Mac mini audio dead, will optical help?

[Aegelward]

I've been using a mac mini (2008 model) as a HTPC for a while now, but in the past few days, the audio via line out has been buzzing distinctly, just this morning the line out stopped outputting altogether and now i just get a crackly sound from the mac mini's internal speaker.

Will using the optical audio be a quick fix, or am i looking at the prospect of having to replace it?

Can't really afford a new mini at the moment, i might have to look at a media box.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I would swap the cable first to be honest. I have optical to that little jack, it works fine but buzzing is often a cable issue.

 

[Aegelward]

I would swap the cable first to be honest. I have optical to that little jack, it works fine but buzzing is often a cable issue.

Tried the same cable with a couple of other devices, no buzzing or distortion, at all.

 

[philipma1957]

BEHRINGER makes a usb dac that should work

here is a link

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=248-6506

better price

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GHBYZ0...e=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B002GHBYZ0

 

[Aegelward]

BEHRINGER makes a usb dac that should work

here is a link

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=248-6506

better price

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GHBYZ0...e=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B002GHBYZ0

i'll hold that on the back burner, i just wanted to know... would it be a waste to try an optical cable, since they share the same port

 

[philipma1957]

optical could work not impossible.

 

[mchalebk]

Certainly, you should try to use the optical input. They might use the same jack, but the signals are distinct: one is electrical, the other optical. I would think it very likely the optical jack would still work.

However, if the problem is earlier in the chain, it might affect both outputs. If that proves to be the case, a USB DAQ (as already mentioned) might be a good choice. My one concern would be the latency that USB can introduce into the equation. For music, it would be no big deal. However, for movies/videos, it might become an issue. I would probably look for either USB 2 or FireWire interfaces, which should have less latency.

 

[Aegelward]

Well, optical is dead.. as a last effort i ordered a cheap usb sound card.

Probably won't be perfect, but it'll last for a few months until i have the money for a new (or refurb) mini.

 

[bluezone]

Creative

Has anyone tried the Sound Blaster X-Fi Go! Pro?

Its a usb sound card, I have a Mac Mini with a busted internal component and something like this could work as a replacement. The internal part that is broken on my MM is the interconnect board and its turning out to be a big hassle getting a replacement to install myself.

W