Digital Output on Mac for Studio Monitors

[seraider]

I have a G5 Powermac and a G4 Powerbook, both of which have a Digital Output which according to the documentation is S/PDIF.

I would like to use this output to drive a set of studio monitors and sub.

First, would this digital output be compatible with the Behringer DEQ2496's digital input?

Second, would it be possible to come out of the Mac's digital output directly into the digital input on a Panasonic SA-XR70, and using the receiver in it's stereo biamp mode, with a subwoofer output? Could the Behringer be inserted in between the Mac and the SA-XR70?

Is there anyone who makes a good combination D/A conveter preamp at a reasonable price?

I am seeking the most simple and cost effective way to use the digital output to biamp a pair of studio monitors, hopefuly gain a better D/A converter than that found on the soundcard, have a convenient volume control, and clean amplification.

Any help with equipment suggestions, or experience with the first tow alternatives above to get me to my goal are appreciated.

Thanks

[shawn_a]

Okay, grab a handful of Toslink cables and have at it. I know for certain that the digital output on the G5 is optical. I'm certain the Behringer's inputs are Toslink as well as I'm looking at the manual as I type this. Run one optical cable from the G5 to the Behringer. I believe you will hook it up to digital input number 2. From the digital output number 2 on the Behringer run another toslink cable to the receiver. That should do the trick. And the G5 should also hook up to the receiver directly with no issue.

As for the Powerbook, I'm not positive as I don't know which model you have specifically. My hunch is that is has the combination mini-jack/optical output. If that is the case you just need to get one of the little adapters like the 180-968 adapter from PE. It doesn't get any easier than that.

Make sure you choose in the System Preferences, in the Sound control panel that your output is the optical port. Same thing applies for input if you want to bring sound into your Mac(s) digitally. Hope that helps.

shawn

[seraider]

> Okay, grab a handful of Toslink cables and
> have at it. I know for certain that the
> digital output on the G5 is optical. I'm
> certain the Behringer's inputs are Toslink
> as well as I'm looking at the manual as I
> type this. Run one optical cable from the G5
> to the Behringer. I believe you will hook it
> up to digital input number 2. From the
> digital output number 2 on the Behringer run
> another toslink cable to the receiver. That
> should do the trick. And the G5 should also
> hook up to the receiver directly with no
> issue.

> As for the Powerbook, I'm not positive as I
> don't know which model you have
> specifically. My hunch is that is has the
> combination mini-jack/optical output. If
> that is the case you just need to get one of
> the little adapters like the 180-968 adapter
> from PE. It doesn't get any easier than
> that.

> Make sure you choose in the System
> Preferences, in the Sound control panel that
> your output is the optical port. Same thing
> applies for input if you want to bring sound
> into your Mac(s) digitally. Hope that helps.

> shawn

Shawn:

Thanks for steering me in direction of the MAC's with optical inputs. I think I will be very happy with my choices. I have the 15" Powerbook (one of the last before the Intel chip ) and also a G5 Powermac. I will be getting either a Mini or an Imac for the kids. By the way, I got an Airport Express unit to run my printer wireless so we could share, and discovered that the Express also has an Optical out combination jack (like the Powerbook), so you can use it also as an audio server and go digital direct into your HT receiver. The integration of these products is incredible. Thanks again for your input on the Macs. I was able to make a much better choice based on the info you gave me.

[seraider]

> Okay, grab a handful of Toslink cables and
> have at it. I know for certain that the
> digital output on the G5 is optical. I'm
> certain the Behringer's inputs are Toslink
> as well as I'm looking at the manual as I
> type this. Run one optical cable from the G5
> to the Behringer. I believe you will hook it
> up to digital input number 2. From the
> digital output number 2 on the Behringer run
> another toslink cable to the receiver. That
> should do the trick. And the G5 should also
> hook up to the receiver directly with no
> issue.

> As for the Powerbook, I'm not positive as I
> don't know which model you have
> specifically. My hunch is that is has the
> combination mini-jack/optical output. If
> that is the case you just need to get one of
> the little adapters like the 180-968 adapter
> from PE. It doesn't get any easier than
> that.

> Make sure you choose in the System
> Preferences, in the Sound control panel that
> your output is the optical port. Same thing
> applies for input if you want to bring sound
> into your Mac(s) digitally. Hope that helps.

> shawn

Does the SA-XR70 have 6 discrete amps, or are the center channels derived? Because I have also wondered if you could come off of a DCX2496 into the analogue SACD inputs, using two of the six for subwoofer use, and the other four for biamping the mains.

Is there any kind of crossover on the Panasonic (active) when used in biamp mode, or will the mains have to be passively crossed over?

[shawn_a]

I'm not very sure at all what's under the hood on your Panasonic. Hopefully someone else out there will chime in. As for the Mac stuff, my pleasure. If you are happy with what you bought that's what is important to me. I didn't want you getting something that wouldn't work for you. And yes, the Airport Express is totally cool for whole house wireless. It's next up on my list of stuff to buy the next time I make it to the Apple store.

shawn