[Mr-Ram]

     I bought a pair of Magnepan 1.6qr and am building a system to drive them properly,  after a little research and input from a friend who has done his homework I think I have decided on the following:

Speakers-Magnepan 1.6qr (expect i will eventually have 1.7i)  10 Ga Blue Jeans speaker cable and RCAs
Integrated Amp-Odyssey Audio Cyclops with some nice upgrades (I love the enthusiasm Klaus has for his art)
DAC-Schiit Bifrost Multibit
Server-Mini Mac, with upgraded processor, RAM and Fusion drive using Amarra player, no internet so streaming is out of the question)
Brickwall 8 outlet surge protector.

While not a true audiophile, I am learning the difference the proper equipment can make and hoping my system will serve me in my small listening area, looking for quality of reproduction of some of my favorite ladies voices, not interested in too much volume.

Am I on the right track?

[JLM]

Odyssey, Schiit, and Mini Mac are good choices.  I have Amarra but find it's quirks/cost aren't worth the bother versus just using iTunes.

Order some Blue Jean interconnects and USB cable while you're at it, but hold off on the surge protector unless you fear surges or until you hear the effects of or somehow know you have dirty power.  And you'll need some way to control the Mini Mac (video screen/keyboard/mouse or iPhone/iPad).

Seems like you're well on your way.

[ArthurDent]

Greetings & Welcome to AC Mr-Ram   

[Phil A]

Welcome!

[dB Cooper]

Good start!!! I'd save the money on the CPU upgrade though if the Mini is only going to see audio server duties; even the base processor has more than enough power for audio, esp since you are outboarding D/A conversion If anything I'd upgrade the RAM before the CPU. Welcome to the sweet spot.

[roscoe65]

If I were doing this I would rethink the computer configuration.  I would use the Mac Mini as a file server/core system and use a Microrendu as a player.  You'll spend a lot of money trying to optimize the Apple only to get a worse result than using the microrendu.

[Big Red Machine]

I like your gear but skip those Blue Jeans cables. They're cheap because they're cheap. Not very good. Might as well go with zip cord and Walmart specials until you can swing for some better cables.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Great start.  I own a pair of 1.6's and MMG's.  If you have your heart set on the Oddysey, go with the upgraded Plus version or better.  The 1.6's love power and current.  The more the better.  Micro and macro dynamics dramatically improve as does musicality and bass control.  I use a Pass amp at 500wpc. 

The 10g Blue Jeans speaker wire is good. I have some and have tried more expensive cable and have not noticed much difference in sound  ( although I have not tried $500 or better wire).  I would not go any smaller than 12g.   There are better IC's than BJC's but they are fine starting out.  These Belden 8402 are much better and about the same price.  I bought a pair of the 8402 XLR's and they sound better than my $350 Cardas Parsec's.  I highly recommend them.  You will get more clarity and smoother top end compared to the BJC IC's.

https://btpa.com/IC8402-XX.html

The tweeters on the 1.6's can sound a bit bright or sibilant depending upon your room and gear.  If they do, use a 1 or 1.2 ohm resister in the tweeter.  Magnepan supplies them but I found that a 1 ohm Mills or a 1.2 ohm Duelund resistor to have the best sound.  The 1.2 ohm 10 watt Duelund sounds the best.

Forgot to post the link to the Duelund's, they are on sale right now and are well worth the money if you decide that you need the resistors.

http://www.partsconnexion.com/resistors_duelund_cast.html

Eventually you will want a better DAC.   Nothing wrong the Schiit but there is better.  You may want to look at a good used DAC.

Hope this helps

[ctsooner]

What's your budget? What type of music do you listen to?  What are your room dimensions etc...?  Cables are the last thing to think about spending money on.  They make a difference for sure, but for entry level you are better off spending your money on components that will make a real difference. 

You will get answers for what to get.  Most  just post what we own or want to own.  There are many products for a reason, but you have to match your system as sometimes the 'best' isn't the best with your speakers or amp etc... 

Some will tell you that the pre amp or amp won't make as big a difference as speakers, but they do.  They all make a huge difference.  You have a nice start with your speakers, but they need some power and they need to have bass that can be controlled.  As great at those speakers are, they are also very revealing so if you don't match the right amp or integrated amp, then you may not be happy for the long term. 

You can look for used gear of course, however I always have newbies use a good dealer so that you can have some good advice and have someone to help you learn and grow.  Also, being new, it's nice to have components that feel new and have warrantees on them.  That's just my humble opinion.  I'm sure plenty here will disagree.

[charmerci]

I like your gear but skip those Blue Jeans cables. They're cheap because they're cheap. Not very good. Might as well go with zip cord and Walmart specials until you can swing for some better cables.

Sorry, disagree. I used to go with zips and "walmarts" until I bought a pair of Monoprice cables and I could hear the sound difference! (And I've moved up since then.)

[ntran2012]

I would upgrade RAM (8gb should be sufficient) and replace the fusion drive with SSD drive. The goal should be to eliminate all moving part within the computer and that was what I did to my Mac mini.