MacBook Pro output to DAC

I just got a MacBook Pro and would like to hook it up to my Dac. Can someone tell me which is the best way to connect it to the DAC.

jig09-22-2012 1:25pm

apachef1 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 164 posts 09-22-2012 at 10:59pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I use the optical output as explained above with better results than USB. I believe you also have a firewire connection? but you would need an interface to make the connection if your DAC does not have a firewire port. Firewire is best used as a direct connection say to a weiss dac. It is far superior than the other two options
audioengr Details Discussions Posts This discussion 3,282 posts 09-23-2012 at 05:11pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete A low-jitter USB converter will easily beat the Toslink output from the Mac. The best way to go is I2S, but your DAC must have this input. Next to that, S/PDIF coax will be great. Whatever cable you end-up with, it should be a high quality cable. Makes a big difference. Cables in the $100-300 range will not get you there. Firewire is no better than USB. It all depends on the implementation/design. Either can be great. Steve N. Empirical Audio
lwsledge Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1 posts 11-08-2020 at 12:13am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete So if I use a USB-C to HDMI cable from my MBPro into a DAC with the I2S connection, then I should be using the I2S signal into the DAC right or is it more complicated than that?