Exciting stuff - so you went for the standard Mini rather than the server. Did you leave it with the 2GB of RAM? Looks like the toggling for the analog/digital means I'll definitely be needing to get the CM388 converter to get both simultaneously out of the HDMI.

[quote user="elephant"] I have heard good things about Drobo, but it seems expensive here, whereas the Apple store/AU throws this up as a recommened option for the MacMini server: The Promise SmartStor DS4600 RAID subsystem is the perfect external storage solution for Mac mini. Configured with either four 7200-rpm 1TB SATA drives or four 7200

True but might there be some hassles using a machine configured as a server? I might be tempted to upgrade the base one to 2.66 and 4GB (same as server) which comes out about the same price as the server - would just be missing out on the larger hard disc - but I plan to have a larger expandable NAS eg Drobo so not too worried about this. If didn't

Well, I've asked Steve Jobs and he's apologised for not fully reading my email and therefore for not including the analog outputs on the new MacMini. So looks like I'll be going with the MacMini-CM388 solution. My question is about the spec of the MacMini; not withstanding the general maxim to get the highest spec possible, money is a factor

If I'd known it was so easy I'd have asked for more!

Thank you all, particularly Stefan, for your time and input on this. Think I pretty much know what I'm going to do now - wait for rumoured new MacMini with hopefully the HDMI output, then try the CM388. Will definitely report back as to how it goes. In the meantime I'll have to think of something else to occupy the mind during the dragging days

Yes - I've seen rumours of this - as you say may well be sensible to wait for this

[quote user="stefan"] Yes, should work. It`s similiar to my setup descibed above. But why connect the mini`s coax out to the CM-388 ? It`s just a passthrough, you can connect it directly to BV7-40. [/quote] Good point thanks - might save a few $$ on my cable/converter bill! [quote user="stefan"] BTW the DAC should be able to detect

[quote user="PhilLondon"] Dylan, do you own that Mac mini already or you're going to buy it? p. [/quote] Nope, not yet, BV7 doesn't even arrive for another couple of weeks! Am feeling more confident that I can get it to work so may well get one soon after the BV7 arrives. Credit where it's due - one of the main drivers for me getting

Thanks Elephant for the wiring diagram - will take me a while to digest but looks interesting. Phil, unfortunately, from the CM388 product info "Analog L/R audio outputs are not available when the audio input is Coaxial" so I can't see a way of avoidiing the DAC D