Henry, looking at your plan B I still don't think that Toslink will give you the same performance as a USB connection. I had several people over today and we performed some more comparisons in my system:
1) Slimdevices Transporter direct using the internal DAC in the Transporter
2) Transporter feeding Benchmark DAC1 via toslink
3) Mac Mini feeding Benchmark DAC1 via USB
Out of the above 1) and 2) were very similar, despite the different DACs.
Switching to USB made the biggest difference, i.e. 3) was clearly better, less hf noise, tighter more extended bass.
As for remote contrallability: The Macbook as well as the Mac Mini come with a Infrared remote to control iTunes or Frontrow. Alternatively take a look at Salling Clicker, which allows you to use a PDA or cellphone as remote (works great too).
Again, just my own experience, but have been playing with several of the combinations you suggested in my own system.
1) Slimdevices Transporter direct using the internal DAC in the Transporter
2) Transporter feeding Benchmark DAC1 via toslink
3) Mac Mini feeding Benchmark DAC1 via USB
Out of the above 1) and 2) were very similar, despite the different DACs.
Switching to USB made the biggest difference, i.e. 3) was clearly better, less hf noise, tighter more extended bass.
As for remote contrallability: The Macbook as well as the Mac Mini come with a Infrared remote to control iTunes or Frontrow. Alternatively take a look at Salling Clicker, which allows you to use a PDA or cellphone as remote (works great too).
Again, just my own experience, but have been playing with several of the combinations you suggested in my own system.