analog speakers and my Mac Pro

Question

Level 1

9 points

analog speakers and my Mac Pro

Mac Pro and analog speakers that have those copper wire cables.

I've got an analog stereo receiver with analog speakers. I wanted to plug my speakers 'somehow' into my Mac Pro. Can anybody recommend some solutions ?

thanks.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.4), 2 GB Memory 1.83 Intel Duo

Posted on May 23, 2009 3:54 PM

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Answer 1

BOBBOBKK

Level 1

65 points

May 23, 2009 4:57 PM in response to sgribber

I use a product called hi-fi link that plugs into your USB. Pretty good sound. I got it when I had the G5. There may be better products or solutions for the Mac Pro, but I'm not aware of them.

http://www.xitel.com/USA/prod_hflpc.htm

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Answer 2

direwolf8

Level 4

1,286 points

May 26, 2009 10:47 AM in response to sgribber

Plug the line output of your mac pro into the line input of your stereo amp, and select that output in the Sound Preferences Panel. That's all you need to do.

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Answer 3

sgribber Author

Level 1

9 points

May 26, 2009 8:25 PM in response to direwolf8

I'm not clear on which input to use on the back of my receiver.

Here's a link to the back of my receiver...
http://loudbyte.com/denon/denon.jpg

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Answer 4

H00NER

Level 1

35 points

May 26, 2009 9:40 PM in response to sgribber

You are going to need a cable like this one.

http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Stereo-Male-RCA-Cable/dp/B0002KR1OG/ref=sr11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1243399124&sr=8-1

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Answer 5

sgribber Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2009 7:33 AM in response to H00NER

It works but the sound output is really, really low despite the volume being set high. Quality of sound is weak and muffled. Even my cheap desktop speakers sound great in comparison.

Maybe I should get a good set of computer speakers. Anybody have a favorite they can recommend ?

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Answer 6

BOBBOBKK

Level 1

65 points

May 27, 2009 10:01 AM in response to sgribber

Check some reviews on the hi-fi link. I know very little about computers, but sound I'm okay. If the other solutions aren't working, this is actually pretty good. I've got an $8000 system with B&W speakers, and it's not easy to tell the difference between my computer with hi-fi link and the CD player. You don't need to store your music in lossless format either: AAC is fine.

The speakers are the critical component in your sound. If you already have good speakers, you'll notice a big drop-off going to computer speakers unless you spend a lot of money. If your cheap desktop speakers are the best you have, then computer speakers might be able to compete.

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Answer 7

sgribber Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2009 11:38 AM in response to BOBBOBKK

I checked it out. Looks like it only works for PC's.

My speakers are good quality so I'd rather find a way to connect the speaker/receiver to my mac.

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Answer 8

BOBBOBKK

Level 1

65 points

May 27, 2009 1:51 PM in response to sgribber

I'm listening to hi-fi link on my Mac Pro as I type.

http://www.amazon.com/Xitel-HFL-A1-X1-XITEL-HiFi-Link-Mac/dp/B00006I601

It plugs into your USB in the computer, then has a splitter that goes to your RCA jacks for inputs to your Denon receiver. There may be other solutions, but if you have good speakers, definitely try to get the signal to your receiver to drive the speakers. Good luck.

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