dme

There are blogs all over the internet about "the disk not ejected properly" error message after waking up a Mac Mini from sleep mode. Drobo diagnistic shows the Drobo unit is fine. There is something wrong with the Mac Mini OS. You could be correct about the power saving or sleep mode; however, too many people are experiencing this error message with no real error. Therefore, I think Apple OS has an issue on its hands.

I use a 4-bay Drobo with 2 1TB Western Digital 32 MB SATA hard drives connected to a Mac Mini, using itunes. After listening, I exit itunes by clicking on the red button. I wait a few seconds and then put the computer to sleep. When I wake up the computer I sometimes get a warning message that the disk was not properly ejected, and I have to wait a few minutes to let the Drobo "reboot" before I can access the itunes library. I have already tried shutting the entire system down and moving the hard drives to different Drobo bays. That seemed to fix the problem for awhile; but, now it's back. Any ideas on what I am doing wrong or is it the hardware?

Anyone experience the Mac Mini not recognizing the Ayre QB-9 after the Mac Mini is re-started or powered down and back up? Lately I have had to unplug the USB cord from the back of the DAC, replug, and then go through the set up procedure per Ayre's Apple computer set up page. Works perfectly again but seems odd that one would have to basiclly repeat the set up every time the Mac Mini is started up. But this issue doesn't occur coming out of the Mac Mini sleep mode. Any thoughts? Thx

Conrad, not sure I'd move to a computer based system. I'm still burning in an Ayre QB-9 and Mac Mini system, but my initial reaction is the CD player produces a warmer, more fully sonic soundstage than the dac/mac mini system. Perhaps my opinion will change over time, but right now the only real value I find in the dac/mac mini combo is convience in playing music. The sound isn't the same. Sorry to all the computer audio guys but it's not.

Carlos, Thanks. Amarra is a maybe given the price. I'll let the Ayre play the suggested 100 hours or so and see how it sounds then. The primary goal to load up the cds to a computer was to achieve "good enough" sound with ultra convenience for listening. Perhaps keeping the cd player and cds handy for reference listening is the solution. Or maybe after 15 +/- years I'm just used to the sound and feel of the Arcam cd player.

Recently went with a Mac Mini/Ayre QB-9 combo. Hooked up to an older but well functioning Audio Research LS-3 pre amp and a PSE power amp. Using itunes. Swithced out an older Arcam Alpha 9 cd player. Using older Audio Quest RCA cables and a new Transperant USB audio grade cable for the interconnects to the dac/computer/pre-amp. What I've noticed is the mac mini/Ayre dac combo sounds slightly but noticeably tighter and a little less vibrant than the same CD in the Arcam 9. The cd played via the Arcam sounds a bit louder at the same volume level and seems to have a brighter sound stage. Is this due to 1. the cd player is 15 years old and has achieved a differnet sound over time? 2. the new Ayre needs lots of time to settle in to achieve a similar sound? 3. the older audio quest rca cables aren't "good enough" for the new ayre technology or 4. is itunes as a playback option not as good as a cd played through a cd player? or 5. I am missing something else? Any input would be great. Almost seems like I need to turn the volume up a notch or two with the mac mini/dac combo to achieve similar sound as the cd player. Thanks -DME

I did follow all set up instructions. Embarrassed to report that unplugging the power cord and plugging it back solved the problem. It appears that the unit needed to be re-set and the re-plugging fixed it. Works perfect now. Great sound and easy to use.

Just set up new Ayre QB9 and new Mac Mini (2010) system. Using older Audio Research pre amp and PSE amp. Using RCA cables into pre amp. Followed set up Ayre website directions for Apple computer. Loaded several cds onto itunes. No audio coming out of stereo. The QB9 shows 44 when itunes is playing a song but can't get audio to speakers. What am I missing? Any help would be most welcome. Thx