iMac Sound Quality

Better off with USB output for sound. First off, just because something is fiber does NOT mean it is the better choice. In this case if your goal is to isolate then yes you can use the optical connection. But...USB is a bi-directional connection, so timing errors are dealt with on the way in and on the way out. Not the case with your optical. Doesn't mean jitter is eliminated, don't know there is a connection that does that yet, but it is certainly better for sound quality.

If you want the best of both worlds, isolation and sound quality, you can simply use an Optical USB cable. One called Opticis is one that has been successfully used but people who want to isolate and use USB. Altough the PS on the Opticis has been called into question in the past, most people who have used it speak hightly of it.

I can say, from experience that I use a Kimber USB on my system from a MAC, and it is as quiet as a church mouse, and dynamic peaks come from BLACK backgrounds. So for me personally, isolation is not worth it.

ALAC is better with the MAC since you probably won't get the metadata without, particularly with WAV.

Toslink is better because it isolates, but thats really it's only advantage. So it seperates the noise from one device to the next.

MACs are particularly quiet machines anyway. My question is when did the Macbook start shipping with a Optical out? I thought only the Macbook PRO had that?

Kana813-

I never recommended going with a USB SPDIF converter, not sure one exists actually. But then again, you make things up as you go anyway, so not surprised...SPDIF sucks, much like most of the information you contribute to these threads.

And if you are using WAV with itunes, it just proves your a class A buffoon. I bet your database looks great. Maybe you smash your head on a volcanic rock, but honestly your nothing more than a nuisance. Good luck with your set up.