Anyone "Pimping" Mac Mini's in Adelaide / Australia?

[mattjtaylor2809]

HI All,

 

I plan to move to a mac mini to store (maybe in external HD) & play my music (itunes based but starting to download flac).

 

I've started to read all the posts about "pimping" the MM with SSD, linear power supplies, removing bluetooth etc... BUT, I'm no technician!. I've replaced Opamps & rolled a few tubes but that's it!

 

So, does anyone know of a person, company (like link below) that can mod mac mini's?

 

http://www.itemaudio.com/index.php/digital-audio-sources/modified-audio-computers/mac-mini-upgrades.html

 

Cheers

Matt

[strony]

Matt there is one for sale in the classified's now.

 

Cheers

[acg]

Hi Matt,

 

They are simple to mod if you have a little experience with the interior of a computer, but I suppose it is daunting if you don't know what you are looking at.  I know of no-one pimping macs in oz, but the older MM (2009 and earlier) are easier to mod because the power supply brick is external to the MM case itself.  From 2010 onwards the psu was moved into the case and downsized from 18.5v to 12v.  As far as linear psu's go, someone like AJ may be able to make one for you rated 18.5v 5A for the 2009 or earlier models, but I have never looked into the amperage requirements of the newer MM.  Note that for linear supplies the expense is mainly at providing amps, not volts, so the linear psu for any MM should cost the same.

 

Only thing with the older MM's is that you would have to search to find them. 

 

Cheers,

 

Anthony 

Edited August 14, 2013 by acg

[strony]

I think it is Anthony that is selling one ...

[Jventer]

Matt

 

There are 2 for sale here on the forum. One is Anthony's  - a 2009 model and the other one is Astrosound's - a mid 2010 model. Either would be a good buy. 

Anthony's is already "pimped" , you can just add an expensive power supply later.

 

AFAIK Astrosound's has an internal power supply. I think we should ask him.

 

Steve from Empirical reckons the October 2009 model is the best. The two for sale is a bit younger or older than that model and I cannot find any reason why that model is better that the advertised models, maybe Steve will tell us. As Anthony has posted the models with the external power supply is "better" as it is fairly easy to add a better external power supply. The older models still have a DVD drive which may make things a bit easier. They can also be upgraded to 8MB ram which is enough.

 

Anyway, the later models, from mid 2010 has the internal power supply, which latter may make mods a bit more difficult. Some of the models since mid 2010 still has an optical drive

 

The link that you have provided is for the modification of a newer mac mini. Depending on how handy you are you may be able to do some/many of those mods yourself. Check out the stuff they sell.  

 

I still want a modded mac mini or a Zuma styled PC, but the funds are always an issue. I am now using what some other members on the forum did. I have a standard mac mini with an Oyade firewire hard disk. I will mod it  over time.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Jventer

[mattjtaylor2809]

Thanks everyone, have looked at the x2 FS but was thinking about buying a new one & modding over time however if both have external power supplies, maybe a good starting point?

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 4

[acg]

Matt, every Mini after the 2009's has an internal power supply.  You can get the psu out of the newer ones but my understanding it that it takes a bit of work.

[Jventer]

Matt, every Mini after the 2009's has an internal power supply.  You can get the psu out of the newer ones but my understanding it that it takes a bit of work.

Thanks Anthony I will edit my post.

[Briz Vegas]

It would be interesting to compare my 2009 build ( 2010 purchased) MacBook Pro up against a fully sick ( or whatever you call it) mini. As a system I think it could give it a run for its money, particularly depending on implementation detail. For example, the Nordost digital cable from my Weiss interface to DAC gives excellent results.

My MBP has SSD and 8 gb of RAM, USB hard drive storage ( MBP powered) and FireWire via interface to the DAC. It's not finished yet. I' m still waiting for my power supply ordered early January ( grumble grumble, still a month away at best)) which will power both the MBP and the interface off different rail. The only mini I know locally does not even have an SSD, and I know that improves things from my own experience..... And my MBP is up and running long before my preamp, which goes on first.

Computers dont seem to last so heaven knows what I will replace it with when the MBP eventually gives up. I thought pimping a new one might be done easily and quickly, except now they have changed the MagSafe again and FireWire is now thunderbolt. You can't future proof, not even 3 years down the track.

Edited August 18, 2013 by Briz Vegas

[betty boop]

I'd say opportunity out there for someone pimping mac minis. the new one wihtout disc drive and with the built in fan/power supply would be good candidate to improve audio wise would have thought. thought by now we would have had a JLTI mac-mini

[jamesg11]

I've been waiting for someone local to offer macmini mods. For too long now! So, I can get comp tech help - but, they're not audio literate, & it's therefore matter of which linear power supply etc to get & some basic guidance on tasks. Any advice here? Thanks.

[Jventer]

I would love to know what the best model is.

 

I have listened to mac minis and Apple laptops on systems of SNA members. I have also read a bit on the various forums.

 

As usual there are many opinions out there.

 

So far IMO the process could be:

 

Get a mac mini (any one from about 2009)

• Upgrade ram to at least 8Gig
• Use a SSD or NAS or firewire hard drive (the Oyade is recommended, but there are others). I did the latter.
• Connect your usb/spdif converter to the usb port that is the second one from the middle. (Still need to do more research, but it appears that the different ports are powered differently)
• Put the mac mini on something soft like a mouse mat or some other isolation feet.

Decide on the software. I personally prefer to keep OSX on the mac mini.  I use Audirvana for its ease of use and the fact that it optimises the mac's software while it is playing.

 

This is where I am now. 

 

Then the serious spending begin - get better power. The older models is easy with just getting a different power supply.

The newer versions can be either just improved with a different power cord or going the full monty by modding it and adding an external power supply.

 

Further mods may depend on how much you wish to disable the machine, what software you use and what other stuff you do with it.

[jamesg11]

I've got an early 2012 model, with 16gb. For me the power supply is key - what are the choices?

[Briz Vegas]

Now you would think this forum would be the catalyst for an audiophile Mac. Maybe it just needs someone that needs one to hassle rhe techies around the place. Computers are like mechano sets, it can't be that hard to tweak a modular system, although Apple are determined to turn their computers into disposable trash before people realise. For example, the fancy retina display MacBook is practically welded together to stop any tweaking.

Points of note:

- If you have a USB DAC use a FireWire/thunderbolt off board drive for your music. Don't use the same bus for input and output.

- power supplies. Something linear with good regulation is gonna perform well. I've paid about 1000 pounds delivered for a dual rail custom job from Paul Hynes (say 1500 or 1600 Aussie) but I was looking for the best i could get, given my DAC is worth about 9k ( plus extras) it made no sense to skimp. There are a range of other options and custom builds can take a long time so go in with your eyes open, off the shelf stuff can make very good sense in most cases. I have heard for myself that power supplies significantly improve both digital and analogue elements of your source.

It does mean i end up with a 5 box source component.

1. MacBook Pro

2. Weiss INT 202 interface

3. Linear power supply powering 1 and 2. ( pending completion and shipping)

4. DAC (Naim)

5. DAC power supply ( Naim XPS 2 )

...............oh, yeah 6. The external drive for my music (equivalent of CDs I guess)

Makes a turntable look simple.

Edited August 18, 2013 by Briz Vegas

[jamesg11]

What sort of wait is standard for a Paul Hynes psu? Anyone recommend alternatives?

[acg]

It would be interesting to compare my 2009 build ( 2010 purchased) MacBook Pro up against a fully sick ( or whatever you call it) mini. As a system I think it could give it a run for its money, particularly depending on implementation detail. For example, the Nordost digital cable from my Weiss interface to DAC gives excellent results.

My MBP has SSD and 8 gb of RAM, USB hard drive storage ( MBP powered) and FireWire via interface to the DAC. It's not finished yet. I' m still waiting for my power supply ordered early January ( grumble grumble, still a month away at best)) which will power both the MBP and the interface off different rail. The only mini I know locally does not even have an SSD, and I know that improves things from my own experience..... And my MBP is up and running long before my preamp, which goes on first.

Computers dont seem to last so heaven knows what I will replace it with when the MBP eventually gives up. I thought pimping a new one might be done easily and quickly, except now they have changed the MagSafe again and FireWire is now thunderbolt. You can't future proof, not even 3 years down the track.

 

Briz, I reckon a showdown with a decent Mini would be a good thing to sit in on.  My experience with laptops is that they make poor music sources due to their inherent design constraints (as I have postulated elsewhere on this forum) but I think a Mini is a well thought out and designed bit of kit so my guess would be for the little fella to have the edge over a MacBook Pro.  As you say in a later post Mac hardware is marketed to be a throw away item BUT you can get just about all parts for a Mac Mini on fleabay...so they are not necessarily a throw away item if you can repair them yourself.

 

James, from what I understand the Hynes supplies are the best.  Steve Nugent of Empirical Audio is making an 18v supply using a Hynes Reg that will suit the older Mac Minis but not any Macs 2010 or newer.  I reckon that Steve would be able to build you a supply quicker than Paul Hynes would, even though Paul has to send Steve the regs to do so.

[Jventer]

What can we do to get AJ to build us some?

[wikeeboy]

I just found a late 2009 Mac mini and am in the process of spec'ing it up.

I'd definitely be interested in an AJ linear supply for it!

[Jventer]

I just found a late 2009 Mac mini and am in the process of spec'ing it up. I'd definitely be interested in an AJ linear supply for it!

Ask AJ please

[Jventer]

A bit of an update.

 

Still no one doing the pimping in Adelaide or Australia officially AFAIK

 

I have just received replies to my questions from Steve (Empirical).You can visit his website - there are a lot of details there.

 

He prefers the 2009 October model as it has a lower frequency clock than the later ones. He has tried modded  2011 and 2012 models but the 2009 one is still better. He recommends the Hynes power supplies. And you can get one for the mac mini from him - $900.

[Jventer]

What sort of wait is standard for a Paul Hynes psu? Anyone recommend alternatives?

My understanding is that he is quite busy, standard is months. Looks like Briz Vegas ordered in January and will get one in about a months time. I did not ask Steve what his waiting period is.

[jamesg11]

Any thoughts on these Clones hk psu items? At least there's some sort of diy instructional.

http://www.clonesaudio.com/#!product/prd1/667867321/mpsu

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=D4jet8KSX8U&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DD4jet8KSX8U%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plcp&v=nrvG16RxQ9M

http://www.clonesaudio.com/#!accessory/conw

Edited August 19, 2013 by jamesg11

[jamesg11]

About $500, paypal. 230v. Who's going first?!

Edited August 19, 2013 by jamesg11

[WhakPak]

Both the MM in classifieds are sold. I'm looking to BUY a used MM with SSD to pimp as a basic windows machine

[acg]

Both the MM in classifieds are sold. I'm looking to BUY a used MM with SSD to pimp as a basic windows machine

 

Funny you should say that, because that is how my Mini that was in the classifieds is going to be used by its new owner.  They work quite well in that regard.  Also don't believe the Apple line that you can't run 64bit windows on those older Mini's, because you can, and they do it well.