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need help with computer output

djnagle

djnagle

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hi All. I am helping an old friend out with a new system and need help. I recommended and he bought the JBL Studio 590 speakers and the Denon PMA-600NE integrated amp.

He got TIDAL and has an iMac computer to control TIDAL. Here is the problem.

The Denon has 1 Coax and 2 Optical inputs and of course all the RCAs but the iMac only has the USB outputs.

How do I make that work???
 
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USB to analog/optical/coaxial converter. One might say USB DAC but technically that would be only if includes analog outputs (which is fairly common).

There are tons of different ones from $ to $$$$. There are Schiit devices like Modi. Schiit is fairly popular, as is Topping, et al.
 
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If your friend doesn't want to use (or the iMac couldn't be configured to transfer audio via) Bluetooth, you'll need some kind of USB sound interface with electrical (aka coaxial) or optcal SPDIF output. These exist in various price ranges and with various feature-sets from very spartanic (USB in to SPDIF out only - e.g. Douk Audio U2) to full-featured (with all sorts of analogue I/Os, MIDI I/O and SPDIF I/O - e.g. Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 (3rd gen.)).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
My old iMac had the hidden optical output via the headphone jack. However, there was no indication on the Mac that it had that option. I would suggest you check the specifications for the specific model on the apple web site.
 
12 years old is interesting, but still need more info to go on...

ask your friend to click on the apple menu and select "About this mac"

you will see some more info on the model.

here is a screenshot from the laptop i am on:

upload_2021-1-10_21-28-36.png

Note the line that says "MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

His screen will indicate the model. you can then use that info on the apple support web site to see if that specific model has digital out. it probably does have digital out.
 
ap14608 said:
12 years old is interesting, but still need more info to go on...

ask your friend to click on the apple menu and select "About this mac"

you will see some more info on the model.

here is a screenshot from the laptop i am on:

View attachment 2093565

Note the line that says "MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

His screen will indicate the model. you can then use that info on the apple support web site to see if that specific model has digital out. it probably does have digital out.
Click to expand...

I have one of those. It is a very nice performer. I also have a Mid 2012 15 pre-Retina, which is even better.
 
Can iMacs be upgraded to better soundcards? Or is this a laptop??
+1 on the schitt Modi. Runs on USB power too.
 
I'm still waiting to hear back from him. Hope its 2008 or better. I'm not an apple guy but that is advanced for 2008.
 
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