Optical output on rMBP

[UBS28]

Do rMBP's have an optical output? I tried an optical cable on the headphone output but that didn't work.

 

[snaky69]

Do rMBP's have an optical output? I tried an optical cable on the headphone output but that didn't work.

AFAIK they do. You need a special cable or adapter to use it.

http://www.apple.com/ca/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

 

[UBS28]

Never mind. It was my DAC + AMP that was causing the problem. It is working fine now.

 

[snaky69]

Never mind. It was my DAC + AMP that was causing the problem. It is working fine now.

What DAC are you using? Depending on the model you may get better sound quality out of a USB input.

 

[UBS28]

What DAC are you using? Depending on the model you may get better sound quality out of a USB input.

I'm using the Chord Hugo (with the Sennheiser HD800). I believe it will do 192khz @ 24bit using optical so it should be atleast as good as USB?

 

[snaky69]

I'm using the Chord Hugo (with the Sennheiser HD800). I believe it will do 192khz @ 24bit using optical so it should be atleast as good as USB?

Except the MBP is limited to 24/96 on the optical out, so even if your DAC will do it, the computer will not. You're still better off with asynchronous USB as the DAC will take care of the clocking instead of trying to restitute it from the MBP's optical signal.