2011 13'' MBP; TOSLINK output?

[Policar]

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone knows if the 13'' macbook pro (2011) has a TOSLINK output. I want to run something to a DAC and I heard that TOSLINK is better than USB with this DAC. Thanks.

 

[Intell]

Yes, it has a mini-TOSLINK out via the headphone jack.

 

[MagicBoy]

It does. All MacBook/Pros have had an optical out via the headphone port since day one.

 

[Policar]

Thanks. I'm very new to audio but I want to get a DAC for my macbook pro to improve audio quality when listening to mp3s with headphones.

I looked at the cambridge dacmagic, and it seems the usb connection isn't very good, but I've read TOSLINK can be bad, too. I read it's a really good DAC in general, though.

The only DAC I tried was a gamma2 (DIY) kit, which sounded great out of USB, so maybe I'll go for one of those. But in theory it should all be digital, right?

 

[yang88she]

Thanks. I'm very new to audio but I want to get a DAC for my macbook pro to improve audio quality when listening to mp3s with headphones.

I looked at the cambridge dacmagic, and it seems the usb connection isn't very good, but I've read TOSLINK can be bad, too. I read it's a really good DAC in general, though.

The only DAC I tried was a gamma2 (DIY) kit, which sounded great out of USB, so maybe I'll go for one of those. But in theory it should all be digital, right?

Have u checked out fiio? What kind of cans?

 

[Policar]

Have u checked out fiio? What kind of cans?

I'm considering the fiio e7 since it seems to have a similar wolfson chip, but I'm not sure I need all the other stuff (don't need a headphone amplifier) and I'd prefer an RCA out since my amp takes an RCA in.

I have stax sr303 headphones and an srm313 amp. They sound okay out of my macbook pro, but way better with a good source.

 

[Policar]

Looks like I'm going with the gamma2. If I can ever get my hands on one or figure out how to build it.