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[Manfred]

What is a good (audiophile) Thunderbolt 3 (macOS High Sierra 10.13.6) to SPDIF (RCA/XLR) Interface with no DAC?

or is it better to buy something like this:

https://nordost.com/leif/red-dawn/red-dawn-usb-cable.php

[F Ribeiro]

What is a good (audiophile) Thunderbolt 3 (macOS High Sierra 10.13.6) to SPDIF (RCA/XLR) Interface with no DAC?

or is it better to buy something like this:

https://nordost.com/leif/red-dawn/red-dawn-usb-cable.php

Why not your Mac own optical out?
This is an excellent choice because it's truly galvanic isolated.
That means, the electrical noise of your mac wont reach your dac.
If you are thinking about another way, make sure it is galvanic isolated and asynchronous.
Of course, it will be asynchronous between your Mac and the SPDIF converter, once SPDIF is not an asynchronous interface.

If USB is supported by your DAC, go asynchronous USB.

FR

[dfortney]

Whatever you choose make sure it has it's own dedicated power supply since even though t3 can supply plenty of power it is incredibly noisy.  I made the mistake of getting a Zoom TAC-2r that is bus powered and it is noisy.  Not sure how they even sell them to be honest.

[Manfred]

Thank's dfortney that helps!

Why not your Mac own optical out?

I have a new macBook pro.