sound quality of 3.5mm port?

Question

sound quality of 3.5mm port?

I am considering buying a mac mini + large hard drive to connect to my hi-fi system, specifically to store my CD collection, uncompressed - which is actually cheaper than a dedicated CD storage cabinet. Unfortunately, I note that the mini only has a 3.5mm headphone jack output which should work but doesn't really match the Aux. input of my hi-fi amp.

The question is, therefore, is the headphone jack up to the job? Has anyone else followed this route? The alternative would be a Brennan JB7 - http://www.brennan.co.uk/ - but I'd prefer the interface of iTunes.

Mac mini

Posted on Jun 16, 2011 8:47 AM

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Answer 1

Phoney

Level 1

15 points

Jun 16, 2011 9:07 AM in response to Ray Tomlinson

"Good quality audio" means different things to different people. But the Mac Mini has three different audio output options: Analog Stereo, Optical TOSLINK, and HDMI. With HDMI, the advantage is that you can, in theory, get 7.1 uncompressed. But that content is limited to Blu-ray and some rare forms of Audio-only DVD.

The simplest bet, I think, is TOSLINK, which is a digital optical connection. You won't notice by looking, but with the correct adapter, you can attach an optical cable to the stereo audio output connector on the Mini. Alternately, since you also want video, attach an HDMI cable from the Mac to your AVReceiver, and then run an HDMI cable to your TV. You know that Apple sells a small remote that can be used with their Front Row software, right? Front Row is a TV-friendly GUI to your iTunes library. It comes with the Mac OS.

I don't know if iTunes will let you use uncompressed CD Audio. Probably.

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Answer 2

Jun 16, 2011 10:11 AM in response to Phoney

Unfortunately, that won't work. I simply want to get CD quality audio out of the mini into my hi-fi amp - which doesn't have a digital input - hence the question "is the headphone jack up to the job?".

I know I can replace the amp with one that has a digital connection but I have a perfectly serviceable amp already. And no, I don't want video, the TV is in a different part of the room from the Hi-fi. I'll need the HDMI output to connect the mini to some sort of monitor (I'm thinking of using a small TV for this) Perhaps there is some way of taking an audio feed separately from the HDMI socket?

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Jun 16, 2011 10:21 AM in response to Ray Tomlinson

The digital to audio converter in the Mac mini is adequate but not stellar. If you want higher quality conversion and don't want to replace your amp with one with an optical input, then either you'll want to get a monitor with HDMI that would also have an audio output for use with external A/V receivers (and you'll want to look into the converter quality of the monitor; many probably won't be any better than the Mac mini's, if that good), or look into a USB to audio device. Some are of very high quality, though with pricetags to match.

Regards.

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Answer 4

Jun 17, 2011 3:58 AM in response to varjak paw

Doh! Great idea Dave, why didn't I think of that?

I think I'll look for either a USB or Firewire interface such as this - http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/saffire_pro_24/ - I'll also be able to plug a mic or desk in and use the mini for recording!

Thanks

Ray

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Answer 5

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Jun 17, 2011 6:48 AM in response to Ray Tomlinson

M-Audio is also a popular source for audio in/out boxes, so you probably will want to take a look at their products as well. Here are their USB boxes, but they have Firewire units as well:

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=USBinterfaces

Cheers.

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