Mac Mini Toslink

[Raym87]

Can anyone please advise on the quality of the Mac Mini (2010) Toslink output with particular respect to jitter. The general consensus is that Toslink is inherently more prone to jitter than Coax. So how good (or bad) is the Toslink on the Mini.

 

[seta]

Mac Mini's toslink is pretty ok and in my opinion better than early USB implementations, however using newer USB to SPDIF converters (such as hiFace, Halide, Wavelength, etc) there will be significant improvements. Looking at your list of highly resolving equipments, I would suggest you look into a good USB converter.

 

 

 

[Raym87]

Thanks for the reply seta. I do have a HiFace (unmodified) but prefer the sound out of the Toslink. The HiFace sounds harsh / gritty or whatever you want to call it.

The Moon does have a direct USB input but it's nowhere near as good as the S/PDIF.

I am considering the Musical Fidelity V-Link but thats not available for a couple of weeks yet...Chris's review rates it very well. Worth a try maybe?

 

[seta]

The original hiFace seems to be quite picky with subsequent SPDIF input implementation down the line. I think it got something to do with its un-isolated power supply. I had one and it didn't work for me, while it works great for my buddy. I am now using a Halide Bridge, which is fantastic.

 

 

[realhifi]

The optical out in the Mini is not bad at all. In some ways it can feel more organic than the USB outs. That said, USB out into a Rega Dac beats the optical cleanly. Depends a lot of your dac and which ever you think sounds better...IS!

 

[khollister]

I just loaded a playlist in Amarra to try the toslink input on the Rega (Lifatec mini-toslink, the white glass one) and I saw this post.

 

I agree, the USB has a solidity and blackness that the toslink doesn't have directly out of the Mini. The treble has a veneer of slight grain that is not there on USB. It's a little "splashier" sounding.

 

Guess an EVO or Offramp is in my future for hi-res stuff