[JohnR]

OK, so there's no 1 to 10 scale, so I just allowed three "1" votes and hopefully that will be good enough

PLEASE NOTE: This poll is in the Apple Core, so if your system doesn't qualify in any reasonable manner, then please don't vote. Thanks!!

Regardless of your vote, your post to explain further would I'm sure be appreciated

[jtwrace]

I voted for computer in the first place, better dac and something else. 

My something else is a SSD for the Mini.  I like the fact that it will boot up so quick (~20 seconds) and that it's ready to be used as it takes that long to turn the system on.

Computer Audio has changed my listening for the better much more then I ever thought it could.  Cd players?  What's that?   

[neekomax]

One word: Airtunes.

I've had a setup using USB as well, and I personally think that using Airtunes along with the Remote app sounds just as good, and is way more convenient. I like being able to stream from either my Mini or my Macbook Pro.

I'm starting to be of the opinion that it's all about your speakers in regards to SQ. So the rest is convenience for me.

[JerryM]

One word: Airtunes.

I've had a setup using USB as well, and I personally think that using Airtunes along with the Remote app sounds just as good, and is way more convenient. I like being able to stream from either my Mini or my Macbook Pro.

I'm starting to be of the opinion that it's all about your speakers in regards to SQ. So the rest is convenience for me.

Airtunes, sure. It's super easy. 

But through what DAC? To me, just about any external DAC makes a big difference after an Apple device. A good DAC makes a significant difference.

Just curious, 

Jerry

[skunark]

4) For portable devices, when I switched from Windows XP to a Mac Mini for managing and syncing my music was by far the best thing Apple has done for me. 

3) The Airport Express added an additional flexible to have music running throughout the house for a very reasonable cost.  Whole House Audio for less than $150 per room.

2) The "remote" app to control the ATV, Airport Express.  Also mPod for the MPD daemons is rather good.

1) I've used USB DACs and the optical output, with the Mac Mini running Linux and Mac OSX, but the biggest gain I've had was when I switch to the Bryston BDP-1/BDA-1 combo.    The Mac Mini still plays a huge role by performing the Hi-Rez downloads, ripping CDs, primary storage, backup and even automated the syncing of new songs to the BDP.    The dead head mac mini now sits neatly atop a mac pro in the corner of my desk.

[bunnyma357]

I went with other. The biggest differences for me were the following:

1) Pure Vinyl Software (Not really a ripper) - Replaced iTunes for Playback, Replaced Phono Preamp, Allows use of plug-ins. Still have room to grow and experiment, at some point I plan to use Pure Vinyl to create an active crossover setup.

2) Focusrite Saffire Pro ADC/DAC (Pro Audio Computer Interface) - Used in tandem with Pure Vinyl to replace Phono Pre-Amp & also serve as a DAC.

3) IK Multimedia ARC (Room Correction Plug-In & Calibrated Mic)  -  Although not for the purist, for me this has helped tame a really not great listening room along with acoustic room treatments.


Jim C

[neekomax]

Airtunes, sure. It's super easy. 

But through what DAC? To me, just about any external DAC makes a big difference after an Apple device. A good DAC makes a significant difference.

Just curious, 

Jerry

I stream to Apple TV, then out via Toslink to a Peachtree Audio Decco, which is my DAC (Burr Brown chip) as well as preamp. My amp is an Acurus DIA100 passive pre integrated (solid state).

Maybe at some point I'll have the bucks and motivation to upgrade to a better external DAC, everybody around here seems pretty geeked on the Bryson stuff. But for now, like I said, I'm focusing on getting the best speakers possible.

By the way... Spotify+ Airfoil, that's my new favorite thing! My music library just got HUMUNGOUS.