Digital audio output

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Digital audio output - iMac USB

Geektastic

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#270020 20-Apr-2020 10:40

iMacs will output digital audio via USB.

My iMac Pro has USB C as well as standard USB A. The C ports are also Thunderbolt 3.

I cannot find information as to whether the USB C ports will output digital audio (to connect a DAC) or not and if they do, whether there is any difference is ability between the two types of port.

Does anyone know?

lxsw20

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#2465942 20-Apr-2020 11:20

It doesn't matter the connector is USB-C, the standard behind it is USB 3 so its fine.

BlinkyBill

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#2465944 20-Apr-2020 11:21

Why wouldn’t they? The AudioQuest DragonTail https://www.audioquest.com/dacs/usb-extension/dragontail-usb-c is designed to take files from USBC ports and plug a dac into the other end.

I’ve heard that Dragonfly Dac’s are pretty good, btw.

Geektastic

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#2466729 21-Apr-2020 01:03

BlinkyBill:

Why wouldn’t they? The AudioQuest DragonTail https://www.audioquest.com/dacs/usb-extension/dragontail-usb-c is designed to take files from USBC ports and plug a dac into the other end.

I’ve heard that Dragonfly Dac’s are pretty good, btw.

Yes they are.

I have no idea. Apple do funny things. For example, the 3.5mm headphone socket was also an optical out on Macs for years as well. Now, it isn't.

roderickh

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#2466789 21-Apr-2020 08:22

It was disappointing when they removed the optical outs on the "pro" model. FWIW I pair up my 2017 rMBP with a 34UC99 through TB3 and have wired in a Topping DAC through the monitor to a set of Audioengine P4s.

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Geektastic

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#2466908 21-Apr-2020 10:47

roderickh:

It was disappointing when they removed the optical outs on the "pro" model. FWIW I pair up my 2017 rMBP with a 34UC99 through TB3 and have wired in a Topping DAC through the monitor to a set of Audioengine P4s.

Nice. I am hooking up an iFi Micro iDSD Black Label, initially for headphones. I will be adding some speakers in due course - how do you find the Audioengines?

My plan for the main system in the new house is Naim Unity Atom + speakers yet to be determined but possibly Dynaudio or B&W.

BlinkyBill

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#2466918 21-Apr-2020 11:14

I listened to the Atom just prior to the lockdown. It sounded great; I seem to recall they went through focal 926’s.

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roderickh

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#2467166 21-Apr-2020 15:51

Geektastic:

Nice. I am hooking up an iFi Micro iDSD Black Label, initially for headphones. I will be adding some speakers in due course - how do you find the Audioengines?

My plan for the main system in the new house is Naim Unity Atom + speakers yet to be determined but possibly Dynaudio or B&W.

They aren't the best thing around, but for what I paid through trademe they definitely do the job fine. I run a E10K with the HD58X for headphone equipment..

The stuff you mentioned looks real good and I bet it sounds real good too, but my ears probably aren't trained enough to appreciate it.

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