Optical Audio-analog converter for the iMac's optical digital audio output port?

[quagmire]

My friend is looking into buying the new 27" iMac Core i7 to replace his PC desktop. The only thing holding him back is that he has an analog surround sound system he uses for his speakers. I am having a hard time myself finding a converter that can make his speakers work in the iMac's optical digital output port. Any products out there that will do that?

 

[flopticalcube]

Cheapest route would probably be a Zalman of X-fi USB dac starting at $25 (used, $50 new) http://cgi.ebay.com/ZALMAN-5-1Ch-Ex...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4cea4c58fd. A second hand or refurbished AVR would work too. They can start at $150.

 

[avihappy]

My friend is looking into buying the new 27" iMac Core i7 to replace his PC desktop. The only thing holding him back is that he has an analog surround sound system he uses for his speakers. I am having a hard time myself finding a converter that can make his speakers work in the iMac's optical digital output port. Any products out there that will do that?

Here is a Firewire analog surround box from griffin: http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-4019-FIRESS-FireWave-Surround-Sound/dp/B000A09IUS

I would use this because it is specifically targeted at Macs (so you know it'll work), it's cheaper, and because it's firewire so it won't use up any USB ports (it also passes the firewire through, so you can still use another Firewire device if you want.)

 

[ViViDboarder]

If you can find a used Creative Extigy you can use that as a reciever.

I gave my old one to my little brother so he could use his analog speakers with his PS3 and Xbox360.

 

[300D]

I am having a hard time myself finding a converter that can make his speakers work in the iMac's optical digital output port.

You're going to have a REALLY hard time since the iMac doesn't have an optical port.

The only way to get surround sound out of the iMac, for applications that support surround sound, is through USB or FireWire.

 

[MacDuff2000]

You're going to have a REALLY hard time since the iMac doesn't have an optical port.

The only way to get surround sound out of the iMac, for applications that support surround sound, is through USB or FireWire.

Are you sure? My Mac Mini has optical in/out, if you plug in some of these adapters:

Linky

I get 5.1 digital sound from my Mac Mini.

I assumed the iMacs and MacBook Pros had the same feature.

 

[Cave Man]

You're going to have a REALLY hard time since the iMac doesn't have an optical port.

The iMacs have dual-purpose optical/analog audio ports. A mini-Toslink to Toslink cable is all that's needed. They've had optical audio since the switch to Intel processors.

The only way to get surround sound out of the iMac, for applications that support surround sound, is through USB or FireWire.

You can get digital audio (5.1 DD or DTS) through optical and analog surround (Dolby Pro Logic II 5-channel) by analog.

 

[fa8362]

You're going to have a REALLY hard time since the iMac doesn't have an optical port.

The only way to get surround sound out of the iMac, for applications that support surround sound, is through USB or FireWire.

That is not correct. The iMac has an optical port. It's a combo analog/optical port, just like on the Mini, MacBook, etc.

http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html

 

[300D]

I kind of figured that out after the second post, thanks for pointlessly repeating though.

 

[quagmire]

Thanks for the help guys. He ordered the 27" iMac with the Core i5. He at the last minute could not justify the i7. Either way, he got a sick machine.

Now to get my parents to replace their aging 20" iMac G5 2 Ghz with the i7 model.

 

[RexTraverse]

Here is a Firewire analog surround box from griffin: http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-4019-FIRESS-FireWave-Surround-Sound/dp/B000A09IUS

I would use this because it is specifically targeted at Macs (so you know it'll work), it's cheaper, and because it's firewire so it won't use up any USB ports (it also passes the firewire through, so you can still use another Firewire device if you want.)

I've used the Firewave for almost 3 years and I would discourage using this if at all possible. Griffin, as usual, has not released any updates to the software in years. There are problems that can occur, depending on application.

It does work decently, and if there is no other alternative, sure... but I would avoid Firewave if you can.

 

[robmay]

using analog audio and optical at the same time?

Has anyone figured a way to use the optical and analog audio at the same time?
I am going to use a toslink splitter, then use a toslink to analog audio converter. it will cost about $80, I would love to find a cheaper alternative.

In case you are wondering why I would want to do this. My Amplifier Receiver has a zone2 and zone2 will not play digital. so I want to feed digital to my 5.1 system and analog to my zone 2.

http://www.amazon.com/Optical-Toslink-Splitter-Adapter-Out/dp/B0010ZDQE6

http://www.amazon.com/Gefen-GTV-AAU...5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1290201926&sr=1-5

 

[QuarterSwede]

Has anyone figured a way to use the optical and analog audio at the same time?
I am going to use a toslink splitter, then use a toslink to analog audio converter. it will cost about $80, I would love to find a cheaper alternative.

In case you are wondering why I would want to do this. My Amplifier Receiver has a zone2 and zone2 will not play digital. so I want to feed digital to my 5.1 system and analog to my zone 2.

http://www.amazon.com/Optical-Toslink-Splitter-Adapter-Out/dp/B0010ZDQE6

http://www.amazon.com/Gefen-GTV-AAU...5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1290201926&sr=1-5

I don't think it's possible and honestly for that price you may as well buy an Airport Express for digital out and use your computer for analog.