why is mac mini better than airport express please

quote:

Originally posted by sjw:
I'm using a dacmagic and airport express with a mac in another room but i gather a mac mini plugged into the dacmagic via optical is better??

i've been guided towards vnc to use a mac mini but this is very fiddly

At the moment i use an ipod touch to choose tracks using apple remote which is great - can i still use apple remote to control tracks if the mac mini is plugged straight into the dacmagic?

thanks stephen

Yes you can use the Apple Remote to select tracks directly played on iTunes on the MacMini.

If you connect the MacMini direct to the DACMagic you can use high resolution (24/88.2 and 24/96) files which you can't use with the Airport Express. You may find the sound quality is better direct from the MacMini, but this is debatable. With the MacMini direct you have the possibility of using a USB device such as the HiFace which *MAY* improve sound quality, or you may find that USB direct to the DACMagic is better than optical.

Really the only way to decide is to try the combinations for yourself.

Eloise

thank you bit lost on this

if the music is coming from the cds i ripp here then what is the file resolution generally?
cheerio

16 / 44.1 which the AE can pass.

James

sorry i meant if i use a mini direct what should the settings be?

16 / 44.1 although its worth playing with audio midi and trying 24bit.

James

To confuse you further :

I use itunes, PC connected to dacmagic via optical.

Even though source is ripped CD (apple lossless) limited to 16/44.1 signal, if I set my PC digital out to 24/96 sound quality is better !?

Please don't ask me why.

Philippe (Should you know why, please tell me !!!)