Bottom cover replacement - 2010 Mac mini

[driven -- by sound]

Anyone have an audiophile tweak for replacing the rubber bottom cover of the 2010 Mac mini? The bottom of the mini is an odd critter - neither fully flat or fully aluminum. I was analyzing the bottom of the little one for Brass footers or just a better bottom for improved sonics.

[wgscott]

Anyone have an audiophile tweak for replacing the rubber bottom cover of the 2010 Mac mini? The bottom of the mini is an odd critter - neither fully flat or fully aluminum. I was analyzing the bottom of the little one for Brass footers or just a better bottom for improved sonics.

 

I have to confess the idea that the bottom cover in some way could change the sound quality and/or digital output never occurred to me, but it might be a good first step to try to detect any audible difference with the cover off and the cover on.

[orgel]

Anyone have an audiophile tweak for replacing the rubber bottom cover of the 2010 Mac mini?

 

I've seen one outfit that makes a pretty pricey one: the miniplat2 from http://ultrafi.biz/. Don't know anything about it other than what it says on the website, but here's a picture: http://www.audiostream.com/content/ultra-fi.

 

I put my mini (and external HD and DAC) up on VibraPod feet and cones, and that seemed to me to make a positive difference in SQ.

 

--David

[driven -- by sound]

I have to confess the idea that the bottom cover in some way could change the sound quality and/or digital output never occurred to me, but it might be a good first step to try to detect any audible difference with the cover off and the cover on.

 

Thanks. What I do know is moving the mini onto different platforms and surfaces changes the sound - improvements vary. Currently using Dayton speaker spikes (1.5") under the corners. But want to move to big bold brass 3"x3" footers. Either I change out the rubber plate or insert a platform in between bottom of mini and the footers. Hopefully, one of our members have gone down this road...

[wgscott]

A $375 (intro pricing $275) piece of acrylic. I guess in some sense, it would improve the clarity of the soundstage.

 

My 100 gallon acrylic aquarium was about $400.

[driven -- by sound]

I've seen one outfit that makes a pretty pricey one: the miniplat2 from http://ultrafi.biz/. Don't know anything about it other than what it says on the website, but here's a picture: http://www.audiostream.com/content/ultra-fi.

 

I put my mini (and external HD and DAC) up on VibraPod feet and cones, and that seemed to me to make a positive difference in SQ.

 

--David

 

Great! I'll have a look, as my own searches didn't return very much. I haven't even arrived at the site yet, and I'm already prepared for sticker shock!

[wgscott]

Thanks. What I do know is moving the mini onto different platforms and surfaces changes the sound - improvements vary. Currently using Dayton speaker spikes (1.5") under the corners. But want to move to big bold brass 3"x3" footers. Either I change out the rubber plate or insert a platform in between bottom of mini and the footers. Hopefully, one of our members have gone down this road...

 

When we grow vibration-sensitive crystals, sometimes we put them on a platform suspended by a child's bicycle or wagon inner-tube. It won't look pretty, but it does dampen vibrations. Another trick I have seen is to make a small metal platform and suspend it from some small chains or wires.