Mac Mini Optical Out?

[MIB]

I have had a Mac Mini for about 2 years and have it connected up to my amp via a mini jack to 2 phono cable and the sound quality isn't that good - even with apple lossless

I was just looking on the apple website and it says the mini can do optical out from the 3.5mm - but looking in my instructions it doesn't say anything about optical out?

Can anyone confirm if my mini will output digical via 3.5mm jack and what the SQ would be like compared to a decent CD transport?

Machine Name: Mac mini
Machine Model: PowerMac10,1
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.2)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.42 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 512 MB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz

[MIB]

Think I've answered my own question - been searching on the specs on apple website of all products and the original mini like mine doesn't say anything a bout optical, but the 2006 onwards model clearly state optical out - bugger

Might think about getting a new mini as I can use the old one in another room. What are peoples opinions of the sound quality with apple lossless of the optical out compared to a decent CD player or USB DAC?

[jont]

I find mine more than listenable ... and easy to navigate with frontrow !!

Jon

[MIB]

Originally Posted by jont

I find mine more than listenable ... and easy to navigate with frontrow !!

Jon

Are you using the optical out straight into your Arcam gear?

Whats frontrow?

[jont]

Yes - straight in to the AV8

FrontRow is Apples media centre interface - ships on new intel macs and there is a workaround hack for G4/G5 systems without an infra-=red port ...

Allows playback of music/video/photos/podcasts - runs very nicely and easy to use ...

FrontRow2 which will ship with leopard is the new version and is the same as runs on the Apple TV ...

http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/.../frontrow.html

(another reason to upgrade to an intel mini) !!

Jon

[MIB]

Front row looks cool especially with the remote (didn't get a remote with the original mini)

Had a quick look on apple website and Leopard is out in October

Have you compared the SQ to any CD players? or tried an external DAC to improve SQ?

[jont]

Haven't played anything through a DAC but the output certainly isn't far behind the DV27A - (which is no slouch!!) ...

I'd expect an announcement at the Paris MacExpo (at the latest) to confirm the Leopard shipping date so plan your MacMini purchase around then !!

Jon

[MIB]

Thanks Jon

I definetly want to move away from CD's but don't really want to compromise sound quality.

I think its between a new mini or a Squeezebox 3 with old mini - anyone compared SQ from both?