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Barrett63

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 2, 2007
14
0
Hello. Is there another way to get audio out of a Mac Pro to RCA inputs on a stereo than the headphone-out on the back? I have my Mac set up like this in my office. I feel because it is a headphone jack, not a "line" output, it is creating distortion - more noticeable on some music than others. Changing the iTunes volume, eq settings and the computers volume doesn't seem to help much. I know when I play music from my iPod with it connected to a dock, using the doc's stereo output, not the headphone out, the sound is crisp and clear. I would like to be able to do the same with my computer. Is there a solution for this? Thanks in advance for any help.
 
That's interesting, thanks. So when hooked up via USB, does that device show up in the output field of the sound preferences window?
 
yes. let me sign on to my mac pro I will post a screen shot. here is a photo and a screen shot. I use a 2.1 sound system. in the photo is the dac.

the black knob on left is the satellite volume control.

the dac has a master volume control both left right and sub.

the sub crossover is on the right it has a sub volume control
 

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So you then set your computer volume up all the way? Does the DAC have a volume control as well? Or only for headphone volume?
Thanks for taking the time, this is super helpful, I'll be ordering one ASAP. I knew there had to be a better way to get audio to my stereo.
-b
 
I use optical audio out to my receiver and then to get Zone 2 and 3 to work I use an Airport Express to get an analog signal.

This solution sounds much simpler.
 
You should really shop around for this. There are WAY better converters (DAC) out there for the money. Thousands of them. I use a ULN-2 from Metric Halo. Try to avoid USB if you can. It is a fairly noisy connection generally speaking.
 
I use optical audio out to my receiver and then to get Zone 2 and 3 to work I use an Airport Express to get an analog signal.

This solution sounds much simpler.

Yes but you are using the Mac's built in sound card. Which is terrible.
 
You may want to get something outside the case. Something Firewire. The DAC will most likely outlive your computer and you can use it with any Mac you get (Macbook, iMac, etc) The Apogee Duet is supposed to have amazing DA and it is around 500.00. On the lower end a Presonus Firebox is pretty good for DA but not very good for AD and around 300.00 or less. Benchmark DAC's are also well received if you never need to record anything (AD) but having the ability to digitize vinyl is always a plus.
 
I have looked at adding a PCI audio card but it has been hard to get a solid answer on what is supported on my Mac Pro.

That's mostly because there isn't a market for add-in sound cards on the Mac outside of professional products that would be grossly overkill for people who don't do recording.

For that reason, a DAC is really the best way to go on a Mac.
 
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