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More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 24 for Mac => Topic started by: Manfred on October 08, 2018, 04:12:50 pm

Title: Recommendation: Thunderbold 3 to SPDIF (RCA/XLR) Interface?
Post by: Manfred on October 08, 2018, 04:12:50 pm

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

Title: Re: Recommendation: Thunderbold 3 to SPDIF (RCA/XLR) Interface?
Post by: F Ribeiro on October 12, 2018, 09:00:55 am

Quote from: Manfred on October 08, 2018, 04:12:50 pm

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 (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

Title: Re: Recommendation: Thunderbold 3 to SPDIF (RCA/XLR) Interface?
Post by: dfortney on October 31, 2018, 07:59:38 pm

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.

Title: Re: Recommendation: Thunderbold 3 to SPDIF (RCA/XLR) Interface?
Post by: Manfred on November 01, 2018, 08:50:55 am

Thank's dfortney that helps!

Quote

Why not your Mac own optical out?

I have a new macBook pro.