Requesting input from iMac users

I use the toslink out on my iMac to the DAC on a Music Hall Mambo integrated amp. It sounds just fine to me. I can't tell you if other options sound better because I haven't tried them, but if it sounds good to you, then why mess with it?

I believe that the Toslink plug and the headphone jacks share the same general area on the back of the iMac, but that they aren't the same. If you plug a 3.5mm headphone plug in, you will get analog output (through the iMac's DAC), whereas the toslink adapter should give digital output. I haven't tried plugging a regular headphone into my iMac. Can someone else verify this?

Your options include:

1) Sticking with the Toslink
2) Using a USB-based approach
3) Using an ethernet-based approach, such as a Squeezebox

I've used both the Squeezebox and Toslink in this particular system and they both sound the same to me.

Michael

Michael: I believe you are correct in saying that using headphone jacks give you analog output (into a headset) but when plugging a Toslink mini-jack into the same port you get digital output. That's how I had interpreted the iMac description of the headphone port in their manual but my friend had me wondering.

I'm glad to read that at least one other iMac user is happy with the Toslink connection. Thanks for the reply.

Pete

Your friend is sadly mistaken as your mac outputs digital. However, toslink is generally considered lower quality than coaxial digital. My understanding is that toslink cable quality matters a lot. I use (when I use toslink) a sysconcept cable. (http://www.sysconcept.ca/product_info.php?cPath=25_29&products_id=219 )

Some time back I had a pop pulse, it was relatively poor quality compared to my trends ud10.1. Its hard to say how the pop-pulse would compare to toslink, but I can tell you that toslink is a little bit more closed in sounding, with a somewhat more shallow soundstage compared to my toslink (set to 16bit output on the mac - it defaults to 24 bit, you need to open audio midi setup)

the sound you get from the mac is ok, nothing to write home about. when you attach a jitter device to the mac using the toslink to reduce or eliminate the jitter and at the same time converting to a coax cable, then attach an external dac to that, then you are getting there. forget about usb setups also. get an external dac that supports toslink and/or coax, those are still the best sounding.

Hi,

I use Firewire out to an M-Audio Audiophile Firewire DAC. It sounds fantastic, and I have no issue giving up any of the traditional CD players I have used. I haven't tried the headphone jack, but there is no doubt that it will be inferior to the Firewire setup.

The M-Audio part isn't current, but it's worth seeking out used. Probably around $100 now. Try it, and I think you will be very surprised. A nice option is that you can record vinyl to digital if you are so inclined.

Good luck.