2. pc-audio
  3. 1363240771

Novice needs Mac Mini and DAC advice

Stereo Boys, I really really need some advice. In the past 18 months, I've loaded all in on this hobby and in that short time span have gone from birth to a full blown, fairly high end system and now I'm integrating a Mac Mini server into the mix. My mind is blown with too much information and I'm losing it over which DAC will give me the best bang with a budget anywhere from $800 to $4000. I'm told that the Ayre and Wavelength don't really outperform the lower cost DACs by a huge margin. I need a shot of the truth. And I'm looking for plug and play. I'm not that conversant with all the technical science involved in all of this. I just want a clean, high res sound. Please help!!
moonshot

Showing 4 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I'll second the Metrum Octave. Drive it with a low-jitter source though.

the Metrum Hex iseven better BTW

The W4S DAC2 is also fabulous,but driven with I2S input.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
You have to be willing to do some tweaks and spend some money on the Mac Mini, including SSD, external power supply and Amarra etc..

It is a lot simpler to use a Sonos or Squeezebox or even an iPod and Pure i20 and drive a good reclocker like Synchro-Mesh to a DAC. Then add the DAC of your choice and get great results. Metrum Hex or AMR DP-777 are a good start at your price-point.

The thing to realize here is that the source jitter is actually more important than the DAC. Fix that first and then get the DAC.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Should I be using something different than Itunes to manage my music?(ripping and playback)

Absolutely. Amarra for playback and XLD for ripping - see my site for links.

Should I be getting external memory to store all the music on to start with?(I have approx. 1,000 cd's)

I would recommend an external 1-2TB drive with firewire connection to the Mac. RAID1 is best with 2 drives.

Also, put a SSD from otherworldcomputing.com in the Mini.

What's the best app to operate headless?

Remote.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"External power supply as well?"

Absolutely

"Concerning jitter, isn't that the DAC's responsibility to reclock or do you really need the reclocker buffered in between the source and the DAC?"

That would be nice in an ideal world. You need some kind of reclocker or external USB converter. No DAC does a complete job of reducing jitter. The ones that come close don't have great clocks in them anyway, so you are stuck with that SQ. I have auditioned and modded dozens of DACs for customers in the last 10 years.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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