Laptops with digital audio output?

OverDrive · 2 May 2019 at 12:41

Hi guys,

This is just a general/of interest question. Are laptops available with optical/RCA digital outputs for connection to an amp?

I currently have my desktop connected via optical, so the amps onboard DAC is used. Just wondering if this is also possible with laptops.

What is the alternative for hifi sound? A USB DAC?

Thank you.

hornetstinger · 2 May 2019 at 12:53

Yeah usb Dac. Check it's bit perfect passes 44khz as 44khz not 48khz and it passes DD/dts. I had one and it resamples bit not fussed was better sound than internal buzzing analogue.

jpaul · 2 May 2019 at 17:10

usb to spdif dongle, will give 2.0 optical, still in my amazon shopping basket if I get a new dac.

hornetstinger · 2 May 2019 at 17:44

jpaul said:
usb to spdif dongle, will give 2.0 optical, still in my amazon shopping basket if I get a new dac.

Yeah just be aware lose DD/dts and won't get bit perfect. Mine was £15 did the job and used DSP on my processor to expand stereo and get prologic

jpaul · 2 May 2019 at 18:40

thinking further ... I guess its an audio amp (ie 2.0 digital/optical), not av, otherwise he could probably just use hdmi.

TheDesX77 · 6 May 2019 at 21:51

MacBooks have combi 3.5mm analogue/TOSLINK ports that can output optical audio with the right cable. It seems to be a rare feature amongst Windows laptops though.