Highest-Quality audio output?

Question

Highest-Quality audio output?

Hi Guys,

I was just wondering what the highest-quality audio output signal I can get from my mac is. Right now I'm going from the headphone jack to a high-quality receiver and speakers, and I have a high-end subwoofer that I'm adding. I imagine the audio output from my MacBook Pro (Mid 2009 15") headphone jack is sub-par but I don't know anything about this stuff.

Any knowledge that anyone can offer would be great, I'm more than happy to go buy whatever adapters I need, I just want to know how to get the best audiophile-quality result.

Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Dec 16, 2012 8:16 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 28, 2012 6:32 AM in response to acousticguitar7

are you looking for high quality output only, and not input? just checking, maybe you'd benefit from an audio interface..

but for simply a higher level of quality output (this is debated endlessly among audiophiles) search for a DAC. you can pay anything up to and over £1000's, so be prepared for some choices ahead.

are you unhappy with the headphone jack arrangement because it sounds poor?

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Answer 2

Dec 28, 2012 11:55 AM in response to cheekypaul

Yea I'm just looking for the highest quality output. I recently heard from somewhere that the headphone jack outputs full 7.1 optical audio (in addition to analog) so I think that's what I'll do at this point.

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Answer 3

Dec 29, 2012 2:28 AM in response to acousticguitar7

like this...?

http://www.whathifi.com/review/audioquest-dragonfly

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Answer 4

Dec 29, 2012 10:01 AM in response to cheekypaul

That's an option, but since the headphone jack already outputs optical audio, I don't need to foot the big bills to get a DAC. I'll just get a cable like this to go from the headphone jack to the back of my reciever.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/hosa-3.5mm-to-toslink-fiber-optic-cab le

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Answer 5

Dec 29, 2012 11:14 AM in response to acousticguitar7

sounds good.

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Answer 6

Dec 29, 2012 11:15 AM in response to acousticguitar7

your receiver has optical in, presumably...?

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Answer 7

Jan 2, 2013 11:52 PM in response to cheekypaul

Yup! As long as the headphone outputs optical (which I was told it does) then I'm great.

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