Audiophiles

iForgot

Haven't seen an audio section, so ill chance this question here.
The new Apple TV is out soon, which i plan to purchase. But word is they're dropping the optical output. I use the optical to send the sound to my Audiolab MDAC.
So is there any way around this other than a rubbishy hdmi adaptor that will probably sacrifice sound quality?

kwikbreaks

Perhaps this is why they are dropping optical...

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/hdmi-vs-optical-which-digital-audio-connection-to-use/

The biggest difference is that HDMI can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats found on Blu-ray: Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. These formats can't get transmitted across optical.

iForgot

Thanks Kwiks, i understand the hdmi arc etc, but i prefer music to be sent through my dac by a cable rather than airplay.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Because it [DAC] is an unnecessary layer these days, I'm 7.1 on AV and have 8 separate chips all via HDMi, most DAC's however have only a L&R [scrimp quality - cheepo] chip and those 2 can be adequately supplied via HDMi. If your reluctance is because you use it as a digital audio hub then I understand your problem if however you feel the DAC improves the sound I can't see how, a DAC converts without change and can not [change] improve sound quality.

Apple have the CS4206, a derivative of the 4207 in there new RiMAC. Best of luck.

RumRat

You need something like THIS or any of THESE if you want to convert the HDMI output for your optical connection.

googler

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Because it [DAC] is an unnecessary layer these days, I'm 7.1 on AV and have 8 separate chips all via HDMi, most DAC's however have only a L&R [scrimp quality - cheepo] chip and those 2 can be adequately supplied via HDMi. If your reluctance is because you use it as a digital audio hub then I understand your problem if however you feel the DAC improves the sound I can't see how, a DAC converts without change and can not [change] improve sound quality.

You can't listen to digital audio without a DA convertor, so I'd say it's pretty necessary.

The OP is using a 2-channel DAC, so I'm not sure what your point about multi-channel is......

Richie-from-the-Boro

googler wrote: »

You can't listen to digital audio without a DA convertor, so I'd say it's pretty necessary.

The OP is using a 2-channel DAC, so I'm not sure what your point about multi-channel is......

HiYa googler,

That's correct all audio is 2 channel analogue. Data conversion requires an on chip or as RumRat says a different cable & chip in this case to do the conversion. The O/P's Audiolab MDAC does coax & SPdif but has no HDMi but his new preferred TV has only HDMi and no coax or SPdif [Toslink Optical] out. So a £7 widely available powered version of what RumRat suggested will do. The O/P has another option, if his rigorous determination as an unreconstructed audiophile is to accept no less, then don't buy a tele that's incompatible with his excellent Audiolab kit.

Try audiophile forums O/P for a workaround.