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User profile for user: SylvesterHayhurst
SylvesterHayhurst Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Digital Audio Out from new 2021 16" MacBook Pro

I have used my 2011 17" MacBook Pro as my music server for years to provide a digital signal (via optical audio out) to my Bryston BP-26 Preamplifier with its on-board, high-quality DAC.


This has worked very well, but my old MacBook finally became unusable, so I have migrated to a new 2021 16" MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Pro chip- but NO optical audio out.


I need to find a converting device which will pick up the digital signal from the Mac via USB-C and send it to my preamp (which does not process USB) via digital coaxial cable. This is feeding a rather high-end sound system, so I need very good quality. But not "price-is-no-object" quality.


I'd really appreciate any suggestions or feedback from other Mac audiophiles who may have run into a similar connectivity issue, or who are just so darn smart about this stuff that they could point me in the right direction.


Thanks in advance!


MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.4

Posted on Jun 4, 2022 7:10 PM

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User profile for user: Marco Klobas
Marco Klobas
User level: Level 6
8,279 points

Posted on Jun 5, 2022 11:57 AM

Your MacBook Pro carries an HDMI port. You could use an HDMI de-embedder to extract digital audio like this one (there are many similar devices on the market):


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KRWYN4R/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07KRWYN4R&linkCode=as2&tag=nickthesick-20&linkId=0a64d352c37a3a08d4250283e2a1d805


Another option is a USB-C to SPIDF converter. I've found one here – currently it's unavailable and the Mac-specific reviews are mixed:


https://www.amazon.com/Reiyin-Optical-Coaxial-Converter-Decoder/dp/B07ZSQV8JX


Another pricier option is a dock like this one which offers, among other things, optical and coaxial digital audio output:


https://www.hypershop.com/products/hyperdrive-gen2-18-in-1-usb-c-hub


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User profile for user: Marco Klobas
Marco Klobas
User level: Level 6
8,279 points

Jun 5, 2022 11:57 AM in response to SylvesterHayhurst

Your MacBook Pro carries an HDMI port. You could use an HDMI de-embedder to extract digital audio like this one (there are many similar devices on the market):


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KRWYN4R/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07KRWYN4R&linkCode=as2&tag=nickthesick-20&linkId=0a64d352c37a3a08d4250283e2a1d805


Another option is a USB-C to SPIDF converter. I've found one here – currently it's unavailable and the Mac-specific reviews are mixed:


https://www.amazon.com/Reiyin-Optical-Coaxial-Converter-Decoder/dp/B07ZSQV8JX


Another pricier option is a dock like this one which offers, among other things, optical and coaxial digital audio output:


https://www.hypershop.com/products/hyperdrive-gen2-18-in-1-usb-c-hub


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Digital Audio Out from new 2021 16" MacBook Pro

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