It'll be USB. With the Mac mini I'm not sure how the TOSlink could work. I'd probably need to buy something else to adapt it, right?
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- Thread starter daneoni
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Oh yeah, that's why I figured USB would be more flexible, the Mini doesn't have that as an output (and the MBPs lost it in 2016 I believe - it was in the analog 3.5mm headphone jack) and I guess that's your primary listening machine too.
Yeah, the Mac mini is my primary listening machine.
My MBP is on the cusp of being "vintage". It's a 2012 cMBP. I guess Apple made the rMBP from 2012 vintage a week ago. Odd how my cMBP, also a mid-2012 didn't become vintage.
So, are you saying that my MBP should have that TOSlink built into the headphone jack? Hmm... maybe I'll order a cable for that someday and try it out.
Yeah, it's pretty neat, use a regular 3.5mm phono jack, it's analog stereo out, but use this:
http://a.co/5EVBYE9
And the phono looking jack to the right connects to an digital/optical port inside the same jack.
http://a.co/5EVBYE9
And the phono looking jack to the right connects to an digital/optical port inside the same jack.
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Thanks for that. I ordered the cable just to have on hand when/if I want to use it with the MacBook Pro, or maybe some other piece of future gear I might own.
Right now the USPS tells me I should get my new Schiit by tomorrow.
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Let us know how the Schiit works out; I love those notices you receive when a parcel is on the way.
The anticipation is always part of the fun.
Will do.
You're right. The anticipation is all part of the experience and fun of new stuff!
My new Schiit arrived this afternoon. Just hitched it up and starting listening to some tracks.
Big difference instantly with the DAC in place vs. just the Mac mini acting as the DAC. Huge difference in fact.
With the Magni 3 amplifier and the Mac mini combo I had to turn the volume up over 80% on the Mac and on the Magni I had to have it around 90% up to drive the Sennheisers at a decent level.
Now with the Modi Multibit and Magni as a combo I no longer can use the Mac mini with volume control as it gets cut off in favor of the Modi multibit and sends only the audio via USB. The volume is solely controlled on the Magni and I only need to be about 40% to 50% really get some hard sound out of it.
I started gradually raising the volume on the Magni and when I got to about 65% to 70% it was approaching a threshold that I didn't want to cross. I could sense that I was getting into the decibel levels that would start to do damage to my ears.
So I sort of retract my earlier statement that the Magni 3 might be at its limits for driving these Sennheiser 300 ohm cans. With the right equipment, such as a Modi Multibit DAC, the Magni 3 can easily power the 650's and probably blow out your ear drums long before the 650's explode.
Big difference instantly with the DAC in place vs. just the Mac mini acting as the DAC. Huge difference in fact.
With the Magni 3 amplifier and the Mac mini combo I had to turn the volume up over 80% on the Mac and on the Magni I had to have it around 90% up to drive the Sennheisers at a decent level.
Now with the Modi Multibit and Magni as a combo I no longer can use the Mac mini with volume control as it gets cut off in favor of the Modi multibit and sends only the audio via USB. The volume is solely controlled on the Magni and I only need to be about 40% to 50% really get some hard sound out of it.
I started gradually raising the volume on the Magni and when I got to about 65% to 70% it was approaching a threshold that I didn't want to cross. I could sense that I was getting into the decibel levels that would start to do damage to my ears.
So I sort of retract my earlier statement that the Magni 3 might be at its limits for driving these Sennheiser 300 ohm cans. With the right equipment, such as a Modi Multibit DAC, the Magni 3 can easily power the 650's and probably blow out your ear drums long before the 650's explode.
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Listening to some Debussy (Preludes Book 1, Daniel Barenboim) on my Bowers and Wilkins P9’s.
And are they still as good as ever?
Looks great; make sure you enjoy it.
I shall.
I'm quite pleased with all of my recent purchases.
How is that Astell & Kern A&Ultima SP1000 treating you? Well, I hope.
Nice! It doesn't hurt that their equipment has a bit of an Apple design aesthetic. Looks right at home next to the Apple Mini
It sure does. The aesthetics of both the Mac mini and the Schiit stack are quite pleasing to look at. They're even better when listening to HI-Fi audio.Nice! It doesn't hurt that their equipment has a bit of an Apple design aesthetic. Looks right at home next to the Apple Mini
Very well, the audio quality (and sound) are amazing, the heft and feel of it is wonderful, - it is just a physical pleasure to use - but I have yet to master all of the details of the device. (Such as how to prepare playlists).
Your recent purchases (that splendid Schiit) look absolutely stunning.
What kind of headphones or playback device are you using with it?
Usually, I use my Bowers & Wilkins P5s with it, as I use the Astell & Kern SP 1000 (and indeed, the iPod Touch) for when I am travelling, on planes, trains, and when stuck in my room when based in, or working in, some fairly inhospitable places abroad.
I love the P5s; they hit that "sweet spot" of being exceptionally comfortable to wear for ages yet are also exceedingly portable, and the sound quality is quite simply excellent.
B&W make larger headphones; I gave my P7s to my sister-in-law as she wished to use good headphones while preparing classes; but the P7s, and, I suspect the P9s (which I am contemplating purchasing) are too big to stash comfortably in a briefcase when one is travelling and are featly heavy to wear.
When I had the P7s, I used them at home, when listening to music on my iPod classic (or computer). Thus, I've never used the P7s with the A&K, but I have no doubt that the sound quality would be first rate.
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No, I haven't actually seen them anywhere in the wild (or in a store) just yet, but my eyes are open and I am looking forward to trying them out (and seriously debating buying them, because, as you know, I just love B&W).
Main Rig
DAC - Schiit Modi Multibit
Amp - Garage1217 Project Ember 1.0 with Super Charger | Massdrop CTH | Project Kameleon 2 by Solderdude
Headphones - Sennheiser HD 650 | Massdrop Sennheiser HD 58X
EQ - Sonarworks or Project Kameleon 2
Others
HD 598
HD 598 CS
Portable amp - Fiio E12
AirPods (not really audiophile grade though)
DAC - Schiit Modi Multibit
Amp - Garage1217 Project Ember 1.0 with Super Charger | Massdrop CTH | Project Kameleon 2 by Solderdude
Headphones - Sennheiser HD 650 | Massdrop Sennheiser HD 58X
EQ - Sonarworks or Project Kameleon 2
Others
HD 598
HD 598 CS
Portable amp - Fiio E12
AirPods (not really audiophile grade though)
Very nice.
Now didn't you recently purchase a new CD ripper or something? With the A&K I'm sure you'll want to have ripped your music with the best codecs (FLAC) to get the lossless, superior sound out of it.
That's always my recommendation for closed headphones, they're the reference in their price segment (and even vs. much more expensive cans) as far as I'm concerned. Easily driven, incredible sound, built like a tank on top of it all (mine were my "road warriors" for years).
Do you find the new wireless P5's (which I believe you have) to be any different to the old P5's? I read somewhere (can't remember where) that they weren't as good, although I cannot imagine why?