New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Mac mini to Majestic via USB
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Welcome to the Graham Slee Audio Products Owners Forum

 

Open to all owners plus those contemplating the purchase of a Graham Slee HiFi System Components audio product and wishing to use this forum's loaner program: join here (Rules on posting can be found here)

This website along with trade marks Graham Slee and HiFi System Components are owned by Cadman Enterprises Ltd

Mac mini to Majestic via USB
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
morris_minor View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 27 Mar 2012
Location: Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 6197 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote morris_minor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Mac mini to Majestic via USB
    Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 2:40pm
I was wondering if anyone here connects their computer to a Majestic via USB?

I have a 2014 Mac Mini and decided to update the OS (from Catalina to Monterey). However it wouldn't take the update, reporting an unfixable error on the system drive and saying replace it asap. The thought of taking the Mini apart - seeing a step by step tutorial - fills me with dread LOL, and as it's over 10 years old, a new Mini beckons!

However, the 2024 Mini doesn't have an optical digital out - which is how I connect my 2014 Mini to the Majestic. So - as the Majestic has a USB input, would simply replacing the optical cable with a USB C to B cable do the job? Or is there something I'm missing? Would the Mini just recognise the Majestic as an audio device?

Any thoughts or help much appreciated!
Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links
Back to Top
BackinBlack View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Hinton, N'hants
Status: Offline
Points: 2139 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 4:31pm
Not missing anything Bob, it is that simple. I've been using a Windows laptop with USB to my Majestic for many years. The Majestic USB input is isolated which prevents potential earth loops. Sound is indistinguishable from the optical inputs (to me!).

Ian
Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
Back to Top
Chris Firth View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group


Joined: 16 May 2013
Location: Rossendale, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 1665 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Firth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 5:30pm
The Majestic will handle sample rates up to 48kHz through the USB input - it says so in the description.
Back to Top
BAK View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 14 Mar 2010
Location: Kentucky, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 1831 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BAK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 5:52pm
I use the USB from my Mac Mini and it does recognize the Majestic as "USB audio CODEC".
 It sounds marvelous!
Bruce
AT-14SA, Pickering XV-15, Hana EL, Technics SL-1600MK2, Lautus, Majestic DAC, Technics SH-8055 spectrum analyzer, Eminence Beta8A custom cabs; Proprius & Reflex M or C, Enjoy Life your way!
Back to Top
Fatmangolf View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 23 Dec 2009
Location: Middlesbrough
Status: Offline
Points: 9695 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fatmangolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 6:27pm
I connect my Roon Nucleus to my Proprius with a USB cable from HFC. It shows as USB audio codec same as above. 48k. It sounds great to me.

Edited by Fatmangolf - 21 Feb 2025 at 6:28pm
Jon

Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
Back to Top
Chris Firth View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group


Joined: 16 May 2013
Location: Rossendale, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 1665 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Firth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 7:09pm
I don't dispute that it does sound great, but it does mean that some form of transcoding takes place in the computer in order to do play files if the file is native 24/96 or 24/192.

Avoiding the use of DSP is always preferable, and transcoding is DSP.
Back to Top
BackinBlack View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Hinton, N'hants
Status: Offline
Points: 2139 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 7:16pm
I Know the spec says 48kHz, but something in the back of my mind said otherwise. I just checked and the USB input accepts 96kHz (24 bit). Whether there is some down conversion within the Majestic I cannot remember, I could plough all the way through the Majestic thread, but for now I'm just happy that it accepts the higher rate and sounds lovely.

Edited by BackinBlack - 21 Feb 2025 at 7:30pm
Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.070 seconds.