headless mac mini

The headphone output of the Mac can be used to connect optically to the optical input of the DAC (ask your dealer for the suitable cable). This is the simpler and cheaper solution, although it will not give the ultimate SQ.

You can alternatively use an Airport Express, with the same connection.

Use iTune on the Mac and  control it from the iPad with the Remote.app.

I would suggest making first tests connecting a screen and a keyboard to your Mac.

Once everything works, you may unplug screen and keyboard and control the Mac from the iPad using the Sreens.app.

Hope this helps

Just get an optical cable and run it from your Mac to the your DAC (assuming DAC Magic supports TosLink; I think my Chord Gem was the only DAC that didn't). A TCI Coral Toslink will be more than adequate. Then get an App such as Apple's free Remote app for your iPad to control your iTunes library. 

The optical cable can move the bits from your Mac to DAC, but cannot transfer electrical stuff. As the electrical stuff is rubbish (i.e. noise RFI, EMI etc.) then this is exactly what you want. So your DAC will work at its best. 

I wouldn't use a USB/S-PDIF convertor with the DAC Magic and I think the cost is disproportionate to your DAC. Although the Mac's S/PDIF is highish jitter, I'd give it go with just a free app and £30 Toslink cable as this may be all you need to get a decent sound.

You can use the same cable in a more costly set up if you decide to go that way later. If you were going to spend more then I'd recommend upgraded the DAC rather than elaborate interconnects, but I think you'll find the sound is good without the need tospend too much. 

Good luck, Guy

Wi-fi needs to be on on both the Mini and iPad. Once the wi-fi is on the Mini you can use Apple's Screen Sharing to 'see' what is going on with the Mini (never turn the wi-fi off or you will have to connect the Mini to a monitor - it is not possible to connect it to an iMac). This is assuming you have another Apple Mac in the house. Otherwise you can by a cable to connect the Mini to a tv.

I had a similar system to you running a Mini to a Transporter then on to a Nait 2. a 3.5 min jack to TOSlink was used when I wanted to play Spotify. The sound quality was OK but not as good as streaming from the Mini to the Transporter. Mini currently feeding a SuperUniti which is such fun!

Regards

Neil

The iPad talk to the Mac mini through Airport (Apple Wifi).

You can also use the USB connection between the Mac and the DAC,

I do not know if it gives a better SQ however.

Forgot! USB should be better (System Preferences>Sound).

Just noticed your DAC has a USB input - you could try this.

You need to set the Audio-Midi set-up in utilities to your DAC.  

It should show up as an option. 

My Apple shows a Musical Fidelity V-Link option so I'm guessing yours would show the Cambridge DAC Magic. Yours is an adaptive rather than asynchronous USB so I suspect it will sound about the same as the Toslink. Worth trying though if you have a USB cable around. Adaptive means it adapts to the computer rather than asynchronous where it re-clocks. 

I use an Apple Airport Extreme for wireless, but any wireless should work so if your router has built in wireless then just try that. 

a few important points:

If your music is stored on a NAS, create an Automator flow that first connects the NAS, waits a few seconds and then starts up iTunes. This will make iTunes not forget it's library location if you use the Mini for ripping. You can autolaunch this script on startup just like you would with iTunes.

Download and setup XLD to automatically rip CD's, find metadata and add them to library. Then set it to eject the CD and quit XLD. This way you can just insert a disc, have it ripped and ejected without needing looking after. More securely than iTunes would. In CD settings, set it to open XLD when inserting a CD, in iTunes only show.

It is hard to completely turn off without a screen, I have not found an easy way yet. iPad with 'Desktop Connect' would do, but is a nuisance. It's easier to set power settings to just go into sleep mode after 5 to 10 min without use (music playing counts as use). Set 'wake for network acces' and it will wake up when asked by the Remote app. Sleep mode is also started with a short power button press.

Just cutting the power will result in occasional startup errors, where it can't find the OS. A few restarts will solve this but it is unnerving.

A good way to improve the digital out is a M2Tech Hiface or similar device.

It the HDD noise is bothering you, open it up and insert an SSD. Much much faster booting, and no noise except for the fan.

You will need a screen sharing app, or preferably another mac, for installing updates and fine-tuning the settings.

> A good way to improve the digital out is a M2Tech Hiface or similar device.

I think you can output to the DAC Magic using USB without such a device; these devices are good when you your DAC is S/PDIF only such as the SuperNait or Naim DAC. I know the Chord Gem DAC uses USB directly and you can do the same with the DAC Magic.

Some very good tips there, Paaj.   

true, the DacMagic does USB and would work just fine. I did read some remarks about the spdif inputs sounding better on it though, so maybe a future upgrade (but another DAC would be a more obvious step of course)

thanks for the replies

i've got a bit better idea 

if i use the usb lead into the mac mini what should the settings be on the mac please once you've gone to sound settings on the mac with apple losses 

thanks

Assduming standard red book CDs just leave the audio at default settings and most you will need to pick it from the sound output in the system prefs.

Upping everything to max will bring nothing, it just gives the mac more to do.

If using itunes there are a number of apps to changing sound output on the fly depending on source material. I recommend not falling for ammara as there is bit perfect which costs like 4 bucks.

sorry that a makes no sense to me at all

 could some one tell me what the settings should be please??

thanks stephen

On your Mac Mini - run the Audio Midi application and if you connect your DAC with USB, you should see it on the list of ones you can select. 

the mac mini was previously working with iTunes over apple wifi airport express

after only 2 years the logic board went and is mid repair with apple 

on its return i want to connect it direct to the dac magic and use the iPad to control it

 i've never done this before and wanted to know how to

A) control it with the ipad

B) get the best sound quality out of it!

i can understand i connect it with the optical out i was using from the airport express but don't understand the various ways to connect via usb 

i.e. what the settings are in the system preferences /audi midi 44???96?? which i don't understand at all

and what on earth is a hi face  and would that be a benefit?

thanks!

Download the Remote app (free) to control iTunes.

HiFace (reasonably cheap) out the back of the Mini to DAC.

Regards

Neil

The setup you are choosing (and especially headless) requires at least a bit of understanding of the underlaying mechanics to get started and have it working satisfyingly. Maybe this is not the best way? Just a thought...

In Audio Midi, set it to 441khz if you are just playing CD-rips, iTunes downloads etc. Bitrate doesn't really matter, I normally keep it at 24bit just in case I need some volume adjustments. If you also have high-res material, buy 'Bitperfect', a €4 program that automatically switches samplerates to adjust to the playing song.

If connecting with USB: Right-click built-in output and select it as output for warnings, right-click the dacmagic and select sound-output. This will stop warning sounds coming over your speakers.

I think connecting with optical will have a similar flow, but have not installed it that way now.

download remote app, start itunes.

In remote-app settings, add library, this will show a four digit code.

in iTunes on the left, select devices/ipad and fill in the code.

Now the are coupled and ready to go.

A HiFace is a USB device that has a coaxial spdif output with better clock than the built-in optical output. Forget about it for now

thank you very much

Try Utilities>Audio Midi.

Neil

What about the Output settings?  Line Out (digital) or some such is what you are looking for on the Mac.  The DAC Magic is only a "source" to your pre, not to the Mac; the Mac is the original source.

After you get this working, try it with USB instead, and tell us which you prefer, if either.

Thanks,

Nick