Mac Mini Headless - help required

Nick, is your mini up to date. Not had any problem with mine at all

It's running Yosemite 10.10.3. Sees the SD USB as USB audio Dac but won't recognise the HD USB. Am I using the wrong cable???

Playing music through Audirvana + at mo. Can't tell how different it is, but could do with trying to get the HD input sorted.

mine actually shows as Hugo. I think it shows this in midi under utilities. Shall i turn mine on and see if i can help

Yes that would be great. I've tried it through system preferences. But any help would be appreciated.

have you tried the HD USB before, do you know it works

No and no. Which is what makes me think that's the problem...

Ok in system preferences then sound, if i am plugged into the SD port on Hugo then it shows as USB DAC. If i then plug into the HD USB port on Hugo it shows as Hugo in preferences.

have you tried another USB port on the mac, im on the port furthest from the power connector

Mine reconises the Hugo on the HD port.  Three albums in and I'm damned impressed with it so far.  Masses of detail and clarity although the sound is lighter than with my Qute which is strange and taking some getting used to.  Anyone who dares to say bits are bits to me from this point on is going to get a right mouth full because the difference is incredible. Only fly in the ointment is that my new Apple remote doesnt work, not having much luck with Apple so far.  It needs fine tuning to see if I can get back some of the body to the music but there is no doubt my Qute is for sale as of tomorrow.

Have now tried all USB ports.

Same as you on SD input.

No joy on HD input.

Looks like HD input on Hugo is the issue.

The remote can be disabled, it maybe worth checking. I have to have mine disabled as its the same remote for my amp

Its looking that way. Id just look in, the apple icon top left then about this mac then system report then USB down the left hand column. Do you see any reference to Hugo

Nope. In SD input I see USB Dac and some details including burr brown chip, but nothing when I use the HD input.

So, back the Hugo must go for repair...

Damn really sorry to hear that Nick. People have mentions these USB inputs are so delicate. 

Thats aweful news Nick, sorry to hear it and I hope you get it sorted quickly and cheaply

I'm not sure it's awful - slightly irritating maybe, but awful - nah! 

This could be the worst day of my life, HH - no, let's not go there...

Hey ho, it's in warranty (or should be). I'll keep you posted.

Isn't the worst day of your life loosing a beloved parent? Or possibly beloved child?

I think you doth complain a little too much ....

ATB from George

George, I was harking back to a thread which got me into hot water a while back. HH will remember it.

Fear not, I am at most mildly discombobulated.

Though I am disconambulated!

Best from George

If its under warranty I agree, although perhaps, very irritating, or fairly irritating at least

Sounds painful George, you need a cream for it

That sounds far worse!

Just a quick up date on this.  the Mac and Audirvana are now up and running and I have even got the remote working which is a plus.  As a result of this my lovely Unitiqute 2 will be listed on a popular website tonight so that someone else can enjoy it - as excellent as it is for this purpose it is outperformed by a significant degree by the Mac.

I've set up Audirvana as per their guide and feedback from on here and am very happy with the sq; much better soundstage, very clear and improved detail.  In comparison the Qute sounds closed in and almost as though the treble has been rolled off and the mid and lower mid frequencies enhanced which results in a heavier, less open and slower sound.  My intention was to run this headless but it looks so good on my TV that I'm pretty happy just getting up to select albums until the Audirvana remote app comes out.  I've got VNC working but its a little clunky and I really can't be bothered with it.  All in all a big improvement and I wished I'd done it sooner.  I will be leaving my source well alone for sometime and wasting my money on other areas of the system.

Many thanks for all your help.

Great to see you all sorted. I may give Audirvana a quick try this weekend before i make my decision on the Aurender. Was it easy to setup

Yes, there is a very good guide on page 38 about the changes to make to get the best out of it and they really did make a difference.  I've pointed it to my nas over ethernet and it works very well.  Pretty easy to be honest