Ben,

I have heard the mac mini setup is very good. The Logitech Duet did not impress me. And neither did Sonos or Slim Devices.

However, I am using an iMac G5 with an external SATA hard drive via FireWire 400. Streaming to an Apple Airport Express Base Station. I plan to acquire an iPod Touch & use as remote control as suggested in a recent PS Audio newsletter. My Mac is in an adjacent office with doors to isolate the inherent noises of computer and hdd's. Every so often it gets relocated to the garage / recording studio where my sons drum set is located. And I am still able to stream just fine from there.

The TosLink interface is impressive even as compared to my reference player connected via digital coax. The reference setup is just a bit more refined and dynamic. I have tried from my Mac both Toslink and usb and both are very good. I've stuck with AE / toslink simply for convenience sake it being wireless. I am very pleased with the results

As for USB vss FireWire speed differences, my FireWire 400 is just about the same as the USB. Although, if I am not mistaken, FireWire 800 is faster than USB.

In an experiment, I tried streaming audio to my PreSonus Firepod which optionally controlled the master clock as well instead of the Mac. The results were stunning good.

ericjcabrera August 21, 2008 17:35

Yeah it is a lot of fun. I recommend a Mac with iTunes; so easy and fun while also an inexpensive way to enjoy excellent quality music streaming. My non-modified DLIII really performs well - you will not be disappointed. PS Audio's gain cell sound is quite addicting. I've not heard anything else quite like it that I care for.
I think you are correct; it works very well for digital. I hadn't given it much thought going class A for the analog/vinyl side because the GCPH is so good. In fact, it was my first foray into PS Audio after I acquired my TT. From that point on I was hooked on gain cell technology. I haven't turned back.

ericjcabrera August 21, 2008 14:09

Have you considered having Rick Cullen modify your GCC? I have 2 GCC's driving a pair of B&W 803D's but sometimes wonder what class A amplification might do for me. GCC's are so detailed, transparent, powerful. How do you rate yours?

ericjcabrera August 19, 2008 18:40