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How to Connect JBL Studio Monitors MP

If you are looking to eliminate sources of noise from the signal path, I'd consider running optical out of the mac pro to an external DAC. Then you have a clean analog signal to take to the JBL monitors or any other external audio system.

There are tons of DAC options out there from bargain $100 units up to the $$$$ high end. I can give you some ideas if you are interested in going that route.
 
amik said:
If you are looking to eliminate sources of noise from the signal path, I'd consider running optical out of the mac pro to an external DAC. Then you have a clean analog signal to take to the JBL monitors or any other external audio system.

There are tons of DAC options out there from bargain $100 units up to the $$$$ high end. I can give you some ideas if you are interested in going that route.
Click to expand...

Great, sounds like the way forward. What model you go for in the $3-500 range ?

Thanks for the help
 
ThinkingMac said:
Great, sounds like the way forward. What model you go for in the $3-500 range ?

Thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Right at $299, the KECES DA-131 is the first model that comes to mind. They sell through ebay and have a good reputation.

You might be able to find a musical fidelity X-DACv3 used for under $500.

I personally just bought the Zero DAC, which is getting some attention over on head-fi. Apparently with a simple swap out of opamps, you can have a very nice DAC on your hands for less than $200. I have not received mine yet, so I can't give a first hand account. I plan on running it's preamp output to a Little Dot MKII tube headphone amp.

Head-fi and DIYaudio are good sources of first hand experiences with a bunch of different DACs.
 
rtrt said:
looks like those speakers have a dac built in

Digital Inputs : AES/EBU XLR, S/PDIF RCA

don't know anything about the AES/EBU XLR but the S/PDIF RCA sounds like it's the electrical interface rather than the fibre that you need for the Mac Pro.

So i guess you'd need a converter from electrical to fibre. sorry cant say which one or even whether they exist.

You might still be better with an external DAC - not my area
Click to expand...

Good catch, I missed that. Quick google search yielded this http://www.hdtvhookup.com/tooptococodi.html as a possible converter.

I'd look for some reviews of the JBL's and see what people are using. I'm betting most are using the balanced XLR connectors.
 
I have these exact same monitors for my setup. I am currently running S/PDIF from my PC(eventually will be a Mac Pro) and also have the option of using the optical out from my MBP. I have both sources going into a Firestone Audio Spitfire DAC with the SUPPLIER power supply for it then into a small tube pre amp from the same company and finally to the monitors. Sounds excellent.
 
Great monitors. I use them in a 5.1 surround setup. I would have loved to connect them digitally (AES/EBU), but could not find an affordable solution with six channels of audio; also, to use the subwoofer's bass management capabilities in a 5.1 setup, the five main channels need to enter the subwoofer as analog signals. So instead I went with the Echo AudioFire8, an excellent unit. Can be had for 400 to 500 Dollars.

Prior to that, I tried to connect the monitors with the M-Audio FireWire 410, but that didn't work too well. I assume the lack of balanced line-outs on the M-Audio interface was to blame.

Enjoy those great speakers!

- Martin
 
Thanks to everyone

Hi All

Thanks to everyone. I have pushed the button on the Mac Pro and the JBL's with PS Audio Digital Link III DAC. I only need 2 channels as the system is for editing News Video, and boy do they know how to charge for 5 or 7 channels !!!

Now hoping that Apple update the 30" ACD's in the weeks I have to wait for the Mac Pro and 8800GT Card. Now off to Iraq until March so hopefully Apple will make-my-day and stop me from going to Dell for 3 x 30" screens.
 
AviationFan said:
Great monitors. I use them in a 5.1 surround setup. I would have loved to connect them digitally (AES/EBU), but could not find an affordable solution with six channels of audio; also, to use the subwoofer's bass management capabilities in a 5.1 setup, the five main channels need to enter the subwoofer as analog signals. So instead I went with the Echo AudioFire8, an excellent unit. Can be had for 400 to 500 Dollars.

Prior to that, I tried to connect the monitors with the M-Audio FireWire 410, but that didn't work too well. I assume the lack of balanced line-outs on the M-Audio interface was to blame.

Enjoy those great speakers!

- Martin
Click to expand...

So I take it the subwoofer is as good as the monitors? Because I was thinking about getting it.
 
hakuryuu said:
So I take it the subwoofer is as good as the monitors? Because I was thinking about getting it.
Click to expand...
No complaints from me. I would say if you already have or are thinking about getting JB 4300 series speakers, adding the 4312 subwoofer is a very good choice. It plays very nicely with the other speakers (i.e. the "room mode control" feature) and serves as the bass management system for the five other guys. I am very happy with it.

- Martin
 
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