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Rhamnetin
172
May 30, 2018
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It's not "extremely good" just better than most motherboards. If you're used to say high end NOS R2R DACs or Chord's recent high end DACs then there is a world of difference.
May 30, 2018
RayF
22213
Jun 4, 2018
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Rhamnetinhttps://hometheaterreview.com/turning-a-mac-into-an-audiophile-source-component/
Connections There are three ways to get hi-res audio out of your Mac: 1) through an optical Toslink cable connected to the headphone output; 2) through a USB cable; and 3) through a standard stereo eighth-inch mini-jack connected to the headphone out--which will use the Mac's excellent internal DAC that supports up to 24-bit/192-kHz.

Play high sample rate digital audio on Mac computers
The audio hardware in some MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, and iMac computers supports 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz digital audio when connected using optical output.These computers support up to 192 kHz sample rate for audio playback:
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013) through MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) through MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
  • iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014) through iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2014)
  • iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) through iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
  • Mac Pro (Late 2013) 
  • Mac mini (Late 2014) 
To set your Mac to play high sample rate audio:
  1. Connect one end of a TOSLINK optical cable to the headphone port on your Mac, and connect the other end to your audio device, such as an AV receiver.
  2. Open Audio MIDI Setup, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
  3. Select your audio device from the list on the left side of the Audio Devices window.
  4. If necessary, choose “Use this device for sound output” from the Action pop-up menu  .
  5. Select a sample rate, such as 176400.0 Hz or 192000.0 Hz, from the Format pop-up menu.
If the audio hardware in your Mac doesn't support high sample rate audio, you can use a third-party digital audio interface.Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Risks are inherent in the use of the Internet. Contact the vendor for additional information. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.Published Date:June 6, 2017
Jun 4, 2018
Joeri
19
Jun 5, 2018
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RayFHey Ray, Do you have any idea if there is an ideal sound level to use on your macbook when I connect the jack to a an amp? Should I crank it all the way up or not ?
Jun 5, 2018
RayF
22213
Jun 5, 2018
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JoeriGenerally the answer is No, you wouldn't want to max out the Mac's sound. You'd probably be good up 80 or 90%, but even that much shouldn't be necessary with a reasonably good amp. Let the amp, do the amplification.
whether it's true or not in the Mac's case, the idea was that you'd end up distorting the source signal if you cranked it up too far. My amp is connected to a USB port now, but when I ran everything through the headphone jack (to a pair of powered monitors), I never turned anything up beyond 50%. By the way, I'm talking iMac here, I never really used my MacBook as my primary sound source.
Other than that, just twist a few knobs until you get something you like, chances are you probably won't break anything ;- )
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Jun 5, 2018
ElectronicVices
2937
Jun 5, 2018
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JoeriUnless something has drastically changed with Mac's volume control, it is in the digital domain. This means lowering the volume will reduce the bit depth of the track being played in order to reduce the volume. You will want to maximize the volume, under the caveat that the input voltage range of your downstream devices can handle that without clipping. Long story short, when choosing not to use a line-level source with a digital volume control you want the volume as loud as possible without causing clipping or distortion.
Edit: I wanted to point out that I am not necessarily condemning digital volume control but if you are throwing a POT or other analog device in the chain might as well start off with as many bits as possible. Running 16 bit content through a 24 or 32 bit environment is less of a concern as you start with an 8 to 16 bit pad.
Jun 5, 2018
RayF
22213
Jun 5, 2018
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ElectronicVicesFirst question: do you presently own a Mac, and if so, is it by chance, a MacSE?
Here's a thought, if a lame operating system like Windoze Vista figured out how to work around the issue you suggest (as noted below), doesn't it follow that: A) Microsoft snagged the technology from Apple in the first place, and that B) Apple likely introduced the process about a half-dozen System versions ago?
Admittedly, both my iMac and MacBook are a couple of years old now, but even if the facts were still as you present them, I'm still willing to say the difference from turning up the computer's volume to 100% vs. my suggestion of setting it no higher than 90% produces no audible sound quality difference. On the other hand, at 100% it's much easier to introduce distortion into the mix (with headphones or speakers).
@Lyman Enders Knowles pointed out in the comments that the issue of bit depth reduction does not apply to modern operating systems. Specifically, starting with Vista, Windows automatically upsamples all audio streams to 32-bit floating point before doing any attenuation. This means that, however low you turn the volume, there should be no effective loss of resolution. Still, eventually the audio has to be downconverted (to 16-bit, or 24-bit if the DAC supports that), which will introduce some quantisation errors. Also, attenuating first and amplifying later will increase the noise floor, so the advice to keep software levels at 100% and attenuate in hardware, as close to the end of your audio chain as possible, still stands.
Jun 5, 2018
ElectronicVices
2937
Jun 7, 2018
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RayFRay you can reply to me all you want, I won't be engaging you. You either post silly banter in an effort to garner endorsements (on every drop on the site) or post pics of how much you love arranging stuff on your desk /your die-hard fandom for Apple. I don't get enjoyment out of discussing any of that with you but I thank you for including a reaffirmation of my point. Keep software volume control at 100% when possible.
Jun 7, 2018
RayF
22213
Jun 7, 2018
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ElectronicVicesOh-oh--and I won't be replying to anymore of your pompous--ass ramblings either!!! Playground enough response for you?
My suggestion is turn your shit up so loud none of us, in this fairly Mac-centric thread, have to hear your rather uneducated, and antiquated Apple-envy comments. Stick to what you know: Game Boys, Magic Cards, Barbie and Ken dolls--you know, stuff you actually own. But most importantly, go find a Community or Tread that values your opinion. 'Cuz in this one, you blow.
Jun 7, 2018
Jemma
22
Jun 8, 2018
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RayFBeen seeing a lot of your posts lately, it's pretty evident you have a very high opinion of yourself and enjoy mocking anyone who actually have a different opinion. Should try playing nice sometime, it will do you some good.
Jun 8, 2018
RayF
22213
Jun 8, 2018
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JemmaI'm confused
As to the charges: 1. Guilty 2. Not especially guilty. 3. Happens all the time.
I'm sort of the Take it or Leave it type. You're welcome to join either club.
Jun 8, 2018
bootster1
61
Dec 26, 2018
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JemmaPosting a picture of a vanity mirror with a host of cover up colognes underneath the mirror tells us everything we need to know. Smells like a cover up to me. :)
Dec 26, 2018
RayF
22213
Dec 26, 2018
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bootster1Now there's an idea! You're more than welcome to come over and try a few dabs of my "colognes"--as a matter of fact, I'd be glad to dab several bottles on you!
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Dec 26, 2018
rcpmac
0
Aug 25, 2023
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RayFThis thread is years old but if I'm here researching so will others. In my optical output setup, Toslink out to Denon AVR in, there IS NO volume control from the iMac. This makes sense because volume is controlling the imac amplifier is bypassed with the digital output going optically to the Denon DAC. One can control volume via the streaming service in some cases.
Aug 25, 2023
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