• Aes Audio Specs

AppleInsider contacted Apple about the matter, and was told that the feature was removed due to a lack of customers using the functionality. Additionally, we were told that 'plenty of USB-C zero-latency professional peripherals are available now, or coming very soon' featuring optical audio out connectivity. The 2016 MacBook Pro isn't the only Apple device to lose optical audio out connectors. The TOSlink connector on the Apple TV media playback device was removed between the third and of the device, and in its place was put a USB-C port allowing for unit service and screen capture features when connected to a computer.

The 2016 MacBook Pro family, is a major redesign to Apple's flagship notebook, and comes in screen sizes of 13 and 15 inches, with core models starting at $1,799 and shipping in two to three weeks. AppleInsider was at the event, and was able to with all the latest hardware. I've never used that option on my MacBooks, but it seems like a shame that they changed it-if they did. This support article (which may just need to be updated) certainly implies that nothing has changed: Play high sample rate digital audio on Mac computers The audio hardware in some MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, and iMac computers supports 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz digital audio when connected using optical output. These computers support up to 192 kHz sample rate for audio playback:. MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013) and later. MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) and later edited November 2016.

Absolutely would miss the digital out on an ATV. One of the reasons I haven't moved to an ATV4. I use the ATV3 for Airplay from my computer and feed the digital audio out to my AV receiver. Can't do that with an ATV4. HDMI supplies digital audio-out, and much better audio at that. Optical audio was great, but it's an archaic tech.

If your A/V receiver doesn't support HDMI then I think it's time to buy a new reciever. Although, I'm not buying a new receiver or Apple TV until the latter supports 2160p content and H.265 encoded videos. Edit: Pipped by boltsfan17. Edited November 2016. As someone has already pointed out, Apple’s explanation of why they left the headphone jack in the new MacBooks is total bullshit.

Professional audio power users use USB interfaces, NOT the analog 3.5mm jack. They used to use Firewire until Apple gave up on it. Hell, even I use a USB Phono Plus interface to get vinyl LPs into my iMac. It has a built-in RIAA phono pre-amp input, standard line in/out, optical in/out, and digital coax s/pdif in. And I’m just an amateur hobbyist. There is NO logical reason for the headphone jack to be on the new MacBooks if the iPhone 7 doesn’t.

Aes Audio Specs

As someone has already pointed out, Apple’s explanation of why they left the headphone jack in the new MacBooks is total bullshit. Professional audio power users use USB interfaces, NOT the analog 3.5mm jack. They used to use Firewire until Apple gave up on it. Hell, even I use a USB Phono Plus interface to get vinyl LPs into my iMac. It has a built-in RIAA phono pre-amp input, standard line in/out, optical in/out, and digital coax s/pdif in.

And I’m just an amateur hobbyist. There is NO logical reason for the headphone jack to be on the new MacBooks if the iPhone 7 doesn’t. A Pro Audio user might very well Monitor a performance using inexpensive headphones.

Lower fidelity is tolerable in this situation, where latency isn't. The traditional headphone port is an acceptable plug for this situation.

I'm not talking about the signal path of actual recording, which any Pro would insist on being a high-end external unit. An example might be a musician performing on an external keyboard which triggers a Mac-based software synthesizer. While a fancy set of headphones run through an outboard DAC would be great, a compact & inexpensive set of headphones would be sufficient for the musician to perform. Later in the production process someone would want to listen through something high-end. But going to that trouble during performance isn't that critical.

I've never used that option on my MacBooks, but it seems like a shame that they changed it-if they did. This support article (which may just need to be updated) certainly implies that nothing has changed: Play high sample rate digital audio on Mac computers The audio hardware in some MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, and iMac computers supports 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz digital audio when connected using optical output. These computers support up to 192 kHz sample rate for audio playback:. MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013) and later. MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) and later In a way, I doubt enough people used the optical feature on the MacBook/MacBook Pro because it's a pain in the ass and fragile to handle, which is why you only would want to use the Optical TosLink on a device that remains in a static position, like a Desktop. I have my TV box connected to my Desktop PC connected via S/PDIF, but it's the conventional Optical, not the TosLink.

I have an entire home theatre setup that I don't use because my apartment walls are thin and I'd rather not be able to hear my neighbors at all, so I use headphones with the desktop. Edited November 2016.