M4 Mac mini & Audio

[paulcons]

Yes I plan on getting the new Mini. I see they call the audio output a headphone jack. No I do not plan on using headphones this way, but my intention is to feed external, amplified speakers. Not really thinking about a 5.1 or similar type of system. However I have come across posts saying that it only provides mono sound. Am I correct in thinking this is bogus?

 

[danb1979]

Yes I plan on getting the new Mini. I see they call the audio output a headphone jack. No I do not plan on using headphones this way, but my intention is to feed external, amplified speakers. Not really thinking about a 5.1 or similar type of system. However I have come across posts saying that it only provides mono sound. Am I correct in thinking this is bogus?

Feed your speakers via a USB C out and DAC

That’s what I do with my SMSL DAC and JBL active monitors

I have tried via the audio out which is stereo; but it’s not as clean as via a DAC

 

[familychoice]

Yes I plan on getting the new Mini. I see they call the audio output a headphone jack. No I do not plan on using headphones this way, but my intention is to feed external, amplified speakers. Not really thinking about a 5.1 or similar type of system. However I have come across posts saying that it only provides mono sound. Am I correct in thinking this is bogus?

I have the headphone output on my M1 Mini connected to an old desktop speaker system, and get full stereo output, so I’d expect the same from the M4.

 

[Chancha]

The 3.5mm jack is supposed to be able to detect DC load of the destination, such that if it is an amplifier it will know and then output line level audio.

 

[Grumpyman]

ordered a new Mini. Don't really want a cable poking out the front permanently so would a USB-C to 3.5mm Jack that i can plug into my speaker system work ok?

 

[BrianBaughn]

ordered a new Mini. Don't really want a cable poking out the front permanently so would a USB-C to 3.5mm Jack that i can plug into my speaker system work ok?

I don't see why not.

 

[danb1979]

ordered a new Mini. Don't really want a cable poking out the front permanently so would a USB-C to 3.5mm Jack that i can plug into my speaker system work ok?

It’ll be fine

Have you a DAC or USB in on your system at all?

 

[Grumpyman]

It’ll be fine

Have you a DAC or USB in on your system at all?

I'm not sure. Its just a Logitech z623 - a 2.1 desk speaker system. The input is simply a 3.5mm Jack. Currently it is connected to the headphone socket on my 10yr old MBP. Works fine. Only other part of the system will be a new shiny Mac Mini

 

[paulcons]

Can anyone suggest a inexpensive DAC?

 

[snipr125]

Can anyone suggest a inexpensive DAC?

Try Fiio they have a wide range of excellent DACs with premium Sabre ESS DAC chips suiting all budgets.

E.g just this USB Dac will make a noticable improvement to your Audio

https://amzn.eu/d/175gpv5

Also the cirrus logic dac in the Mac mini is actually pretty good if you dont want to use an external dac.

 

[Grumpyman]

Prior to you replying I bought one of these

UGREEN USB C to 3.5mm Jack Cable 3.3FT DAC Stereo Car Aux to USB C Cable Type C Headphone Lead Compatible with Galaxy S25 Ultra S24 S23 A56 iPhone 16 Pro Max/16e/15 2025 iPad Air 11/13 Pixel 9/8 (1M)

Practical & Functional * Simplify Connection--The USB-C to 3.5mm Jack Cable directly connects your Type C/Thunderbolt 3 devices to audio output devices of aux port, without audio converters. For example, play music from the phone to car radio, from iPad Pro to headphones. More convenient. * Add M...

www.amazon.co.uk

Just a USB-C to 3.5mm jack but seems to have a DAC in it. Probably rubbish as it was £6... So i'll use the FIIO one if it turns out to be no good.

When you say the cirrus logic DAC in the Mac mini is good, is that via the 3.5mm out or via one of the USB ports?

 

[paulcons]

Ha, I found this:

BENFEI USB C to Audio Jack Adapter with DAC chipset, USB-C to 3.5mm Female Headphone Compatible with iPhone 15 Pro Max/15 Pro/15, Samsung Galaxy S24/S23/S22/S21 Ultra, iPad Pro, Pixel 8 Blue

BENFEI USB C to Audio Jack Adapter with DAC chipset, USB-C to 3.5mm Female Headphone Compatible with iPhone 15 Pro Max/15 Pro/15, Samsung Galaxy S24/S23/S22/S21 Ultra, iPad Pro, Pixel 8 Blue

a.co

and was curious about it. First I am old as **** and my hearing certainly ain't nothing like how it used to be. So am curious about straight out the jack, out an item like above or out to something like the 50 bucks item mentioned previously. Like how much difference each makes... yes I assume differences, but how much is what I'm looking to find out. I know I had zero issue going from the line out of my cMP to external speakers.

 

[Grumpyman]

I’m old as **** too so I doubt a sound improvement will do much for me.
I just want there to be nothing poking out the front of the new Mac mini so want a usb something to then connect to my 3.5mm input on the amp thing.
I guess the cable I bought above will be just fine ☺️

 

[Ben J.]

Can anyone suggest a inexpensive DAC?

Topping. I really love the sound from my Topping E30 II (and the headphone amp L30).

I've been working with audio most of my life, had my own studio 1990-2005, and I know a bit about digital audio. I've worked with lots of DACs and AD/DAs, and I was shocked to hear this sound quality at this price. I've retired, but I still have my Dynaudio studio monitors and a small mixing setup, and it lets me judge the quality of devices like this. You might not really be able to tell the difference between a OK DAC and a great DAC with a more average listening system.

Are you sure you won't be needing inputs also, perhaps in the future, for microphones? In which case you'll want what's known as a 'computer audio interface', and not a DAC. A DAC is only digital-to-analog, remember.

 

[Cave Man]

When you say the cirrus logic DAC in the Mac mini is good, is that via the 3.5mm out or via one of the USB ports?

A DAC takes the digital file and converts it to an analog output via 3.5mm, 1/4” or other analog port device (e.g., headphones, external speakers/amp). If it’s going out the USB port then it’s still a digital signal that must be converted to analog by an external DAC/amplifier.

 

[snipr125]

Prior to you replying I bought one of these

UGREEN USB C to 3.5mm Jack Cable 3.3FT DAC Stereo Car Aux to USB C Cable Type C Headphone Lead Compatible with Galaxy S25 Ultra S24 S23 A56 iPhone 16 Pro Max/16e/15 2025 iPad Air 11/13 Pixel 9/8 (1M)

Practical & Functional * Simplify Connection--The USB-C to 3.5mm Jack Cable directly connects your Type C/Thunderbolt 3 devices to audio output devices of aux port, without audio converters. For example, play music from the phone to car radio, from iPad Pro to headphones. More convenient. * Add M...

www.amazon.co.uk

Just a USB-C to 3.5mm jack but seems to have a DAC in it. Probably rubbish as it was £6... So i'll use the FIIO one if it turns out to be no good.

When you say the cirrus logic DAC in the Mac mini is good, is that via the 3.5mm out or via one of the USB ports?

Ive got the same U Green USBC to 3.5mm adaptor that you got which i mainly with my iPads as a backup. It’s not really worth using this with a Mac though as the internal Cirrus Logic DAC will be better via the headphones jack.

 

[transmaster]

I have the FiiO BTR7, I use it with my iPhone, iPad, and Mac Studio plugged in with USB. Fantastic sound. My FiiO app updated and it added the BTR17 to the list of supported devices. This was new to me. Looked it up and FiiO is updating the BTR7 to the BTR17. I notice it has a volume knob and not the rocker switch the BTRT7 has very nice. Details are sketchy but it has the latest Qualcomm flagship Bluetooth chip. Desktop Mode. plugged directly in via USB, high-precision multi-band PEQ (parametric equalizer) will be onboard, now it has broad settings Jazz, vocal, R&B that sort of thing. Additionally, the BTR17 allows to switch between Bluetooth DAC/Amp mode, phone dongle mode, and USB DAC mode. The Phone dongle mode will be a nice edition as it is when you have multiple devices fighting over which is going to pick up a call this will be handy. You cannot wear AirPod Pro's all of time. It supports AAC.

 

[Macalway]

You heard it's mono, where?

I'd like to see that post. It's not true, btw.

Actually, they keep removing the port don't they?

 

[Grumpyman]

Sounds like best option is just to use the headphone port. Will do that ☺️

 

[transmaster]

Sounds like best option is just to use the headphone port. Will do that ☺️

The audio from the headphone jack is also terrible.

 

[Cave Man]

The audio from the headphone jack is also terrible.

It's not terrible. It's adequate and sufficient. Certainly, if one wants better performance, an external DAC/amp will offer better performance.

 

[danb1979]

It's not terrible. It's adequate and sufficient. Certainly, if one wants better performance, an external DAC/amp will offer better performance.

Agree; it's not the best but for a simple PC speaker system, it'll do the job

Anything bigger than bog-standard PC speakers (ie like what I have or more audiophile based set up etc); then an external DAC via USB is needed IMO

 

[Grumpyman]

Well I have both options so will try both and report back. Trouble is I’m an old git and I double I’ll be able to discern a difference these days 🤣

 

[transmaster]

Save yourself the trouble do this, The FiiO BTR7, and soon the BTR17 is the solution. You can plug it into one of the USB ports and it becomes a very nice DAV/Amp. You can take it with you and use it either as a BT DAC/Amp or a USB PCM DAC/Amp. as I have said fantastic sound.

 

[Macalway]

The MacBooks have very good headphone amps apparently. They adjust to impedance, and can go from IEM to 600 ohms automatically. Also, the little USB headphone adapter they sell has very good specs (tested by lots of people) for IEMs, that is.