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MP 7,1 Why no Optical Out Audio Port?
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Why open so much new threads? You talked about the same topic before here:
forums.macrumors.com
Connecting Logitech Z906 Sound System
I am looking at a now Mac Pro, but can I connect my Logitech Z906 speaker system to it? My current 2012 Mac Pro connects via Optical port (which the new Mac Pro apparently does not have). Has anyone connected this system via some other means?
forums.macrumors.com
Sorry... That previous thread explained a workaround. Just was curious why they keep removing all these expansion ports (just like on the MacBooks) - their "philosophy". I am looking at a new Mac Pro this year, but it appears like in my case it is going to end up looking similar to the trash can Mac Pro with cables, docks, adapters and external TB drives all over the desk. I can't change it, but because of it the cost of the Mac Pro is just the beginning of what it is going to cost to get back to where I am with my 2012 Mac Pro.Why open so much new threads? You talked about the same topic before here:
Connecting Logitech Z906 Sound System
I am looking at a now Mac Pro, but can I connect my Logitech Z906 speaker system to it? My current 2012 Mac Pro connects via Optical port (which the new Mac Pro apparently does not have). Has anyone connected this system via some other means?
Do any of the PCI-e sound cards work acceptably with macOS?
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX 7.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX 7.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp
smile.amazon.com
Probably not widely used? With the popularity of USB interfaces and converters, it makes less sense to have this one-trick-pony connector and hardware support on the computer.
[automerge]1590182875[/automerge]
Similar to my previous reply, it's seems the glory days of a generic PCI audio interface are well over. Inescapable problems are the (electrically) noisy environment inside the computer, and limitations of audio jacks on a PCI card-edge (and a connector-to-breakout-box solution is not cost effective versus better solutions). There is such a wide range of USB audio interfaces with many choices for control, mic preamps, etc.Do any of the PCI-e sound cards work acceptably with macOS?
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX 7.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX 7.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Ampsmile.amazon.com
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Very few people use SPDIF interfaces anymore. If you're geninely serious about audio performance and need optical, you're going to be using a prosumer or beyond audio interface.
If you want to keep it basic, while it won't do 192Khz output the Startech ICUSBAUDIO2D is a handy looking USB audio adapter with up to 96khz SPDIF output for $30. If you want superior / absolutely dependable performance I'd recommend the naming disaster that is the RME ADI-2 FS R BE (about $2K).
And yes, as a domestic workstation it's not going to have the internal expandability of a proper Pro Windows workstation (but then, it's also cheaper than a proper Windows workstation due partly to the limited expansion in all aspects) - get used to dongle city, I'm afraid. It does however mean that on my Mac gear I tend to plan where I put everything nicely and look nice instead of my HP / Lenovo workstations where everything can be stuffed into the giant box under the table.
If you want to keep it basic, while it won't do 192Khz output the Startech ICUSBAUDIO2D is a handy looking USB audio adapter with up to 96khz SPDIF output for $30. If you want superior / absolutely dependable performance I'd recommend the naming disaster that is the RME ADI-2 FS R BE (about $2K).
And yes, as a domestic workstation it's not going to have the internal expandability of a proper Pro Windows workstation (but then, it's also cheaper than a proper Windows workstation due partly to the limited expansion in all aspects) - get used to dongle city, I'm afraid. It does however mean that on my Mac gear I tend to plan where I put everything nicely and look nice instead of my HP / Lenovo workstations where everything can be stuffed into the giant box under the table.
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Digital audio out hasn't been on any new Mac since 2015 if I recall. Given every newer model can output all the SPDIF compatible formats, plus all the high-res formats (DTS MA, Atmos, etc) in current use, either via HDMI, TB3 or a USB dongle, it's hardly that much of a problem for anyone who wants it. In my case, I'd be buying a TB3 dock anyway…
For the same reason the 7.1 doesn't have a floppy drive. 
Well a lot of Macs did the combo headphone toslink jack so I would argue that it wasnt really a single use port. The Mac Pro was just nice enough to use standard ports for in and out vs just having optical out via headphone.