Line-level audio output from the 3.5mm headphone socket of a Mac Mini M2 Pro

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Level 1

8 points

Line-level audio output from the 3.5mm headphone socket of a Mac Mini M2 Pro

Has anyone used their 3.5mm headphone output socket to send audio to the line-level input of an amplifier? I tried it today and, with the amplifier volume cranked to maximum, I could barely hear the audio from my Apple Mini M2 Pro. I found the following Apple description of the adaptive impedance of the 3.5mm jack socket:

The 3.5 mm headphone jack on compatible Mac computers features DC load detection and adaptive voltage output. Your Mac can detect the impedance of the connected device and will adapt its output for low- and high-impedance headphones, as well as for line-level audio devices.

Any advice would be much appreciated !

Mac mini, macOS 13.2

Posted on Nov 2, 2023 6:43 AM

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Answer 1

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Loznige Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2023 4:29 AM in response to Johnb-one

Hi John,

Thank you so much for your advice - that’s exactly what I needed. I increased the External Headphones Primary output level in the Audio MIDI Setup application. My hifi amp isn’t equipped with any digital inputs (USB ports or wireless capability) so I wanted an old-school hardwired solution using an RCA cable. It was considerably cheaper than going down the DAC route.

Cheers,

Nigel.

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Answer 2

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Nov 2, 2023 12:30 PM in response to Loznige

Hi, Loznige, you’d have to play around with Audio MIDI setup ( should be in your “Utilities”’folder) to set level, master volume,frequency, bit output, etc… also try going to system preferences>> sound/audio>> alerts/effect, then play alert/effect through…… so, headphones i guess, you could also use a usb-A or USB-C equipped external preamp/soundcard+ DAC .,..then plug a line level 3.55 mm cable into the output of said external sound card… creative makes one that should work with Mac… Sound Blaster X3…pricey though, at $280,.. maybe this one ? https://www.amazon.com/S-M-S-L-MQA-CD-Decoder-AK4493S-768kHz/dp/B0C1Y7C9HH/ref=sr_1_24?crid=16WUFJWRR94JV&keywords=USB+dac&qid=1698953086&refinements=p_36%3A1253505011&rnid=386442011&s=electronics&sprefix=usb+dac%2Caps%2C129&sr=1-24

Maybe this ?? https://www.amazon.com/Rockville-RDAC5S-Digital-Converter-Headphone/dp/B0BDRC8G2Z/ref=sr_1_30?crid=16WUFJWRR94JV&keywords=USB%2Bdac&qid=1698953086&refinements=p_36%3A1253505011&rnid=386442011&s=electronics&sprefix=usb%2Bdac%2Caps%2C129&sr=1-30&th=1

john B

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Answer 3

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Nov 7, 2023 6:41 AM in response to Loznige

glad it all worked out for you OK and that I was able to help you out...I'd have suggested, alternatively, to get a USB external DAC//pre-amplifier/headphone amp with RCA outputs... BUT, you already got it sorted out, so 3 cheers for you....

John B

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Line-level audio output from the 3.5mm headphone socket of a Mac Mini M2 Pro

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