Question on MacMini and DACs and Ethernet

[UNCMo96]

My current setup is Intel MBP to caldigit ts3plus. For my audio setup I use the head phone jack of my MBP to a Mackie 8 inch sub and Pioneer powered speakers. From what I understand the DACs in Macs are pretty good so there's really no benefit to using the caldigit audio out? ALso, I use eQMac which does seem to have a nice effect on sound. Given that it changes the sound levels, there's no benefit to using something like this pre DAC correct? It seems to sound "worse" when I try that combination with my MBP. (MBP to caldigit to speakers using eqmac on MBP).

I'm asking since I'm moving to a m4 pro mac mini. It's a bit of a moot point since i'm happy with how it sounds now and I can't imagine it sounds worse on the mini. Also, I don't blast and critically listen as much here but it's nice to have some good tunes but I'm just curious.

Also as an aside is there a benefit where I plug in my ethernet (I have gigabit ethernet and not 10 gig ethernet)

Sorry for the noob questions. With the MBP plugging a lot of stuff in the caldigit made more sense but it's obviously different now with the mini. I guess with the ethernet I can speed test and see.

 

[Ray2]

DAC's, like near anything audio, is a very subjective discussion. Apple DAC's vary from model to model, from one year to another. Some users like a lean, sterile sound, some a fuller sound. Try with and without and see what you prefer. I always ran a DAC on my mini based servers. Had at least 4 minis and always wanted my DAC. It was an integral part of the sound signature of my system. Removing it never made sense. On iPhones/iPods, sometimes I did use Apple's DAC as some years were particularly musical. Most weren’t.

 

[Fishrrman]

You already have the Caldigit?
Then, when the m4pro Mini arrives, try BOTH of them.

Let YOUR ears see if there's a difference.
Then decide.
(we can't hear what you're hearing where you are)

 

[ChrisA]

Also as an aside is there a benefit where I plug in my ethernet

Is there an option? the Mini only hase one Eithernet port. The other end of the cable goes to an Ethernet switch. Many routers have built-in switches.

 

[UNCMo96]

You already have the Caldigit?
Then, when the m4pro Mini arrives, try BOTH of them.

Let YOUR ears see if there's a difference.
Then decide.
(we can't hear what you're hearing where you are)

I know that’s what I’ve done. I’m just curious if there are recommended practices. Just for an example. I have a Sonos connect to interface to my home theater. I have it plugged into my Marantz preamp. I have the optical out to the Marantz since the DAC in the Marantz is clearly better than whats in the sonos.

 

[UNCMo96]

Is there an option? the Mini only hase one Eithernet port. The other end of the cable goes to an Ethernet switch. Many routers have built-in switches.

It has one but the caldigit has one so two. Right now I plug my mbp into the caldigit and use the internet there. I’m actually wondering if it’s worth daisy chaining from one to the other with network sharing just to save on ports on my network switch.