. I'm not one of them.

Marco