Macbook Pro to DacMagic via 6m Toslink??

[admin_exported]

I want to get a DacMagic for use with my Macbook Pro, I want to connect via a long toslink (about 6m), is this a bad idea? Will it degrade the music?

 

Thanks 

 

[Anonymous]

No, I used to connect in the front room via an 8m and I can't tell any difference over the 0.5m I'm using now. Just watch you don't damage them as they aren't as robust as electrical cables.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm with Octopo, I use a 3m (not as long as you need, but still generally quite long) and it sounds great.

 

[Anonymous]

That's fantastic news, thanks!ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

A few more questions about his:

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1. Can anyone recommend a toslink cable to match my system below? Does it matter much? (i need 6m)ÿ

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2. So I just plu it into my Macbook and it works? (I have never used the optical out on my computer so I don't know if I have to config anything...)

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3. Is it possible to cancel other sounds from sounding while listening through optical (i.e. mail sounds, download finish sounds, alerts etc)??

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4. So am I right in saying that my Macbook Pro does not contain any DAC?ÿ

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Thanksÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Pmaninit,

1. I use a QED OT optical cable from my MacBook Pro to the DACMagic (only around 30 quid for 3 metres), but this depends on your budget and if you like any particular brands. The Chord Optichord is a good cable I hear.

2. You will need a Mini-Toslink adapter to make the optical go into the MBP's headphone port, I purchased mine [along with the optical cable] from www.futureshop.co.uk for around a fiver, but these can be obtained cheaper off eBay etc. If you buy a special cable with the adapter already fitted then you obviously wouldn't need to buy another one! For example the Chord Optichord Toslink-MiniToslink.

3. I would test this but I'm at Uni at the mo, so can't help there.

4. Spot on!

Hope that helps..

 

[Anonymous]

Blunny89:Hi Pmaninit,1. I use a QED OT optical cable from my MacBook Pro to the DACMagic, but this depends on your budget and if you like any particular brands.2. You will need a Mini-Toslink adapter to make the optical go into the MBP's headphone port, I purchased mine [along with the optical cable] from www.futureshop.co.uk for around a fiver, but these can be obtained cheaper off eBay etc. If you buy a special cable with the adapter already fitted then you obviously wouldn't need to buy another one!3. I would test this but I'm at Uni at the mo, so can't help there.4. Spot on!Hope that helps..

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Thanks ÿ

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This forum is great!ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Blunny 89:

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What is the AE in your setup notes? Probably common knowledge but I don't know!ÿ

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EDIT: Aha! Airport Express ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

No problem, the forums are great ha ha, I've asked so much and learnt so much just from browsing.

Yeah - the Airport Express, if you use iTunes it may save you from buying that 6m optical cable !

 

[Anonymous]

Oh no I really don't know whether to use AE or a cable nowÿÿ(Yes I use iTunes)

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How does AE work? You plug USB into the DAC? Any more tips?ÿ

Thanks!ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Basically your MacBook streams what you are playing in your iTunes library wirelessly over your home network to the AE, which is then connected to the DAC using the optical cable and adapter talked about previously. It would save that huge cable! Then the DAC simply connects to the amp using RCA.

As for tips, rip your CDs in a high bit rate (can be chosen from iTunes preferences, clicky File --> Preferences in iTunes and then choose import settings and turn error correction on). This will ensure you get the best out of your DAC. If you are downloading, try and keep to the iTunes + stuff, it's a higher bit rate than the normal music.

Last thing, IF you have an iPod Touch or iPhone you can also use the application feature on them to control what you are listening to, wirelessly, around the home .

I hope that makes sense, its getting late ha.

 

[Anonymous]

Blunny89:Basically your MacBook streams what you are playing in your iTunes library wirelessly over your home network to the AE, which is then connected to the DAC using the optical cable and adapter talked about previously. It would save that huge cable! Then the DAC simply connects to the amp using RCA.As for tips, rip your CDs in a high bit rate (can be chosen from iTunes preferences, clicky File --> Preferences in iTunes and then choose import settings and turn error correction on). This will ensure you get the best out of your DAC. If you are downloading, try and keep to the iTunes + stuff, it's a higher bit rate than the normal music.Last thing, IF you have an iPod Touch or iPhone you can also use the application feature on them to control what you are listening to, wirelessly, around the home .I hope that makes sense, its getting late ha.

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Okay that's great thanks, only one more question !! ÿ

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Do I have to plug the AE into an ethernet connection, or just plug it into the mains and it's already wireless? (If you know what I mean)!

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Thanks for your timeÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Just before I hit the hay, you need a wireless network for the AE to run off of otherwise you connect it to a modem via ethernet, I'm pretty sure?!

Let me know your outcome ! Good night buddy

 

[John Duncan]

Yup it's wireless or wired - it support 'n' wireless, but has an ethernet port too so you could just plug it into the router.

The headphone socket doubles as an optical out, so you can feed the DACMagic from it.

 

[Anonymous]

I've just got home with my DACmagic, connected my laptop to it using toslink optical cable, and connected the dac to the amp with RCA,

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question is, how do i get the sound to go through the optical from my computer? I hace tried but have failed so far (Macbook Pro iTunes 8)

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Thanksÿ

 

[Anonymous]

If you've still had no luck, presuming you have the adapter for the toslink and it is in the headphone port everything should be okay... I'd make sure you have the right input selected on the DAC and the RCAs are in the correct input on the amp.

If not, I'd check your audio output settings on your MBP to make sure you haven't got the toslink disabled or something?

Good luck

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, I called apple and it's sorted now, was just a case of deleting some .plist files.

 

[Anonymous]

Pmaninit:Hi, I called apple and it's sorted now, was just a case of deleting some .plist files.

Strange, is it a bug? What did Apple say?

 

[idc]

Any chance that one, or any of you guys could post pictures and an explanation of how your set up works in the Your Systems part of the forum? I think that this is a fascinating discussion, but just like small children I find stuff easier with pictures.

 

[Anonymous]

My system is such a mess it would be better if I explained it...

 

[Anonymous]

Octopo:
Pmaninit:Hi, I called apple and it's sorted now, was just a case of deleting some .plist files.

Strange, is it a bug? What did Apple say?

.plist files are just cache files, so I deleted the old ones to reset the sound options in Sys Preferences, and a new one is automatically created.

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No bugs, very simple to do.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Simple yes, though I don't understand how deleting some very basic .xml files can affect the kernal?

 

[Anonymous]

What settings are you guys out putting your digital signal with? I'm just setting up my DAC Magic with a MacBook Pro but am waiting on the optical cable. Went with the Chord Optichord in the end as it did 3.5mm to toslink and i didn't want to mess about with an adapter.

In Audio MIDI Setup in the Utilities folder you can set different audio output frequencies. Am i right in thinking it should be 44100Hz because thats what my music is recorded at?