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Repair guides and disassembly information for the MacBook Pro 16'' released in November of 2019. Model A2141, EMC 3347.

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How to setup digital audio output on this newly released MacBook Pro?

Have this newly released 16” MacBook Pro laptop for a few weeks, love it so far. However, when try to use the optical audio cable connect to my 7.2 channel receiver(from earphone jack port), there is no sound at all (I can see there is “external headphone” shows up from “sound” icon). The audio cable works on my old MacBook Pro 15 model, so, no clue if Apple just disable this feature on 16” model, anyone has similar experience or know solutions?

thanks,

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The headphone output of your Mac already has a very capable DAC. But if you want to get a pure digital signal all the way to your amplifier/receiver for its (probably better) DAC to handle it onboard and skip any potential analog interference along the cable path, look for a USB to TOSLINK or SPIDIF adapter. The DAC function only needs to happen once, and it is best that happens as close to the output as possible.

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Sorry this series doesn’t offer a digital output.

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Sorry guy, Apple dropped the digital optical connection, which is why you won’t get a signal. If you need to gain it you’ll need to use a USB DAC unit.

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Good to know, thanks!

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@lovecd - The 2012 models forward dropped the dual ports for both input and output. Apple had a lot of problems with the dual audio jacks which is why they dropped it. It was a good idea and I know a lot of people miss the connection in the newer systems.

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Is there a way to get the digital audio sound on this model, such as through USB-c to digital audio port?

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Thanks, that helps!

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Theres a way to get digital from every macbook, they vary, but in the new ones its as simple as a DAC with USB, if your DAC doesn't have USB I would bet my right testicle you can get a device that can muster up a digital output from somewhere, as another way to digitally output you can use a USB-C to HDMI adaptor, then get your digital signal from that, as its all included in HDMI. sure there's probably other ways to if you get creative but you get the idea...

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Thanks, ended up getting an external sound card to do the job for me. Creative X4c sounds lovely :)

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So does that bring the digital out? MBP16 already has a built in DAC according to their support page and says you dont need an external DAC. I am curious how an external DAC Will help with the situation?

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because it sounds better!

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A Digital-Analog Converter (DAC) is needed in all computers!

The quality can be an issue (often linked to the price of the system).

Apple has made a large investment in both the DACs they use, but also the speakers and even the microphones! So the systems sound output is much better than years past.

But! Getting that great sound out to a deck is a bit tricky! All you have is the analog input/output which can pick up noise (hum) to over come that you need to keep the output in a digital form. This is where an external DAC is needed and via a USB-A or USB-C connection. Then what you connect to and the sampling rate desired can define the next connection be it a high gain balanced headset via an analog COAX connection, an optical connection via TOS, even a direct USB-C headset.

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