USB to 3.5mm adapter

[bdaetgibson]

Hi Guys,

I have a cMBP 13" and a Thunderbolt Display. I want to connect my Sennheiser HD518 headphones to the Mac, but not through the actual jack on the mac itself. Is it as simple as using a USB tp 3.5mm adapter? or does it need to have is own little sound card as well?

When the headphones are connected, will they act as a separate sound output (Internal Speakers vs USB Thunderbolt Speakers)

Can anyone suggest what I should buy?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

An adapter should do the trick. It will show up as a 3rd audio output device that you can select in System Preferences. Here is one example:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-3-5mm-Jack-Audio-Adapter/dp/B0058P0I2C

 

[Fishrrman]

"I have a cMBP 13" and a Thunderbolt Display. I want to connect my Sennheiser HD518 headphones to the Mac, but not through the actual jack on the mac itself. Is it as simple as using a USB tp 3.5mm adapter? or does it need to have is own little sound card as well?"

You can't connect headphones to the USB port without some kind of DAC (digital-to-analog convertor) between them.

USB is digital.
Headphones are analog.

Search the web using "dac". Various devices are available on amazon.com. They start at reasonable prices and get VERY expensive...

 

[Nemic]

There are two options that instantly spring to mind.

Just launched by Meridian Audio is this:

http://www.meridian-audio.com/en/collections/on-the-move

Meridian are one of the finest hi-fi companies in the world, and I am sure that this new product will live up to their usual high quality.

Another one is this:

http://www.audioquest.com/usb_digital_analog_converter/dragonfly-dac

Both of these are very high quality items. The Meridian has only just launched, so I don't know if it's been reviewed yet. The Dragonfly has been around for 6-12 months (I think), and has received very good reviews.

I think the Meridian will be slightly more expensive, but I would expect it to be the superior product - that's just my opinion.

I would imagine that the USB DAC would override the other speakers, but if not it can probably be made to. You could email either of the companies to find out.

Meridian press images show their item plugged into a MacBook.

There may be other products on the market, but these two should be superlative - again just my opinion.

Good luck

 

[scott.n]

Cheapest option would be a USB sound card with 3.5 mm output. Something like: http://amzn.com/B001MSS6CS