[glorkaglickflic]

As the title states, I'm looking to connect my late 2012 iMac to Topping D50S via USB (of course connecting Topping D50S to Stax SRM 323S via RCA). USB connection to the Topping will produce higher res than a mini Toslink to Toslink Optical S/PDIF, which would connect from the headphone output jack on the rear of the iMac. Is there a way for the IMac to have a USB output to the Topping?

 

[PurpleAngel]

I'm assuming the 2012 iMac does not have any USB outputs?

 

[glorkaglickflic]

That is why I'm asking this question.

 

[buke9]

It doesn’t have usb?

 

[glorkaglickflic]

It has 4 USB inputs, on the back. What I am looking for is a way to get the Mac to output to the USB input on the Topping DAC.

 

[PurpleAngel]

It has 4 USB inputs, on the back. What I am looking for is a way to get the Mac to output to the USB input on the Topping DAC.

What about running a USB cable from the iMac's USB port to the USB port on the Topping D50S DAC?

 

[dairy]

The USB ports on your Mac are not just "input" ports. As with most USB interfaces, they allow data transfer both ways. You'll need a USB Type-A male to USB Type-B male cable to connect the USB port on the back of your Mac to the USB port on the DAC

 

[glorkaglickflic]

Thank you very much for that information, dairy. I have an additional question: from what I've seen, the USB Type-A male to USB Type-B male cable is for connecting the PC (or Mac, in my case) to a printer. Wouldn't you need a (USB-IF specified) , higher gauge, fully shielded wire to carry signal to the DAC?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Thank you very much for that information, dairy. I have an additional question: from what I've seen, the USB Type-A male to USB Type-B male cable is for connecting the PC (or Mac, in my case) to a printer. Wouldn't you need a (USB-IF specified) , higher gauge, fully shielded wire to carry signal to the DAC?

USB ports (type-A, type-B, type-C, mini-USB, micro-B, etc) are two way communications between the two devices (PCs, Macs, printers, mice, keyboard, digital cameras, ext storage, etc)
Fully shielded or higher gauge is nice, but not 100% required.

 

[dairy]

If you have a printer cable available at home, I would suggest using that first and to see if you're happy with it. You could always get a better cable later if you're not satisfied.