MacMini USB ports which is better?


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I have been A/B-ing the audio qualities of three of the four USB ports at the back of the MacMinis I own and use for music. All of them are MMINI 2.0 2X512/120/SD/AP/.

Facing the back of the Mac and looking directly at the USB ports, the one on the far right (the first outside one) seems to sound most musical to me.

The next runner up seems to be the third in from the outside edge. (I can not use the 4th because the head of the USB cable is so large it interferes with the monitor cable.)

Any experience with this? It might all be just illusion...

:) listening,

Ed
istanbulu
Well, thinking this through some more I think it would be best to establish a universal frame of reference.

Rather than left or right, get a compass and find due North. Have the back of your Mini facing North. Macbook: back of screen facing North. Now stand (or sit) at the back of your Mini. This puts you facing due South. Use the compass to verify this. If you're not facing due South, start over. Now choose the East port and you're done. Ta da! Macbook: Stand (or sit) facing East. This should put you at the port side of the Macbook. Again, use the compass to verify this. If you're not facing due East and at port side, start over. Once you're sure where you're at it's easy sailing from here - choose the South port. Done!

BTW, one person reported doing this in front of a mirror. He got everything all screwed up. Make sure there are no mirrors in your view as you do this procedure!

You know, how hard would it be for Apple, or any computer manufacturer, to put a North arrow on their stuff and then mark the ports East or West. Duh! An industry standard like this sure would make things easier.
Argh, remove the a=href"in front of the http. Here:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1717

Lee
Assuming you're not baiting for a debate, I don't know for sure. I just hear it to sound better and I'm good with that. It might have something to do with being far enough away from the monitor port to not be affected by EMI radiation or maybe that that port is dedicated without having a bunch of other stuff slaved to it or a combination of both.

I'd guess somebody has better info on this than I do.

If you have a Mini and haven't done any comparisons, try it and see what you think. If you hear a difference then I bet the best sounding port will be the Right/East port - or Left port if your Mini's upside down. If you don't hear a difference then you're futunate to not feel a need to obbsess and spend time over this. ;)

Cheers!

Robert