2. digital
  3. 169070-81570

Streamer vs. new mac mini for 2 channel system

Hi audio friends,

I LOVE the functionality of my mac mini with my 2 channel system: Exasound 62e DAC, Modwright ls100 pre, Coda continuum 8 power amp and Wilson Sabrina speakers.  Being able to navigate with mouse and keyboard from my listening position is infinitely better than using a tablet or some mickey mouse app with my phone.  

The issue is the mac mini.  Clearly this is not the best transport, however I want to use my 2 channel system for more than just streaming roon.  I listen to soundcloud a lot to learn about new music and when I watch tv I want to utilize the stereo for netflix, crave etc.  My Dac has only 1 usb in and obviously an optical + s/pdif, but the fidelity is just not as good with the other inputs.  

I almost pulled the trigger on a Lumin U1 mini, but again I do not see how this transport will improve fidelity, without limiting overall functionality.  How do I bring a new mac mini to a place where it can compete with a dedicated transport like the lumin, or is this even a reasonable suggestion?  

Looking to optimize the system in the most efficient way.
Confused - any suggestions would be much appreciated.

cshadow

Showing 2 responses by calvinandhobbes

calvinandhobbes
312 posts
 
The key benefit of a streamer on SQ is reduced EMI and RFI. In my experience it takes a good amount of workarounds such as USB noise reducers to clean up the quality of output from a computer. Apparently Macs do have less EMI and RFI than do most PCs though.

My suggestion. If you have the Mac already. Bring your digital setup to a dealer and compare to the streamer that he/she is selling. If you hear a difference, consider buying the streamer.

Or, buy a streamer used so you can try it and resell it if you see no benefit over a Mac. FWIW, the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra has been working well for me for both SQ & connecting to a variety of sources.
calvinandhobbes
312 posts
 
@tvad One solution that I found to optimize sound quality was to turn off the WiFi in my streamer and to use an Ethernet cable connected to a WiFi extender that provides an Ethernet access point. That provides the benefit of not having miles of Ethernet cable in my house, cuts out EMI/RFI running through the Ethernet cable, as well as reducing a source of RFI in my streamer.

The audible improvement over connecting my Pro-ject streamer via WiFi was immediately noticeable and not at all subtle.
More to discover