USB-C to SPDIF Coaxial in Mac Mini 2018

A simple look at the product spec, that is a very specific cable designed

to only work with a very specific device. It is not a "generic" USB-C to

SPDIF adapter as nothing like that exists. You need a proper USB to SPDIF

converter. A simple cable doesn't do it.

Apple dumped SPDIF for a good reason: it’s obsolete and no longer necessary. All you need to do is replace your existing DAC with a USB DAC. Most receivers have it built in, just look for one that offers a USB input. Just plug your mini to any of these and it’ll work plug and play. Good luck.

You’re mistaken, unfortunately. Almost all USB DACs today meet or exceed that spec and will serve high-res music flawlessly, even better than SPDIF which has well-known clocking issues.

The so-called weak link has long been eliminated by integrating DACs within receivers. Which is why SPDIF is considered obsolete.

I agree Apple makes a good punching bag but punch them for the right things if you want them to take you seriously. Like not making an affordable monitor for the mini. Good luck.

Could someone be more specific about this? The USB DAC I tried had an optical output but only produced 2 channels. In addition, I have not been able to find a receiver that accepts USB (beyond the iPhone connection). So, is there a replacement for the lost SPDIF? (I know the HDMI will output multiple channels, but I would rather not commit to a looped monitor. I've had unreliable results from the HDMI connection.)

The iPhone connection doesn’t mean it works only on iPhones, it’s a gateway to the receiver’s DAC. However, not all receiver DACs are made equal. My car’s DAC for example won’t play output from my iPhone Apple Music, no clue why. It’ll probably work with memory cards. Headphone output however, works fine. So research before buying.

One thing you cannot do is to separate sound from HDMI on the Mac. If video is involved, use HDMI and post whatever issues here.

In all cases, SPDIF/optical is obsolete and fully replaced by USB/HDMI. You have no choice but to make one of them work (not both simultaneously). Last resort as always is the trusty headphone output which on the mini is of excellent quality. Good luck.

Thank you for responding. And yes, I understand that the USB on the receiver is not a universal input, but needs specific support for specific products. I've done a lot of searching for a receiver that accepts USB C (with appropriate DAC I assume). Nothing. The tech support at a major catalog store said that something like that just wasn't part of their market.

The HDMI is pretty fussy. It worked on two of the three monitors I tried. Of the two that worked, one would not "shake hands" with the Mac unless I booted up and powered up in a specific sequence.

Which leaves no choice, as you correctly put it, but to make USB work. Which is proving to be my brick wall.

I'm currently researching multichannel DACS and (which feels like a throwback to the 90's) sound cards. The descriptions are a bit vague and it gets expensive to order something just to see if it works for my purposes. I really miss the SPDIF to optical-in with one cable solution. I don't really mind that it is obsolete.

You don’t need a receiver with USB-C, USB-A 2.0 is more than sufficient for audio. If you’re missing optical, you could buy a used Mac 2012, but be aware it’s limited to 96 KHz + whatever new issues with OS upgrades. I doubt it’ll do anything beyond stereo.

As for HDMI, post whatever issues you have with details, likely resolvable unless your monitors are obsessively wide with gimmicks galore (avoid Samsung and LG).

Bottom line: forget SPDIF, it’s history. Everything else is possible, not to mention, a huge improvement. Good luck.