Fred1976

It's a 2007 Mac Mini with Mountain Lion (via MLPostfactor workaround). I prefer to use SPDIF over USB in my setup for a couple of reasons: - The USB input of my DAC is limited to 48kHz whereas through SPDIF 96kHz is supported - I want to keep DAC and amp electrically isolated, moreover a USB connection to my Mac Mini effectively connects signal/chassis ground to earth, which I don't like (connecting another grounded source would then make a ground loop) - I power my DAC by a linear PSU which is superior in terms of noise and slew rate compared to the Mac Mini's USB power

Hello, I have been looking through the same options as the OP and others who posted. It seems that most streaming solutions are either expensive/proprietary (NAD, Marantz etc.), unpractical (connecting iPad or iPhone to DAC each time, ...) or have unwanted limitations (ATV resampling to 48kHz, Airport Express limited to 44.1/16 etc.) My conclusion was that the best solution was to avoid streaming, at least for now, and take a different route. I bought a 2nd hand 2,1 Mac Mini on Ebay for 120$, replaced its HDD with a 1TB one and put my entire iTunes music library on it. The Mac Mini has no monitor, has only one application (iTunes) which is in the boot up list, and it is connected by SPDIF (set to 96/24) to an AMB y2 DAC, which is in turn connected to my amp. It works beautifully: iTunes on the Mac Mini can be controlled (and switched (in)to standby) via its own infrared RC, or via Apple's underrated "Remote" App on iPad/iPhone which displays artwork very nicely. If I need to access the Mac Mini for other purposes, I use either screen sharing on my upstairs iMac or the VNC Lite App on my iPad. Added benefit is that there is only one central music collection which is available for streaming to iPad/iPhone/iMac in the house, and that the brushed aluminium even sort of matches my Marantz Pearl Lite Fred