[electricity]

Hi guys!
 
Before I start my post I would like to apologise in advance for my ignorance and lack of knowledge in this field :/
 
Here's my current setup:
 
- Macbook pro
- Harmon Kardon AVR365 Amp w/ 5.1 speakers
- Sony TV with ARC
 
Currently, to get the audio out of my macbook to the amp, I've connected the HDMI from my Macbook to the receiver's input and another HDMI from the receiver to my Sony TV to mirror my Macbook's screen.
 
The problem is some of my songs (played from iTunes) tend to get cut off for the first 1-2 seconds on this setup. Trying an alternative setup by connecting my Macbook to the Sony TV (HDMI) and from the Sony TV to my receiver (Optical Cable) also produces the same problem.
 
However, when I try using a 3.5mm jack from my Macbook to the analog port in my receiver, this problem does not surface.
 
It's been months and somehow I can't get past this problem... so now I'm thinking of getting an external USB sound card (Creative) to see if it works.
 
If any kind soul could provide me with valuable advice (such as any other alternatives/ whether a sound card would 'degrade' the sound quality etc.) I would very much appreciate it
 
So sorry for the long post once again and thanks in advanced!
Merry Christmas!!

 

[drews]

You can use an optical cable from your Mac to your receiver.

 

[Xabiere Lee]

Hey have you tried using the external usb sound card? I have been having the same problem and wanted to know if you have had any luck with that. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Here's my current setup: - Macbook pro
- Harmon Kardon AVR365 Amp w/ 5.1 speakers
- Sony TV with ARC
Currently, to get the audio out of my macbook to the amp, I've connected the HDMI from my Macbook to the receiver's input and another HDMI from the receiver to my Sony TV to mirror my Macbook's screen.
The problem is some of my songs (played from iTunes) tend to get cut off for the first 1-2 seconds on this setup. Trying an alternative setup by connecting my Macbook to the Sony TV (HDMI) and from the Sony TV to my receiver (Optical Cable) also produces the same problem.
However, when I try using a 3.5mm jack from my Macbook to the analog port in my receiver, this problem does not surface.
It's been months and somehow I can't get past this problem... so now I'm thinking of getting an external USB sound card (Creative) to see if it works.
If any kind soul could provide me with valuable advice (such as any other alternatives/ whether a sound card would 'degrade' the sound quality etc.) I would very much appreciate it
So sorry for the long post once again and thanks in advanced!
Merry Christmas!!

I'm guessing the HDMI "handshaking" is causing a delay, I'm guessing the Macbook & AVR-365 and Sony TV has to "agree" to the type of audio signal that is being sent thru the HDMI cable before the digital audio can pass.
 
I'm guess what you want is to improve the iTunes music audio quality, that is being sent from the Macbook to the AVR-365.
So what you need is an external USB DAC, not a USB sound card.
Schiit Modi USB DAC, $99.

 

[drews]

His amp will have Toslink input so a 3.5mm to Toslink cable will solve his problem for a couple of dollars....

Drew

 

[arashb]

Turn off the TV and use your MBP to play just audio through the receiver without mirroring your display.  Still the same thing happening?

 

[electricity]

Hi everyone and thank you very much for the responses!
 
@drews - Hmm... my Macbook Pro doesn't have a native optical port... If that's what you mean? :/
 
@Purple Angel - Alright! Maybe I'll try that out! Thanks!
 
@drews - Hi again! lol. Umm... just checking, will this setup "downscale" my audio in any way? Cause I once heard from the guy who sold me the Harmon say that using the 3.5mm port tends to produce 'lower quality' sound or something like that?
 
@arashb - Yeap! still the same problem
 
Thanks again guys!

 

[electricity]

@ Xabiere Lee - Nope haven't tried it out yet! Trying to determine the source of error to avoid wasting money... haha!

 

[drews]

 
@drews - Hmm... my Macbook Pro doesn't have a native optical port... If that's what you mean? :/
 
 
Thanks again guys!

 
It almost certainly DOES have a native optical port - I've owned many MacBook pros over the years and the 3.5mm jack has always been a combo analog+optical output - if you use a cable like this you get a bit-perfect digital optical ouput (up to 96Khz) to your A/V receiver (or another DAC)!
 
http://www.amazon.com/HOSA-TOSLINK-mini-Toslink-FIBER-OPTIC-CABLE/dp/B00006LVF3
 
Drew
 
P.S. Your Harmon salesman just assumed (like you!) that the 3.5mm jack is analog-only...

 

[electricity]

This is amazing!
Thanks Drews! I'll try it out tomorrow!