iMac Mini Review

At Hi Fi Art, we had an idea while walking to purchase an Apple MacBook Air to review in order to illustrate our principles.

Mac of 2015 has no memory advantage over Windows NT computers. The sound or graphics is no better. Compared to an Intel PC running Windows Vista (HP Pavillion) with 3 GB of RAM, also of Quad Processor, circa  , running Vista ... it loads and runs applications slower, although boots faster. Having adopted Intel, Apple lost it's processor advantage.



Having already purchased an AudioQuest Dragonfly to review in it, this would of been a prudent purchase. In our estimation, such a product ($999.00 USD) is valid for one year of use. A few steps later, and we considered that we would be more prudent fiscally to purchase three Furutech Power Bars ($200.00 ea) in order to protect our investment in review equipment - and write a review on such - for present and future.

The new Apple MacBook's are marvelous - Retina displays - limited hard drives and memory capability. Absolutely beautiful, like the people you would hope to know. We're talking of conjugal unity. Models and barren wares. Things you can screw, look good, and look up to you.

AH, what a life.

The model we've chosen to review is the Apple iMac Mini i7 Server ($819.00 USD). Particularly, the 2012 model.

It includes the i7 Processor (2.3 GHz) in Quad Processor configuration. It delivers a 64% improvement over the 3.0 GHz dual-core 2014 model. (Geekbench: 10,400 vs 6,358). It also includes dual hard 1TB drives which was a requirement for us. The present top model ($999.00 USD) includes the much more speedy 1TB fusion drive, which for an extra $100 USD, can be configured 2 TB.

It took a while to find a supplier, however B&H Photo and our erstwhile photographer, Jason Rickerby, delivered...

We note now that they no longer carry this particular model. That's a pity. We'd like another. Amen.

The iMac Mini ($899.00 USD) in present, is not a handsome machine. It lacks the drive that really gives the shape some cosmetic substance. The model from 2010 (2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor) came with it. Even if you don't use it (the drive), it's a handsome thing.

We've chosen to add the Apple USB SuperDrive ($79.00 USD), which can be placed on top. It would be a better idea to buy the 2010 model for this purpose. The idea is to rip our CD collection (Jazz and Audiophile recording) to place in iTunes.

The iMac Mini includes an internal speaker, which is one heck of a speaker. We've attached the AudioQuest Dragonfly ($250.00 USD) to our Stax SRM-007t ($2945.00 USD) and Stax SR-007 Omega II Headphones ($4030.00 USD), which is one heck of a temporary solution.

We've also connected it to a Dell UltraSharp U3014 Monitor ($1500.00 USD). The picture quality is absolute horrendous. So '1999! Brothers.

After deciding that we don't like the look of it on our desk, we placed it in place of a Trends PA-10.1D Headphone Amplifier ($299.00 USD), behind our Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO mixer. You get used to seeing your desk a certain way, and the intrusion of a new computer or different sized monitor is unsettling, and a visual form of clutter.

The resolution at present in both audio and video is poor.

Having gone this route we would recommend the Apple iMac Retina 5K Display, for casual use, despite it's too-glossy screen (as seen in store), and small screen (29") size, or the Apple Mac Pro, preferably.

Had Apple inserted a Compact Disk drive into this machine as they had, on previous mini's, it would be a very good looking machine.

Pairings

For audio, we've chosen to pair the iMac mini ($899.00 USD) with the Teac UD-H01 DAC ($399.00 USD) in our review inventory. Quite a choice. We've already purchased it, so we might as well put it to some use. Let's go further.

The Teac UD-501 DAC ($849.00 USD) would be more appealing. It would follow the Stereophile precept of applying roughly equal money to each component - source, amp, speakers. The Teac UD-501 DAC in addition to the UD-H01's rates, includes 384 kHz, 32-bit, and particularly, DSD and DSD 2x - 5.6. Much better for computer music, today.

The Aurilac Vega DAC ($3499.00 USD) might have been the sensible mac choice. It's $4199.00 CDN (Canadian) price, however is in line with the iMac with Retina Display ($4200.00 CDN). That's audiophile insight, but a bit much for a $899.00 computer.

Woo Audio's WA7 Fireflies ($999.00 USD) might be just right for those, who are desk-bound. It's nice price, and interesting object state status qualify it for the office desk. Sort of the modern day snow-globe in terms of resolution, and fun.

The audiophile user may well appreciate  two particular options:

(1) The Ayre QB9-DSD DAC ($3,299.00 USD). This model has affordability written all over it and a decent sound, indeed. It's not a technical performer, but an introduction to the world of high fidelity.

We have to say the Triangle DAC (GTE Trinity) is higher, however that's what you get for dealing in the low-end.

(2) Bechmark Media DAC 2 HGC DAC ($1995.00 USD). This may be one for the budding audiophile. While no Pacific Microsonics Model 2, the Bechmark DAC 2 HGC offers four (4) balanced 32-bit DA converters and rather decent performance overall.

Our money for the Head Fi user, however is on the iFi Micro iDSD DAC ($499.00 USD). With it, iFi upps the ante.

The iFi Nano iDSD DAC ($189.00 USD), in particular for the connoisseur of Stax amps and headphones.

You may wish a recording device, also. (ADC).

Summary

While no longer available, the iMac Mini i7 Quad Core Server ($899.00 USD) was an ideal machine to play with music. It's small size and affordable specification lead it well to the hobbyist market.

In a sense, it was the mini successor to the famed Apple Xserve, a very handsome machine.

In some sense and sensibility, the best use for it: is a calculator. It may not be the world's best. For that, you will need a collosum of them, or else a BlueGene / L. Note: that at one time, the X-Serve was used in such a manner.

You'll like it if you like fiddling. It's not bad with an external hard drive.

We'll keep it and move it on to stereo (CD) duties after a replacement arrives.

It's not a bad machine to begin our Apple Macintosh (Mac) Adventure!

JP 2015/03/20
www.hifiart.ca