SPDIF/Toslink Support on Newer Macs

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Level 1

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SPDIF/Toslink Support on Newer Macs

I have a Bose soundbar that supports audio passthrough via an audio-optical cable. I tried buying a headphone jack to Toslink cable, and even though the Mac recognizes the external headphones, I wasn't able to get audio to play from the actual soundbar. After doing some more digging, I saw that newer Macs had their SPDIF support removed and I needed to buy a USB C-type adapter instead. I was thinking I could buy a USB C -> headphone jack -> mini Toslink -> toslink/audio-optical jack. Would this work?

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on May 19, 2023 3:00 PM

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Answer 1

RohitP0_ Author

Level 1

5 points

May 20, 2023 8:26 AM in response to Johnb-one

I selected the USB-C Audio output in the sound settings but I still wasn't able to get any audio out.

I bought this adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/SABRENT-Type-C-Function-Adapter-CB-UC35/dp/B071HJ98Q6?content-id=amzn1.sym.1bcf206d-941a-4dd9-9560-bdaa3c824953&th=1

which is plugged with

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T8HWV62

The cable is attached to the soundbar too.

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Answer 2

RohitP0_ Author

Level 1

5 points

May 19, 2023 4:33 PM in response to Johnb-one

How would you set it to being digital out?

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Answer 3

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

May 19, 2023 4:55 PM in response to RohitP0_

You can either go to system preferences >sound>output… digital output or hold down the “option” key on your keyboard and click on the speaker icon at the top right-ish part of your screen… that’ll show you all available audio( sound) inputs+ outputs

john B

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Answer 4

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

May 20, 2023 1:43 PM in response to RohitP0_

Don’t think that adapter will work as it doesn’t support Toslink/MiniToslink, just analog audio only….

The reyin adapter I linked to should work or this one from Newegg; https://www.newegg.ca/p/16R-06E6-009X3… please note, you’ll get stereo sound but not surround sound, you’d have to use VLC for that

john B

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