yobigc

Found a great deal on a VDAC-mkII Question is what kind of connection do I do that is best? USB out (Mac Mini) and USB into VDAC or TOSlink out (Mac Mini) and Digital Optical into VDAC or TOSlink out (Mac Mini) and Coaxial into VDAC and then what connectors from the VDAC to my AVR? Analogue inputs (RCA?) Thanks again

Wow, thank you all for your fantastic input - it's helped me a lot to clarify in my mind how to go about getting it done. I've already spent some time re-ripping my CD's to ALAC - I'm trying to teach / incentivize my son to do it for me - hahah I already have about 10% of my library in ALAC so with that I will start testing out the TOSlink (Mac Mini Out) to that VDAC-II product - sounds pretty good in that it's got that asynchronous USB as well. I've already lined up my sound system upgrades. I've got an old but excellent Pioneer A300R stereo amplifier and I wrote into Tom Evans to see if he can upgrade it to the "Full Monty" Precision upgrade - he's said Yes! And in speaking with him he's recommended to pair that with some Jordan speakers - which from what I've seen are pretty affordable as they are on clearance sale now. All I need is to find someone in Singapore who can build me a speaker enclosure and I'm set. Thanks all!

Thanks everyone for your advise. Oh the pain of having to re-rip all my music into ALAC or FLAC... Does anyone know of an alternative where you can pay for the download high quality bitrate tracks? So from I gather there are 2 components that people are suggesting - the first is an external DAC and the second is an a USB to SPDIF converter. I'll start giving this a shot to see how it goes

Thanks both for replying. Yes - there are 4 bass speakers and it's not exactly punchy. I just did a little tweak as I was using Soundflower to output my sound from my Mac Mini. Once I changed it to pure HDMI output it sounded much better, like a tiny veil got lifted. I'll take your other advice as well to connect a DAC out of my Mac Mini and into my Receiver. What I'm doing right now I don't think is helping by sending it through my TV via HDMI and then from the TV to the Receiver via digital optical cable. Any affordable DACs you can recommend? Around $200 USD? I was researching and found this site, not sure what he's selling - is it a DAC? https://sites.google.com/site/hifacemods/

Apologies, but I'm a bit new at this. Currently I have a Mac Mini (one of the new ones) and I'm using the HDMI output connected to my TV and then I have a digital optical out connected to my Marantz Receiver (it's an old Marantz so it doesn't have HDMI inputs which is why I did it through the TV) What I'd like is to get the best possible sound coming out of my Mac Mini. My source is largely computer based music - some of my iTunes library I have ripped at Lossless (ALAC) but the majority of my music is MP3 with bitrates between 128-192kbps Another source I'm using is Spotify, but from what I've read (the free version of Spotify) is MP3 at 128kbps. I cannot upgrade to Spotify Premium as I'm not in one of the licensed Spotify countries. I'm thinking of using MOG as their bitrates are apparently higher 320kbps although I have to check this out. Right now, it feels like my system is very clear and defined - Vocals are great, Classical is awesome, but lacks it seems to lack the punch or bass when I listen to more Rock or Hip Hop. I have a Marantz SR4300 receiver (80w x 6) and an old pair of Mission 753 speakers. I'd like to know how to go about improving it. Should I? - Install a DAC - so either USB or TOSlink out from my Mac Mini - Buy a stereo amplifier (like the Marantz PM6004) and hook that up to my Mission 753 - Buy a subwoofer to add the bass to my system - Buy a new pair of stereo speakers? Any advise anyone can give would be greatly appreciated Thanks,