Core Audio Technology Mac Mini Music Server

Transform your digital audio system with our Mac Mini and Mac Pro Music Server upgrades. We offer multiple classes of ultra low noise linear power supply, three internal filters, logic-board-level multi-layer shielding and EMI absorption, Thunderbolt expansion, and solid state storage devices all packed into a simple turnkey solution with an easy 1-day Turnaround so you don't have to go long without your beloved tunes!

We now carry the highly recommended Atomic Platform. Demoed at RMAF, it proved extremely effective and a very worthwhile $350. Purchase one alone or if you buy one with our upgrades receive 10% off.

Mac Mini Modification Video

Looking for a pre-configured Package?
Here are three packages we offer -- including Mac Mini computer, all mods, and shipping. Already have a Mini, check out the Mac Mini Music Server page to configure your mod or kit. Click the image to see a larger view!

Upgrading the power supply on your Mac Mini is one of the single largest upgrades you will ever make.

Do you want this from your Mac Mini:

• More Organic character


• Higher resolution, blacker background


• Better musical flow, pacing, and energy (More fun factor)


• Zero listening fatigue


• A Mac-Based Music Server that outperforms most, if not all, PC-based music servers

What we offer:

• 
  Remove the internal SMPS and replace it with our Kora or Kalos Power Supply


• Install one of three Internal Power Filters in the location where the SMPS once resided


• Proprietary Cryo-Shielding technology on logic board, RAM, CPU, GPU, SSD, and chassis


• DC Cable upgrades


• DIRAC Live Room Correction


• SSD Installation, Operating System optimization, and Hard Drive Setup service


• Turnkey, quick turnaround. All power supplies are in-stock!


• An upgradeable Music Server that doesn't become obsolete with next-gen technology

Removing the "Mac" Sound:

Bad in = bad out.

The Mac Mini runs off a dainty little switchmode power supply. Switchmode power supplies generate tremendous amounts of noise, particularly above their switching frequency. The Majority of power supplies focus solely on low frequency noise filtration within the audio band, but examining the image below shows that the majority of noise exists outside of the audible band.

Removing this high frequency noise from the noisy power supply is step one. This noise adds or subtracts from the PWM signal in the mac mini. All signals inside the Mac Mini computer are processed in real time as a Pulse Width Modulation. This PWM signal is a square wave, or an analog representation of a digital signal. Any noise that exists adds or subtracts from the amplitude of the square wave. The introduction of this noise introduces harmonics into the signal that do not exist! These amplitude distortions account for the majority of the anomalies we hear in digital audio. It's also where the "Mac" sound comes from.

*ABOUT OUR POWER SUPPLIES*

To remove this noise we replace the stock switchmode power supply with one of our modular power supply designs along with our patent-pending internal power filter. The IPF is designed to filter any noise that is picked up along the DC Cable. It is easy to install and offers a significant upgrade in performance. The power supply design specsThis is step one.

Shielding the logic board is critical. Because of the very fast oscillations of a computer's CPU there are severe high frequency transients that are generated and must be damped. Not only does the computer radiate EMI, but it absorbs it from other devices in the air. This problem is solved via our proprietary cryo-shield technology.

No, this shielding doesn't go on the case. That's too far away from the noise source. We're dealing with very high frequencies with very low impedance, the distance from logic board to chassis is just too great to be an effective shield. Our Cryo-Shield is our own proprietary shielding technology. This technology both absorbs and blocks EMI and is attached directly to the motherboard in key areas as well as to the internal power filter and power supply. This shield is comprised of several layers designed to block and absorb EMI between 10mhz-100ghz. The construction of the material allows for extremely fast response time, enabling a wide bandwidth filter that offers 60-70dB of noise reduction across the aforementioned bandwidth. By attaching the material directly to the chips on the motherboard EMI is more effectively absorbed and shielded. The impact is immediately noticeable.

OSX is another source of noise in the Mac Mini system. While optimizations can be done to OSX, there is very little benefit to them with the introduction of our new IPFs and power supplies. The better solution is to install Windows 8. If you've seen our Kryptos Servers you will notice the focus on a windows-based system. Simply, Windows just sounds better. We use our custom-built windows OS, which we've reduced from a 3.5GB installation to 2GB Installation. This removes quite a bit of garbage from the windows architecture and dramatically improves the sound. By running Windows as the final "piece" of your Mac Mini puzzle you can truly remove that "Mac" sound and have a truly reference music server.

Internal Power Filters -- What's the difference?

Each IPF is a DC Filter board that gets installed inside the Mac Mini chassis in place of the stock SMPS. It has a logic board cable on one end and a 2.5MM jack on the other for connecting to the power supply. See below for instructions on installing the kit.

IPF1: Basic Filter board offering ~20dB reduction in noise

IPF2: Cascading multi-filter board offering ~35dB reduction in noise

IPF3: The monster. Comprised of a cascading CLCLC filter, bank of 40 capacitors, and utilizes a prioprietary Core-designed noise filter to offer a 75dB reduction in noise 100khz-10ghz. It's then shielded with our Cryo-shield fabric -- oh, and it still fits inside the chassis, don't you just love technology? 

DIRAC LIVE Room Correction Service

Dirac Live is, quite frankly, the best room correction system available. The Dirac software runs parallel to any audio software and doesn't require fancy routing or hardware configurations to work. Setup is a breeze and we walk you through it so that you can quickly get back to doing what you love.

This system is custom tailored for Core Audio Technology, we offer our own customized correction algorithms and curves so that you get the ultimate performance from your Dirac Live Configuration.

The Dirac Service:

• 
  Tailored set-up and configuration of Dirac Software in your system


• Includes High Quality RTA Microphone, Mic Stand, and USB Mic Preamp


• Education for future room correction should your system change.

Anti-Vibration

High Frequency vibration in audio electronics can wreak havoc on your sound. Microvibrations down in the nanosecond range create stray magnetic fields, which in turn create noise voltages in your component and limit dynamic range, resolution, and harmonic content.

We do not believe in "tuning" your equipment through the use of feet. Stillpoints will not change the tonal color of our equipment, instead it increases microdynamics, resolution, and spacial characteristics within the system quite dramatically.

 STILLPOINTS

We offer two footer options, both of which are a significant component upgrade. The Ultra SS (pictured right) offers one packet of stillpoints antivibration technology, so using 4 per component offers a total of 4 anti-vibration pockets. The ultra 5 (Left) offers 5 packets per footer and a total of 20 isolation packets per component. The ultra 5 is expensive, but the upgrade is the equivalent of tripling the price of our product.

The Stillpoints work as an isolation device. There are two paths for vibration to travel, from stand to component and from component to stand. The stillpoints offer separate paths for each type of vibration and have no direct vertical path from top to bottom. Instead they use ceramic bearings in a stainless steel housing to dissipate the microvibration as heat extremely rapidly. Unlike most isolation devices and footers, these footers work on ultra high frequencies rather than within the audio band, this is they key to successful vibration isolation. Their effect is simply incredible and certainly worth the price of admission.

Simplify that for me?

• Modify the Mac Mini by removing the internal power supply and bypassing it for use with our internal power filter.


• Optimize the operating system for audio use (This is less important with our latest power supply upgrades and we only do it upon special request).


• Optionally Install Windows


• Assemble and design a high-bandwidth linear power supply for use specifically with the Mac Mini


• Cryo-Shield the Mac Mini Chassis.


• Mac Mini Teardown for removing the internal power supply can be found here: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac-Mini-Mid-2011-Teardown/6131/1
  

Options?

• SSD Installation


• RAM Upgrades


• Power Supply upgrades


• IPF upgrades


• DC Cable Upgrades


• Mac Mini Cryo-Shield upgrade


• Dirac Live Room Correction Service


• Install Windows


• Stillpoints Equipment Feet

The kit version is $100 cheaper.

Mac Mini Server FAQ

 

Q. What is required for the Mac Mini Modification and installation of the IPF?

A. A Torx T8 and T6 driver. No soldering required. We can usually complete the modification from open to close in under 15 minutes. If you are installing or duplicated an SSD that time frame can be several hours.

Q. Which is the most bang for the buck?

A. Our most popular kit is Kora + IPF2 + DCS2. Our IPF3 is a real game changer so if there's one upgrade we can tempt you on, it would be to spend your money there.

Q. Is it worth upgrading to a Kalos? What's the difference?

A. If stock Mac Mini to Kora is a 300% Improvement, Stock Mac Mini to Kalos is 450%. To us, it's well worth the price and is a significant upgrade. As a comparison, we consider upgrading the SSD to be a 25% improvement. I would upgrade to the IPF3 before upgrading to a Kalos.

Q. Do you ship to [x]

A. Yes. Our shopping cart will automatically calculate shipping costs for you. International shipping is becoming more expensive, if you have a domestic address for shipping we can include you in our free shipping program.

Q. How important is the DC Cable?

A. The DC cable is very important as it can pick up considerable noise in the short 1M distance between the power supply and IPF board.

Q. My system is not very expensive, is it worth spending the extra money on [X]

A. Your system is only as good as your source. You will have much better sonic results with a $1500 power supply on a computer and a $100 amp, than you would with a $1500 amp on a stock computer. You can never fix a bad signal that comes out of your source.

Q. What material is your Cryo-Shield? Is it ERS Paper?

A. No. We tested ERS paper, and while it is effective, it didn't serve our purpose. Our current materials are designed to absorb noise with a 60-70dB reduction from below 10mhz to over 100ghz, so it has a very high bandwidth and high absorption. It's quite a bit higher-end and more expensive than ERS.