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Usb to Spdif Question

post #1 of 9
2/2/11 at 3:58am
Thread Starter 

Hey guys,

 

I just wanted to check. I want to add a line out of sorts to my Macbook Pro. I would then be connecting that to my Fiio e5 and then to my headphone of choice. I will be getting a better amp at some point, but this is where I'm starting (Fiio E5). Will this product work:

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829118007&cm_re=usb_to_spdif-_-29-118-007-_-Product

 

Thanks a lot!

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post #2 of 9
2/2/11 at 4:22am

Your MacBook Pro has an optical output built into the headphone socket. All you need is a mini-optical cable. However, the E3 is only an analogue amplifier, it doesn't have a DAC, so it's irrelevant.

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post #3 of 9
2/2/11 at 9:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post

Your MacBook Pro has an optical output built into the headphone socket. All you need is a mini-optical cable. However, the E3 is only an analogue amplifier, it doesn't have a DAC, so it's irrelevant.



Oh, ok - so I need one of those toslink adapters (ends up with an optical adapter) but the Fiio E5 simply doesn't have an input for optical. Is there any usb to spdif that I could get for my Macbook - I'm just trying to bypass any system sounds that seem to sometimes pass through the headphone output.

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post #4 of 9
2/2/11 at 3:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedv1 View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post

Your MacBook Pro has an optical output built into the headphone socket. All you need is a mini-optical cable. However, the E3 is only an analogue amplifier, it doesn't have a DAC, so it's irrelevant.



Oh, ok - so I need one of those toslink adapters (ends up with an optical adapter) but the Fiio E5 simply doesn't have an input for optical. Is there any usb to spdif that I could get for my Macbook - I'm just trying to bypass any system sounds that seem to sometimes pass through the headphone output.


By outputting a digital signal, the optical output on your Macbook  "bypass[es] any system sounds".

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post #5 of 9
2/2/11 at 3:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by terriblepaulz View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedv1 View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post

Your MacBook Pro has an optical output built into the headphone socket. All you need is a mini-optical cable. However, the E3 is only an analogue amplifier, it doesn't have a DAC, so it's irrelevant.



Oh, ok - so I need one of those toslink adapters (ends up with an optical adapter) but the Fiio E5 simply doesn't have an input for optical. Is there any usb to spdif that I could get for my Macbook - I'm just trying to bypass any system sounds that seem to sometimes pass through the headphone output.


By outputting a digital signal, the optical output on your Macbook  "bypass[es] any system sounds".



So best bet is to get an amp/dac that accepts optical in?

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post #6 of 9
2/2/11 at 4:17pm

That's right.

 

Are you getting "system sounds" with your E5?

 

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post #7 of 9
2/2/11 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post

That's right.

 

Are you getting "system sounds" with your E5?

 



I'll tell you when I get it lol

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post #8 of 9
2/7/11 at 2:36am

Yes, get an amp with built in DAC (loads out there).

You may be better going for USB rather than optical for better value.

Once you have this, in audio properties, you can choose to send system sounds to the internal sound card and audio to the DAC.  This works really well.

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post #9 of 9
2/7/11 at 6:23am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 0rangutan View Post

Yes, get an amp with built in DAC (loads out there).

You may be better going for USB rather than optical for better value.

Once you have this, in audio properties, you can choose to send system sounds to the internal sound card and audio to the DAC.  This works really well.



Just bought the fiio E7 - so I'm good now, thanks !

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