Why Mac Mini Over Slim Systems Products?

Will you be going into a DAC? My experience thus far has been that the Squeezebox digital out beats Toslink out of the Mac Mini. If you are going analog out of both devices, I have no doubt that the Squeezebox will win easily.

Ultimately, I am looking for a Mac Mini solution for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the Remote app on the iPod Touch, which is truly special. I think the Squeezebox can be beat with USB out, but for me it's still a work in progress.

FYI, I have always found the Squeezebox digital out to be slightly inferior to playing the original CD on a transport into the same DAC. But I don't think it has to be so. In fact, I think the Mini or any other hard drive-based system should be able to beat the transport, but there are some remaining pieces to the puzzle I still need to solve.

The DACs I have used are a Lavry DA and an Audio Note DAC1x Signature. My electronics are Gamut driving Dynaudio Confidence C!s.

I have just ordered a well-regarded Toslink cable to see if I can improve the performance of the Mini's digital out

Van den Hul makes Toslink cables with mini jacks on one end and standard on the other, which is perfect for Mac Mini or notebook applications. Unfortunately, my Lavry DAC has what appears to be a slightly non-standard Toslink input and the VDH's is a bit large and wouldn't fit. I now have one from Wireworld on the way. I'm not convinced that Toslink straight out of the computer is workable for me sonically, but I want to see if a better cable will make a difference.

In my system, I would describe the Toslink sound as having a smaller sound stage than USB, less apparent clarity, and whereas USB has a "black background" (perhaps too much so), the Toslink is, uh, not-black.

As I experiment with this stuff, I am finding that you need to give it a good long listening session and not just a back and forth comparison. Some configurations appear to produce listener fatigue. Unfortunately, I don't remember which. (Memory loss may be another side effect.)

Here's what I mean by "too black." When the music sounds as if it is being performed in deep outer space, where there is no atmosphere and it is cold and sterile. In contrast to music being made in a performance hall or even in a studio. Hmmm....not a very good explanation, is it? But I do think there is such as thing as a background that is "too black."

Let us know what you find. When using Toslink out of the Mac Mini, open the application called "Audi Midi", choose the external output and set it to 24-bit and 96KHz. You don't have this option with a USB output (at least not with mine), which is limited to 16/44.1.

Set the Mac Mini's Audio Midi application to 16/44, not 24/96, unless your files are actually 24/96.

The Remote app from Apple for controlling iTunes from the iPod Touch is superb. There is a shareware application to control the Squeezecenter (and thus your Squeezebox) from an iPod Touch. I haven't tried it, but you can find it here. The one key element that is missing from computer audio is liner notes. You've got to be able to find things such as recording dates, performers, song authorship, and so forth. Someday, I'm sure.

Oh, and in case anyone has Apple's ear, I'd like to see the ability to create ad hoc playlists via the Remote app. As I sit on the couch and browse through my library via the iPod Touch, I want to select songs to queue up for listening. Great idea, don't you think?

I think you will find the HagUSB disappointing. The BC thing may be great (haven't heard it), but another thing you could try is the Van den Hul Toslink cable, which comes in a version with a mini toslink connector at one end.