Current Mac Mini; No SPDIF?

I'm using usb to spdif converter on my mac mini/roon ,there are many products out there , belcanto, m2tech, etc.

Than spdif into DAC (guess 272 has spdif input :-))

Ralf

Oh, wait! There is one point: if you go with an usb/spdif converter please check twice the support for the newest mac os! I had problems and did a mac os downgrade again- now, everything runs perfectly!

Seems that apple has srill problems with newest os to detect/support usb devices!

Spec says:

"Audio line in mini-jack (digital/analog)"

It's a combined 3.5mm jack and optical digital port, same as the one they use on the MacBook line up as far as I can tell. Do double check this before purchase though.

Mattnbarns posted:

Spec says:

"Audio line in mini-jack (digital/analog)"

It's a combined 3.5mm jack and optical digital port, same as the one they use on the MacBook line up as far as I can tell. Do double check this before purchase though.

+1.   Use an optical lead that has a 3.5mm jack rather than one with an adapter (for example Wireworld Supernova)

Ah yes thanks for that. I think I have one of those somewhere!

to my knowledge this output has max CD resolution, or did they change the specs?

T38.45 posted:

to my knowledge this output has max CD resolution, or did they change the specs?

 

 

AFAIK the max is 24/96

So I assume if you play a 24/192 file it downsamples or will it refuse to play it?

Ryder35 posted:

So I assume if you play a 24/192 file it downsamples or will it refuse to play it?

Not sure.  I think the upper limit to SPDIF is 24/96.  Check out the recent thread on the Mini or search under 'Guido Fawkes' and' 'Mac Mini' (he used a Mini with optical out to a Naim DAC).  

Other than that Apple do a 14 day return policy which gives the possibility to trying it out.

Ryder35 posted:

Looking at adding a mac mini as a way to get Roon integration. Looking at the specs on the apple site the current one does not seem to have spdif/optical output, just hdmi and headphone out. So what is the best wat to connect to a 272?

I do not know whether the new mini has an optical S/PDIF output, but you can easily check. In either case, I would not connect the mini directly to the 272. A decent USB to S/PDIF converter with linear PSU and electrical (and, if you wish optical) output should ensure a better sound quality than a direct connection. Best, nbpf

Thanks everyone for the replies. One more question: can the USB on the mini be used to connect to the USB input on the 272?

I'm not an 272 expert but it seems that the usb port on the front of the 272 is only for usb disks and sticks that means direct accessible media!

if so, the answer is no- go with the usb/spdif converter or digital mini-jack out of the mac and connect it to the backend ports of the 272.

Thanks all,

Got it connected via optical at the moment. Sound quality is not up to the internal stramer but I guess that is to be expected?