Retina MBP - No more digitial audio output? (FIXED: STILL HAS IT!)

I'm not really an A/V guy, but I imagine an adapter is possible via the HDMI port that's now on the machine.

 

Would hdmi work?

 

I am wondering about this also...

Using the hdmi out for the audio only is lame, what if I already use this port? ...having to get any adapter for digital audio output is lame for apple, how could they go backwards to analog audio output?

...can (or does) someone make a thunderbolt adapter? If so, then this is likely apple's lame excuse for leaving out toslink output.

 

...well if you are already using the HDMI to output video, you could also just send the audio over that to the same source? Unless you are talking about wanting to send the video via HDMI to a TV/receiver but then wanting the sound to go to some other source? Doesn't seem like something that would come up very often

 

I asked Apple online store support this and they said, without hesitation or question, that the headphone jack on the MBP Retina does have digital out integrated into it just like previous MBPs.

 

Yes, I'm talking about a separate source for my audio system....is this really a "niche"?

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I hope this is true, however, as stated already, this is not in the tech specs. I will check this out when I get to the apple store over the next week.

 

If it turns out that it doesn't have it built in:

$24.95 http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/sound-cards/audio-advantage-micro-ii.aspx

That would be a bit sad though. I never use it on mine but I think it's a really clever feature to have built in.

 

to this day i still have no idea what the Line in does, i've tried googling it but with no luck, it did not work with my Steelseries Headset microphone.


what does it do?

 

From iFixit:

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Pro-with-Retina-Display-Teardown/9462/1#.T9iI8rXY9I4

 

the new airport express will have an digital / analog audio output and as we know mountain lion will have the new integration of airplay so I hope that this can solve / simplify your digital audio needs.

Proposed setup

Pros:
No more cables.
Possibly better integration and internal audio control via OSX

Cons:
Not so portable only within wifi range
$100 cost for new airport expresss.
Possibly have to adjust your setup over apples f up

 

That *really* sucks. I use my spdif out daily.

 

If there actually existed a Thunderbolt docking station that you could purchase right now, it theoretically would also have SPDIF-out capability. The recently announced Sunix uses it as a selling point:

http://www.sunix.com.tw/cc/en/e-DM/2012_COMPUTEX-banner/sunix_thunderbolt_dock .html

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How can you tell in-store unless you have a portable SPDIF device? Maybe you do?

 

I agree. It seems crazy to take it out. What audio equipment are you connecting to? I would consider putting in a DAC with USB input, such as the ARCAM rDAC, or the AudioLab one if you're feeling more flush, but it does have a headphone amp built in, optical toslink output and coaxial output.

Unfortunately that means you now have to spend even more money.

 

I just bought a Bifrost with no USB input board because "Macs always come with SPDIF out!"

 

I can understand the frustration. I don't understand the decision to take it out either, but I don't think it's functionality that is used by a large percentage of buyers and it probably saves them like $5 for every MBP. It does suck though because thanks to the SPDIF out, the MBP has been the choice of audiophiles.

The best thing to do would actually be to just buy a 2011 Mini refurb. it will cost about the same as these Thunderbolt docks or external DACs. Which is frightening and funny at the same time.

 

It's the same reason as of why they've removed the ethernet port: because only 1% of their customer base would need it.

For quite some years already, Apple has been moving from a "professional niche" focus towards a "mass market" focus, and let's face it: the average Joe won't need it, so out it goes.

Apple is now a average-consumer-centered brand guys...

 

Good news, but weird.

 

Good news, thanks! I was on the fence about the rMBP because of this. Apple online support was right after all.

 

Is it an output only? I don't see anything about audio input besides the iPhone earbud mic