proftournesol Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I've just bought a new Mac mini to use as a music server. I'm going to replace the HDD with a SDD but Apple have also made the job harder for me by including an internal noisy switch mode power supply There are a number of rather pricey options like YFS or Mojo Music, does anyone know if there are any reasonably priced linear power supply options available locally? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jventer Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 AJ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A J Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 haha that was the one project I didn't really have time to complete. I think good low impedance quiet and stable power supplies would lift a PC. The solutions I've seen are quite dear and some of the circuitry might be suspect. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoggieHowser Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I believe a number of guys are using this successfully. You do need an internal DC-DC board though to replace the internal switched mode PSU http://www.teradak.com/products/100.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briz Vegas Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Problem is you do get what you pay for. At least one fellow dropped his dedicated Teddy Pardo when his Paul Hynes arrived ( he runs the digital half of his DAC via USB power from his PH SR7 powered Mac mini and it was better than direct from the Pardo). Last time I visited he asked if I had any use for the TP. Given I run a dual rail Paul Hynes SR7 myself it was a bit academic, although I was going to check what my Rega P5 uses in the wall wart department. Paul hynes units are very much at the top of the tree in performance terms. If not the very best it's gonna be close. Parts choice is a little on the gold plated side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wis97non Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 SR7 is how many volts and amps in single rail config? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesg11 Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I bought & installed this Clones when I also replaced the HD with an SSD - http://www.clonesaudio.com/?f_checkoutResult=cancel#!product/prd1/667867321/mpsu Gone up in price a bit ... Works well, but this is likely to be all round much better, & dearer - UpTone JS-2 power supply - Alex Crespi is an enthusiastic contributor to Computer Audiophile, designed by John Swenson. US of A based. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wipdv0958v6qp4h/AABmSN9JJrEysRmtkF1RuIZpa I'll pass on details if interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firedog Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 There is a new one just on the market made by Uptone Audio, designed by John Swenson and his partner Alex Crespi: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f10-music-servers/why-linear-power-supply-18929/index12.html#post333303 I sent Alex a PM suggesting he put some contact info on this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proftournesol Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 any idea of prices, I don't want to spend too much more on my digital system but I think that a SDD and a linear power supply will be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesg11 Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 @@proftournesol PM sent - I think ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jventer Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 any idea of prices, I don't want to spend too much more on my digital system but I think that a SDD and a linear power supply will be it. $925 plus shipping I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoggieHowser Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 $925 plus shipping I think Which one is this for? The Paul Hynes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proftournesol Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share Posted July 17, 2014 They all seem to be around $1k, it does seem expensive for a power supply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jventer Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Which one is this for? The Paul Hynes? UpTone JS-2 power supply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briz Vegas Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) The Paul Hynes is custom, you specify what you want it for and he builds it to your spec. Be prepared to wait and pay for the privilege of ownership. Edited July 22, 2014 by Briz Vegas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKay Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Small green computer has a linear power supply for US 295. I'm not sure if it is the correct voltage for Mac? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoggieHowser Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Small green computer has a linear power supply for US 295. I'm not sure if it is the correct voltage for Mac? Do you know how you can replace the internal switch mode PSU on the Mini with this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proftournesol Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 Do you know how you can replace the internal switch mode PSU on the Mini with this? It doesn't suit a Mac mini, I've emailed them and asked. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) Can I suggest you move away from the mac mini PC solution which uses onboard DC conversion.... or essentially lots of SMPS!!! Linear power will help, but you are still converting voltages on the main board. You are much better starting with an itx or MATX setup which doesn't use on board dc conversion. For less than the cost of the linear power supply you are looking at you could purchase/build an optimised ITX, powered music server, powered by a very stable (minimal ripple ATX silent seasonic PS or similar) I think you maybe surprised just how much better this actually does sound V's a small mac mini or nuc build. The next suggestion is to try windows 8.1 for your music listening. Without trying to start a debate on which OS is better (I am not interested in this), you owe it to yourself to try MQN player running on win8.1 . Borrow/Purchase a i3/i5/i7 PC capable of sse2/AVX/AX2 instructions... then install this - its free: http://mqnplayer.blogspot.com.au/ Development thread is found here: http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2418&sid=9cabc7e32a91b0528474c8c0d7293e44&start=4820 I think you will find your jaw will drop, as you realise just how much better music can sound away from OSX... Again not trying to start a debate...... just worth a try. Good luck Edited August 3, 2014 by EVITCA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoggieHowser Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I did a comparison of Mac Mini running Bootcamp and OSX - both OS running JRiver, and I can't say there was a big difference in sound. So I suspect the OS makes IMHO not as big a difference. I did find an improvement with my quiet PC build - fanless PSU, fanless CPU heatsink but with one large chassis fan. But I suspect a linear PSU might make a difference too. Clay (PDX designer) is asking me to trial Daphile (a Linux based OS that's fully optimised for music and runs a SqueezeCenter Server based server) and he's using a really cheap Celeron NUC. That's my next project - it can use the same linear PSU from HD-Plex as well so the entire system is under 700 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) I did a comparison of Mac Mini running Bootcamp and OSX - both OS running JRiver, and I can't say there was a big difference in sound. So I suspect the OS makes IMHO not as big a difference. I did find an improvement with my quiet PC build - fanless PSU, fanless CPU heatsink but with one large chassis fan. But I suspect a linear PSU might make a difference too. Clay (PDX designer) is asking me to trial Daphile (a Linux based OS that's fully optimised for music and runs a SqueezeCenter Server based server) and he's using a really cheap Celeron NUC. That's my next project - it can use the same linear PSU from HD-Plex as well so the entire system is under 700 bucks. I find Linux based servers to sound quite gritty through the mid frequencies... But in my experience, daphile/vortexbox etc can sound more dynamic v's windows. But you sacrifice midrange clarity - which is everything. Windows in my opinion tops linux, daphile, vortexbox and OSX. In particular MQN+WIN8.1 tops the lot. Each to their own.... Try MQN seriously... its as good as it gets. Its audio quality over convenience..... and its worth it... although your collection will need to be in wav format.. If DSD is your bag stay with jriver. If you are going for ultimate sound quality, you'll need (my suggestion): Windows 8.1 or server 2012 (very similar) 24 pin powered motherboard..... either by a good ripple minimised PS or separate linear power/batteries. MQN player Optimised bios linear power injection for your 5v sources such as USB to spdif converters, usb cards etc... An excellent musical DAC Switch off networking in your PC bios.... and store your music on the PC's drive My advice... Why start with a compromised PC platform? you already know your ATX setup sounds better than your mac mini? Seems a little weird to me you are prepared to spend good money on linear power, when benefits can be made just using a traditional ATX powered setup?! Everything matters.... and everything is a compromise..... Cheers and good luck.... Edited August 3, 2014 by EVITCA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I did a comparison of Mac Mini running Bootcamp and OSX - both OS running JRiver, and I can't say there was a big difference in sound. So I suspect the OS makes IMHO not as big a difference. I did find an improvement with my quiet PC build - fanless PSU, fanless CPU heatsink but with one large chassis fan. But I suspect a linear PSU might make a difference too. Clay (PDX designer) is asking me to trial Daphile (a Linux based OS that's fully optimised for music and runs a SqueezeCenter Server based server) and he's using a really cheap Celeron NUC. That's my next project - it can use the same linear PSU from HD-Plex as well so the entire system is under 700 bucks. Nuc's..... will provide the same DC conversion issue as the mac mini..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoggieHowser Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I've found big differences with a linear PSU vs a switched mode PSU for many music server builds. So even tho the HTPC I have uses a fanless switched mode PSU, I suspect there are gains with a linear power upgrade. FWIW, I also tested Win8.1 Pro (hated it), Win7SP1 Pro and OS X on a Mac - I honestly didn't find a huge gap between the 3 running JRiver. So again, I'd suspect there isn't much in the OS. As for the Celeron NUC - at 7W, it would run comfortably without a need for active cooling - and Daphile is really optimised for music playback. It's not trying to reconfigure/setup Windows to run as a music server and it was pretty impressive playing next to an optimised linear PSU music server (running Win7) we had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) Cool Not disagreeing with linear power providing benefits. I have heard all the playback packages listed.. So I'll have to politely disagree with Daphile being in the same league as MQN... I think you are maybe missing my point re using windows. MQN only works on windows! Its not difficult to try... You might find MQN is excellent too?! Also hearing differences between OS's, sources, etc will be highly dependent on the transparency of your hifi rig... and how good your ear is. So if you are happy that is all that matters... seriously. I'll leave it there. Edited August 3, 2014 by EVITCA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jventer Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) The HD-Plex power supply looks interesting - the US$295 version especially - would that be useable with a mac mini? (doggiehowser - i see you are on to it, so please let us know when you do.) Clay I thought has built a powersupply for bhobba once - any change of commercialising that? Edited August 3, 2014 by Jventer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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