Installing the UpTone Audio MMK in a 2014 Mac mini

[bobfa]

I have recently been working on my audio system to improve sound quality and to reduce the physical size needs of the system.  I also wanted to have a Mac as the control computer.  To that end I have an UpTone Audio JS-2 powering my Mytek DAC+ and a new 2014 Mac mini.  I thought I would post a few pictures and some notes about my install.  Thanks to @Superdad for the great products and support!

 

 

The Mac mini is a 2014 model with 16GB of RAM and a Core I7 processor and 512GB of PCieSSD from Apple.  If you have taken an older mini apart there are some subtle differences that are covered in the help from UpTone Audio.  I took a bunch of pictures that should help others along with my own visual memory!

 

To start with the 2104 model has a different base that you have to "pop" off instead of twist off:

 

After you remove the bottom and take off the internal cover with the WiFi antenna the fragile antenna cable has to come off

:

 

Next you have to remove the fan.  The little connector pops up from the board and there are three screws holding the fan down:

 

Next you have to remove the IR and the PCIE connectors:  (That PCIE thing looks scary so be careful):

 

 

Now you have to remove the one screw holding the mother board and tray into the computer.  You also need to disconnect the power supply connector from the motherboard.  I forgot to get a picture of that but you can see it next to the PCIE connector above.  Note that the first time you try to slide the mother board out it is HARD to move.  You cannot take it off until the mother board is partly out of the Mac:

 

 

 

 

 

Now it is time to get the power supply out.   There is a single screw holding the power supply to the case.  You can see it in the picture below.    I did not get a picture of the little catch holding the connector to the case!!  Follow the notes and the fixit docs.  Also do not lose the rubber boot for the power supply AC connector you will need it if you ever reverse this process:

 

NOTE: I forgot to put the washer and the screw back into the case to hold the frame down so maybe do that NOW!:

 

Now it is time to get the new power supply interface board into the system.  You need to hook up the power supply connector and the interface cable to the new fan controller:

 

Check the tape on the bottom of the PS board and slip it carefully into the motherboard mounting frame:

 

Following the interactions put the washer and the nut on the DC jack.  I did not put the optional nut on the coax jack:

 

 

WHEW we are getting close. Plug the power supply cable into the mother board and we are ready to CAREFULLY slide things back together:

 

Since the Website will not let me upload any more files I will continue this with a second post......

 

-RJF

 

 

 

[bobfa]

OK second part!  As you are putting the Mac mini back together be really careful of the wires and all the tabs around the motherboard tray. Note also the EMI pads near the power switch feel like they can be damaged:

 

Once the mother board is back into the machine the fan controller needs to be hooked up and the other connections for the IR and the PCIe need to be replaced. Follow the directions on inserting the ribbon cable into the fan controller and hook up the controller to the mother board:

 

 

Do not forget to install the screw holding the mother board tray in place! The wires to the fan are hooked into a cable control slot and they need to be un-hooked so the little board can be installed properly.  Also the ribbon cable will use one of the slots to keep it under control:

 

 

One of the last items is to put that WiFi antenna connector back on.  This is a P.I.T.A.  Take care with this as you do not want to break that last thing you are installing:

 

The final re-assembly is to put the shield plate with the WiFi antenna in place and to put the bottom of the computer back on.

 

Be sure to follow the instructions on checking the fan controller to make sure the fan is working.  Assuming that you are using the JS-2 hook up both cables and set the switches properly on the JS-2!

 

DONE!

 

--RJF

 

 

 

 

 

[bobfa]

Alex, 

 

Thanks for the kind words and I did not mean for you to have to  write a whole post!  You have a lot on your plate!

 

All,

 

I am tracking my progress on my Mac and stereo project on this thread:

 

 

Note that Alex is VERY right about the SQ here. I am very happy with this progress.  I have a lot of work to track over there!

 

--RJF

 

 

[bobfa]

Just go slow follow the instructions.  I would install the fan speed test utility first to make sure it works.  That WiFi antenna cable is fussy so take care with that.  

 

The directions that Alex has provided are very good and  would read them through and checkout the ifixit stuff.  I actually had two screens up on my iPad Pro next to where i was working so I could quickly review them