Im brand new to this, and just placed my first ever order for Toslink cable (went with Lifatec based on their customer service demonstrated in this thread). I'm currently configuring my Mac-mini to connect to my Bel Canto e.One DAC 3 MKII . Previously I have listened to my high res collection only through headphones with my Sony highrez Walkman.
Since my Bel Canto DAC from what I can tell only does 16/44 through the USB port, but will support 24/192 through the Toslink or Rca-spdif ports, I see my options as being limited to either the Toslink from the Mac mini to the DAC, or using something like the Peachtree X1 to go from Mac-mini USB out to X1 to the Dac's RC SpDif input.
I am going to try the Toslink approach first, even though it is clear from this thread and many others that optical cables are far more finiky than electrical digital cables. There are two reasons why:
1) if the Toslink actually works, it saves me needing to buy the Peachtree X1.
2) I'm not an engineer, but I would think that the optical cable should be far less susceptible to electronic interference since it is glass and light instead of metal and electricity. So since I am using a standard Mac-mini (for now... Hope to make some mods to it in the future), I want to do everything I can to avoid or minimize electrical interference.
So I would appreciate some feedback regarding my point 2 and if I am missing the point?
Also, the reason I quoted was because I think the Toslink can potentially be the better solution, if you get past the finicky nature of the connection. Add that to the fact that it seems a far far more commonly available connection, (meaning that any two pieces of equipment are more likely to be able to talk to each other) and I'm not sure that I can agree that Apple including it is ignorant or an insult to the customer.
