Mac Mini 2012 into Naim 52 is it possible?

Posted by: TPG on 21 October 2013

Hi there,

 

Is it possible to connect a Mac Mini latest version from either its Audio output into a Naim 52 olive or is there a way of doing this via a USB output from the Mac Mini the 52 only has Din inputs so are there some special cables that i can purchase, if using the headphones audio out on the mac Mini it would need to be mini jack to din?

 

Or would I need to buy a USB adaptor to Din.

 

Finally would I need a DAC as I think the latest Mini has a DAC built in?

 

Many thanks for any pointers.

 

Tim.

Posted on: 21 October 2013 by blorbed

Chord iChord 5 pin Din to 3.5mm Minijack.

 

I bought one recently to feed my iPhone/iPad/Mac Mini through an Airport Express 3.5mm audio output to my NAC 62.

Posted on: 21 October 2013 by TPG

Hi there,

 

Thanks for the replies but I just want to connect the Mac mini direct to the 52 I don't want to use an AE as that restricts the output to 320 I want to use JRiver MC18 with FLAC tracks.

 

Would it be better using the USB out of the Mini to some form of external DAC but it would need a Din plug to go into the 52?

 

Hope this makes sense?

 

Many thanks for your replies.

 

Tim.

Posted on: 21 October 2013 by SAT

Lots of historic stuff on here about Macs and dacs, I use a MacBook via Pure Music and HiFace into ndac and thence to 52 and am well pleased.

Posted on: 21 October 2013 by TPG

Hi there,

 

The Music steamer II sounds like an idea and maybe the way we have to go, but I did think as the Mini has a DAC built in then using a 3.5 jack to Din would be the easiest route, well that is what I hoped it would be.

 

I have tried searching for threads on using the audio output of the Mini via a Din to 3.5 jack but not seen anything pop up will spend some more time sifting through the threads.

 

Again thanks ever so much for the replies please keep them coming with any thoughts.

 

Many thanks, Tim.

Posted on: 21 October 2013 by TPG

Hi there,

 

I'm doing this for a friend, but I have my Mini playing into a Perreuax DP32 via a 3.5 jack to Toslink converter cable and via USB they both offer similar quality and my guess is there is no such thing as a Toslink to Din converter.

 

Sorry I should add I was really hoping to keep the cable connection count down so using the Music Streamer option means having to have a RCA to Din converter yet I was hoping for a straight USB DAC to Din all in one affair perhaps that is wishful thinking on my part, but one can hope. 

 

Now my friend is into Vinyl via a Whest Audio so his system is very good he wants to replace a CDS2 perhaps with a streaming system for his CD's.

 

I've no doubt that we can go down the USB route but I just wondered surely you should be able to connect the Mini direct to the 52 but I think we will have to try both routes and hear which one suits him.

 

Hope that explains where we're trying to get to.

 

Any other USB to DAC converters would be a help.

 

Many thanks, Tim.