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Thanks again Mr. C. I really appreciate your help. I'm starting to see the light. Is there a simple chart or article/thread that has all this info? It would be great for me and others. So, my current understanding is ... If I want to use a Mac-Mini with OSX, then I can pass 24/192 only on the USB port (not optical) but the DAC must have a special driver for the USB port I-tunes cannot do auto SRC (sample-rate conversion) If I want to use the MM with Win XP, then I can pass 24/192 on optical port. I can pass 24/192 on USB port providing the DAC has a special driver for the USB I-tunes still can't do Auto SRC. If I use a Mac Pro or Windows machine, and install a Lynx AES16 card, I should be able to have everything I want: 24/192 support, auto SRC by using Media Monkey, J. River, ... (just not I-tunes). Next set of questions: Assuming I use a Mac_mini with Win XP, is there any way to get Auto SRC by using Media Monkey, J. River, etc.? Do you know if a MacBook or MacBook Pro can accept a Lynx AES16 card? Thanks, Cary

Thanks zerung. I was using the My Book Mirror because it was mirrored but I like the flexibility of more ports. It looks easy to change from Raid0 to Raid1. That's the ticket. Cary

Thanks for the response Mr. C. To make things simpler (easier for me to understand), let's focus on material that is 24/176 or greater. If it works for this, it will work for lower-res material. What I assume to be correct: The EXT USB HD is OK to pass 24/192 material to the MM The Mac-Mini is limited to 24/96 from it's optical port in OSX. What I still don't understand: How, why can the MM pass 24/192 on it's optical port by using Windows XP instead of OSX? Can the MM running OSX pass 24/192 on it's USB port? Can the MM running Windows XP pass 24/192 on it's USB port? Can I-tunes import/play 24/192 material? Can I-tunes/MM automatically change sample-rate on a DAC so that the music is always played in its native format? Thanks, Cary

This is my first post. I want to thank Chris for this wonderful site. Without it, I would have just given up. I have read many of the informative posts here like "24/192 via USB 2.0 on a beer budget", Audiophile Music Server CA01-4, and many, many more. Now I'm ready to ask a question(s). Here goes. I am stuck (or lucky) with creating an audiophile music server for me and 3-5 friends. Most of these systems will be I-tunes based because of the ease of use (they already use I-tunes for their I-pods and are familiar with it). My personal system may or may not use I-tunes but that is for another time and another discussion. I need to get these guys going first. System Requirements (or wishlist) Current song collection is ~18,000 songs - all 16/44. Ripped in FLAC with dbPoweramp. Converted to AIFF or ALAC with dbpoweramp. Very interested in Hi-res audio for the future - 24/96, 24/176, 24/192. Music from HRx and others. Would like auto-detection of sample-rate so music plays in it's native format. Would like to put all music together in I-tunes, regardless of resolution. Playlists can have a mix of different song resolutions. Music storage will be on WD My Book Mirror USB Ext. HD or similar. Prefer computer to be Mac-Mini (MM) because of size, price, etc. I'm open to putting Windows XP on MM if that helps. Can be PC based if we have to. I will assume MM until you convince me otherwise. For one system the DAC will be high-end like a Bryston BDA-1. Other systems will be value-oriented and use something like the EMU 0404 USB or similar. Will use a TV for viewing the MM during regular operation. For MM control we can use: Blue-Tooth mouse/keyboard; I-touch; another computer sharing I-tunes or VPN; and/or the Front Row IR remote. My Questions First and foremost, will this all work for an Itunes based, Mac-Mini system? If not, what is your suggestion? Can the My Mirror be connected to the MM by USB and still pass 24/192? (or is the USB limitation only between the MM and the USB DAC?). For the Bryston BDA-1, the connection must be Optical because the USB only accepts up to 16/48. Does the optical output on the MM pass up to 24/192? For the EMU 0404, will it be limited by the MM to 24/96 over USB? Is that also the upper limit for Optical? If the EMU 0404 and MY Mirror are connected by USB to the MM, is there 2 USB Root Hubs on the MM? I could keep on asking questions forever. I think you get my point. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Cary