I have been given a G4,1.25 gH, LAN but no WiFi Mac Mini with only 20 gb of free space (but for free!). I have cleaned it throughly and have installed Playback on it. I'ts now configurated so that I insert a CD and it rips it and stores it without the need of mouse, screen, keyboard.
I'd love to experiment a bit with streaming files, so I (think I) have 3 options:
A) Connect it to the network via Ethernet, in another room than my living room, then have a (cabled) streamer such as a Squeezebox into my SN's DAC, in the living room.
B) Download Squeezecenter in it and on my Android phone, then connect it directly into the SN's DAC with an optical cable such as the Supernova 6 and command it with my phone seeing it as a SB device.
C) Like option B) but with a USB cable and a USB-S/PDIF converter such as the HiFace.
A) and C) have similar costs (a SB streamer vs. a HiFace + cable). B) is slightly cheaper.
Having just quality in mind, which option would you choose? Straight answers (if possible), please.
Thanks,
Max
Posted on: 04 June 2012 by matpip
If you just want to experiment the streaming option, then go for option B (cheaper), later on you will decide if makes sense for you to get a bigger mac-mini or a nas.
Sound-wise, A and C will be probably better...
Posted on: 04 June 2012 by Guido Fawkes
Option C definitely with a G4 Mac. The G4 Mac can only run up to Leopard so make sure the new hiFace will work though. The old one would, but you needed drivers. I hope the new one does, but you need to check - I just seem to remember you need Snow Leopard or Lion which are Intel only OSs.
The original MF V-LInk works for sure, but it is not a cheap option as you need two Wireworld cables (Ultraviolet and Supernova).
Sorry but I do not think option B will work - has the G4 MM got an optical out? I don't think it has and so plugging in a Supernova 6 will not do anything. If my memory serves me well it is analogue only.
Posted on: 05 June 2012 by Massimo Bertola
Guy,
thanks for your reply and reminder! I don't know for sure that a G4 MacMini has the optical facility. I can borrow a first series HiFace and try with my very good Stereovox digital coax.
On the other hand, I just want to try replaying a few digital files into my SN, so perhaps my MacBook would be better, and it has optical out. It's just that I had this free MacMini, it's a nice object and as with any nice object these times, you are unconsciously forced to want to use it...
Sometimes I think that Modern Age of compulsive consumerism has begun with Apple.
M.
