hdmi audio to coaxial optical? (Mac Pro and Mac Studio)

Question

hdmi audio to coaxial optical? (Mac Pro and Mac Studio)

My 2013 Mac Pro has a coaxial combined optical audio output jack, which I used successfully to link it to my hi-fi rig. As a result I am the proud owner of a very long optical audio cable.

My Mac Studio, which now has my music on it, does not appear to output optical audio through the headphone jack as far as I can tell – it uses an HDMI port for both video and audio. (Please correct me if I am wrong.)

Assuming I am not wrong, can anyone recommend an HDMI to coaxial optical converter based on personal experience that will allow me to pass audio from the Studio into the optical cable? I've looked at a fair few on Amazon, but you can always find a load of folks claiming that any specific converter is rubbish.

I am in the UK.

Mac Studio, macOS 13.6

Posted on Oct 8, 2024 11:39 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

82,060 points

Oct 8, 2024 5:57 PM in response to Steve Rickaby

Yea' you'll need a USB to optical digital converter or DAC to connect via TOS that beast.

In the mean time, you should be able to use an simple analog 3.5mm to RCA audio cable from the Mac Studio's headphone port, if the beast also supports RCA input.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

82,060 points

Oct 8, 2024 2:49 PM in response to Steve Rickaby

Apple dropped digital output from all Mac's around 2017.

Instead of an HDMI solution, get a USB to optical digital converter or DAC.

for a couple of examples

https://www.amazon.com/LiNKFOR-Coaxial-Headphone-Converter-Optical/dp/B07SR7BYD6/ref=sr_1_5?

or the

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-TOSLINK-Optical-Smartphone-Amplifier/dp/B0CFY25QBH/ref=asc_df_B0CFY25QBH/?

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Answer 3

Oct 8, 2024 4:08 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks. The optical cable actually feeds into a (very upmarket) DAC at the other end.

I will follow your line of reasoning and look for a USB solution that's available in the UK. You've saved me chasing up a lode of blind alleys.

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Answer 4

Oct 8, 2024 5:31 PM in response to den.thed

It’s an old but very good ARCAM Delta one bit converter, allegedly handbuilt in the 1990s. Optical inputs are via TOS. For direct CD playing it’s paired with the matching Delta CD transport: the two are phase locked together, or some other magical method.

I put together the whole system From eBay round about 2008. It consists of what would’ve been my dream system around 1992, had I been able to afford it then.

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Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

82,060 points

Oct 8, 2024 5:07 PM in response to Steve Rickaby

You're welcome.

What DAC do you currently have..?

Maybe there is another way of cornering this beast in the alley.

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