[Trogdor]

I have a 2008 Macbook Pro (Penryn I believe).  I have an optical line output via the headphone jack apparently.  I now realize that this is an OPTICAL line out so I need a mini-toslink adapter with toslink cable:
 
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1596
 
Okay....but the Hifiman input is coaxial so do I really need:
 
MBP->mini-Toslink adapter->Toslink cable->Toslink to Coaxial converter -> HM-801?
 
OR could I use something like this:
 
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-ILS100TM-1M-Toslink-Digital-Audio-Interconnect/dp/B00003CWA9
 
So I would have:
 
MBP->mini-Toslink adapter->the cable above->HM-801?
 
I stupidly just bought a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable which the HM-801 recognizes (I get Coax DAC picture) but no sound.
 
Any ideas?
 
(I am totally unfamiliar with Toslink)
 
After some googling it seems that I might need a Toslink-to-Digital Coaxial converter box to make it work with the Hifiman since the HM-801 is not optical in (coaxial in only)?  This is really making the chain painful.

 

[lisnalee]

Yeah the hifiman is coaxial or usb in only.
 
Have you thought about using a usb to spdif converter instead of using the optical out?
 
I was using the usb from my iMac into my HM-801 but wasn't overly impressed with it, so bought the little M2Tech hiface converter so i could using the coax in instead and be able to play 24/96 straight from the iMac.
 
My setup is now iMac -> hiface -> custom rca to mini coax cable -> HM-801 coax in
 
You don't even need a custom cable as you could just use a std Rca to Rca spdif cable and attach the little adaptor that comes with the player.

 

[Trogdor]

Thats what I figured.  I suppose I could get a Toslink to Digital converter and that *should* work.  Ew vay.  I might pick up the Hiface anyway since I need it for the JH-3A setup come end of Summer/early Fall.

 

[mrarroyo]

I too would get a converter and feed the HM-8801 via the coaxial input.

 

[Trogdor]

Bought a M2Tech HiFace.