Rob wrote:
I'm not convinced that the DAC/analogue amplifier in my Mac Mini is all
it might be - the sound, while not unpleasant, appears to be rather
dull, at least compared to the DAC of an AV amplifier when fed the
optical output.

So, I'm thinking of a DAC to improve the sound. It does appear the sky's
the limit, but this caught my eye:

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/TC-7510/about.html

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Rob

Have a look at http://www.avihifi.co.uk/avid/avid.html for a little item
on using the Mac Mini. OK it's written in marketing speak as it's
selling AVI's speakers (which WILL of course be excellent)but there is a
link to a PDF article at the bottom of the page. In this, the writer
says he used the optical out on the Mac in order to be able to use his
external DAC.

I have a Mac iBook which has Firewire and USB connections but no optical
out. Years ago I bought an Edirol USB DAC (for use with a PC before I
saw the light)and that works fine. A mate of mine got the current
version of the same thing (Edirol UA-1EX) which offers in/out for forty
odd quid and seems to do a decent job.

For recording I have an M-Audio Firewire 410 but that would be overkill
for your requirements (phantom power, low latency monitoring and all
those goodies).

As for Mac v. PC, each has pros and cons. Gamers tend not to go for
macs. I support PCs for a living and use mac at home.

Roy.