What type of sound (card) on mac mini?

[dlsife]

Looking at buying my first mac and looking at a mini. I listen to a lot of music on high quality speakers attached to my pc, so I'm wondering if there's a sound quality difference between the MBP, the iMac and the Mac Mini.

Any help you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[stridemat]

I have no evidence for this, but I can't see the audio quality being different between the various models.

 

[dlsife]

Thanks. To clarify, I'm not running surround (5.1). I just listen to music on 2.1 speakers. So, my question is simply whether there's any sound card difference between the mini and the iMac.

 

[mgartner0622]

All modern sound cards are good enough (read, perfect) for anyone that does not have a professional DJ set up, ten thousand dollar speakers, or something of that sort.
In that case, they'd probably use an external sound device via USB, but that's besides the point.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure the Mini and iMac both use Intel High-Definition Audio cards, which support digital output.

You can also adjust the Equalizer in iTunes if you're not happy with the bass, treble, or frequency ranges when playing music.

 

[mr.steevo]

Thanks. To clarify, I'm not running surround (5.1). I just listen to music on 2.1 speakers. So, my question is simply whether there's any sound card difference between the mini and the iMac.

If sound quality is that important you could buy an external Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) to bypass the computer sound card. Here's one that comes with vacuum tubes:

http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_Fidelity_Tube_DAC-09

 

[philipma1957]

I have a lot of hi end speakers. I don't like the connection on the imac the mac pro or the mac mini for 2.1 sound.

I use usb dacs. Note I said I don't like using the connection on the machines. The connection is a 3.5mm headphone jack which can also be used with an optical cord. Over time the connection tends to get loose and can pick up a buzz. USB based dacs tend to work better.

I have a Musiland MD10 that works great with my mac pro.


http://www.pacificvalve.us/MusilandMD10.html

I have a low cost behringer for my mac mini works great


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1JJMNZ67EHX8R171R7Y7

 

[Baby Mac]

I've seen alot of great info on using your computer as a music device at Computer Audiophile -- Suggested hardware list.