Music server nirvana

[joshnich]

For those thinking of adding a music server to your system I
offer the following experience.
Due to a bunch of computer upgrades. I found myself with an extra Mac
Mini. And although I have a commercial music server from Olive, I thought it
would be fun to hook this extra Mac mini up and to my amazement it has exceeded
all expectations.

I used a program called Jollyfast that allows me to access
the computer with any of my other Macs so I didn’t need a monitor on that
computer which is pretty cool in itself. First I used the usb out on the Mac
and used my Benchmark USB DAC – a well-reviewed and really nice DAC unit. I was
really happy with the sound and the ease of use. I remembered a thread from a
few years ago that was started by forum member Phillip Barrett. His pov was
that a pro audio fire wire dac would outperform virtually any TOS of UsB
connected Dac due to the inherent superiority of fire wire versus the other
connections. Well I had remembered that and was in a pro audio store and
purchased a Behringer FCA202 fire wire audio interface for 99.00.

Hooked this little bugger up and wow. Significant
improvement over the benchmark at about 1/10^th the cost. Very very impressive. Hard to imagine
better sounding digital audio. I do BTW rip my cds in apple lossless.

This server is virtually as easy to use as the Olive and to
my ears sounds significantly better.

So if you are an old analog guy looking to take the plunge
this is something you should consider. I do not know a lot about digital audio
so it means nothing to me but for those who do know and are interested the
behringer us a 24 bit/ 96kHz

Oh I did need to install a free program form Rogueamoeba.com
that let me choose the firewire as the output. Again this was suggested by
Philip Barrett. The original post can be found here http://community.klipsch.com/forums/p/119335/1203603.aspx#1203603

Josh

[Marvel]

Josh,

Great to hear that. The Minis are very quiet and small, and are excellent for that use. Is yours a newer Intel version or one of the G4s? We have one of the G$s at work, but it's in a box, not being used (and won't be, for various reasons)

Bruce

[khorn51]

Let me get this right your saying that Behringer Interface beat the Benchmark Dac One?

Behringer has about as bad a repatation for cheap semi pro gear as Bose does to klipsch guys.

Benchmark is very well regared in the pro audio world and no one ever talks any good about Behringer.

[psg]

Thanks! I'm investigating thing and am overwhelmed with all the options!

So I see that the audio interfcae uses balanced outputs, right? Using adapters to a home-grade pre-amp or receiver?

[joshnich]

Its an intel based mac mini. And the outputs are labeled balanced/unbalanced, They are 1/4 inch plugs. I just picked up some 1/4 inch to rca cables at the Guitar Center. The benchmark uses the USB and the Behringer is using the firewire which is apparently why it works so well. In the original thread from Philip Barret it has to do with clocking issues inherent with USB versus the Firewire.

All I know is that it sounds great.

Josh

[Guest David H]

I too am using a mac mini and Itunes for my main 2 channel system. For my theater I have extended the media from the mini to an apple TV. What a great device, no need for a computer in every room.

I am also surprised that a stock Behringer unit is that good, I have several modified units that are good, but I dont think I would gauge them against a Benchmark.

The Mac Mini is an excellent audio server solution.

Dave

[tromprof]

Let me get this right your saying that Behringer Interface beat the Benchmark Dac One?

Behringer has about as bad a repatation for cheap semi pro gear as Bose does to klipsch guys.

I have a couple of the Berhinger DEQ-2496 units and think they are fabulous. The build quality is a little suspect, but they perform very well, and the older of the two has been trouble free for the 2 years I have been running it. While some of their products are garbage, it seems that a least some of their stuff is ok (kind of like some US cars I have owned [] ).

[Blvdre]

I'm really glad you looked into this Josh. I bookmarked that thread in my research of server configs, and since I have a firewire out on my macbook, I wanted to try Phillips suggestion (I've yet to do so, but am inspired now). For those of you who are raising your eyebrows (understandably so), you should go back and read the technical explanation. That may or may not shed light on why this combo sounds so good.