Any recommendations for a USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt 3 hub for a 2019 Mac Pro? Have the XDR connected to a Vega so USB ports are running at 2.0 speeds.
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MP 7,1 Thunderport or USB 3.0 Hub for Mac Pro
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I am using the Caldigit TB3 hub with my Mac and it’s impressively stable and functional. It’s the only thing connected to my Mac Pro; everything else is connected to it. The SD card reader is a plus.
I have only had my MacPro a little over a week so too early to tell, but am also impressed with the CalDigit TS3+ so far. I was really surprised that even the audio optical TOSLINK port worked with my speaker system. My older 2012 MacPro had an optical audio port built-in that I lost when I upgraded to the new MacPro. I also have a FitBit dongle connected to one USB port that works better than on my older machine. I have been running my monitor calibrators using the front USB port on the front of the TS3 and no problems.
Am using the OWC Thunderbolt 3 dock, and it also runs fine (also in bootcamp as well). The only minor gripe I have that sometimes after booting, the audio setting is lost, i.e. resetted to the mac pro speaker instead of the headphone port I actually use all day. Curiously this never happens on bootcamp, so it might be more of a software issue. Other than that, the OWC seems to be similar, almost identical to the Caldigit one in terms of connectivity. I wouldn't wonder if the controllers are in fact the same.
The CalDigit is currently on sale for $210 at B&H for anyone interested.
The Caldigit TS3+ is the best, there's no comparison with anything else on the market. Don't touch OWC with a 10 foot pole, as reported above ... is here's always some issue with ALL of OWC's stuff losing connection or some "minor gripes" that users only say are minor ... but are usually if they are honest, just dealing with it and it's actually annoying as heck 
lol
Not a single issue with the Caldigit TS3+
lolNot a single issue with the Caldigit TS3+
Only problem I have experienced is my 7,1 Mac Pro loses it Optical Sound Out setting most of the time when restarting the computer - have to go back into the sound control panel and manually reselect it. Probably more of a Calalina issue than a Caldigit problem?
I agree. I lose connection to the port of the CalDigit whenever I restart my Mac. In which case I have to re-select it as it defaults to the speaker of my LG monitor connected via USB-C which I absolutely don't use versus a DAC/Amp connected to the CalDigit.
I wonder if this is a Catalina issue or if the CalDigit can't register itself fast enough like the LG monitor can. Such that it will default to the previously selected output port. If it can't find it as the OS starts up, then it will go to the next one it can find?
I wonder if this is a Catalina issue or if the CalDigit can't register itself fast enough like the LG monitor can. Such that it will default to the previously selected output port. If it can't find it as the OS starts up, then it will go to the next one it can find?
Does the same thing here. Maybe the OS just scans the USB first (or exclusively) to find an audio out and calls it a day and just ignores the TB3 ports for sound settings during restart? I also notice when I restart and it chooses one of my USB sound outlets (like on a monitor), that when I go to the Sound menubar icon, the Caldigit is not even listed as an option (like the OS never registered it). So I have to actually open the Sound Preferences for it to show up in the list?
Actually, this partly solves it - BUT you need to keep your CalDigit powered on FIRST (before starting your Mac) or LAST (when shutting down the Mac). Otherwise, it will default to the next available port since it can't find your default setting.
I tried it and shut down / restart a couple of times just now and it seems to default to the audio device connected to the CalDigit. However this doesn't work for me because I have to power on my CalDigit last (when booting up the Mac) and power off first (when shutting off the Mac) because it will make an annoying thumping noise on my studio monitor.
In other words if you power off your CalDigit while the Mac is active, then this will not work.
Here is the apparent solution:
I tried it and shut down / restart a couple of times just now and it seems to default to the audio device connected to the CalDigit. However this doesn't work for me because I have to power on my CalDigit last (when booting up the Mac) and power off first (when shutting off the Mac) because it will make an annoying thumping noise on my studio monitor.
In other words if you power off your CalDigit while the Mac is active, then this will not work.
Here is the apparent solution:
If your Mac switches to a different audio device
Try these solutions if your Mac switches back to a different audio device than the one you selected.
support.apple.com
Oh, we have different issues on the CalDigit then. You use the SPDIF interface of the CalDigit which you are right isn't even available from the drop down selection of the Speaker menu bar and only available in the Sound preferences.
I guess the above solution only works if it shows up in the menu bar.
Also you can't try the solution because all your monitors have a built-in speaker, so it's not like you can disconnect all the monitors of your Mac and make a selection. I was able to do it because when I disconnected the LG monitor, I still had the XDR display which has no speakers. This helps me still visually enable the selection and it stick to it with a shutdown or restart.
Maybe you can try via SideCar if you have an iPad whereby all your monitors are disconnected except the iPad?
I guess the above solution only works if it shows up in the menu bar.
Also you can't try the solution because all your monitors have a built-in speaker, so it's not like you can disconnect all the monitors of your Mac and make a selection. I was able to do it because when I disconnected the LG monitor, I still had the XDR display which has no speakers. This helps me still visually enable the selection and it stick to it with a shutdown or restart.
Maybe you can try via SideCar if you have an iPad whereby all your monitors are disconnected except the iPad?
CalDigit is plugged into the 4th TB4 port on the graphics card (the other 3 ports are for monitors) - so I have all (4) of the standard provided TB3 ports unused.