Mobile Monitoring on Macbook built in headphone D/A vs. ?

Ghost Logic · 17th January 2007

Has anyone out there compared the built-in headphone D/A converters on the Macbook against some of the mobile converter options out there (i.e., M-Audio Transit, Apogee Mini-DAC, Mbox 2 Mini)--how much of a sacrifice in sound quality am I making by sticking to the built-in headphone D/A converters on the Macbook? I am only monitoring/writing on the road, not recording, so A/D converter quality is not an issue here. Does anyone know the tech specs for the built in Apple D/A converter on the headphone jack?

Psy-Pye · 17th December 2010

Hi there i know this post is 3 years old but just in case someone else out there like me and you is also interested i have tested my macbook (2009 model) against my brothers presonus fp10 firewire interface and personally i feel im able to carry on monitoring through my macbook as the interface doesnt make such a dramatic difference in my non treated room if however i was to be in a more acoustically balanced environment i'm sure the subtle differences would jump out and in terms of spec it depends on model but mine has built in 24bit 192khz ad/da conversion and can also carry 24bit 192khz through its optical sp/dif in/out. however like you i'm also interested to hear how it stands up against other converters!

17th January 2007	#1
Ghost Logic Gear addict Joined: Nov 2004 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 398 Thread Starter	Mobile Monitoring on Macbook built in headphone D/A vs. ? Has anyone out there compared the built-in headphone D/A converters on the Macbook against some of the mobile converter options out there (i.e., M-Audio Transit, Apogee Mini-DAC, Mbox 2 Mini)--how much of a sacrifice in sound quality am I making by sticking to the built-in headphone D/A converters on the Macbook? I am only monitoring/writing on the road, not recording, so A/D converter quality is not an issue here. Does anyone know the tech specs for the built in Apple D/A converter on the headphone jack?

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17th December 2010	#2
Psy-Pye Gear interested Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Peterborough UK Posts: 8	Hi there i know this post is 3 years old but just in case someone else out there like me and you is also interested i have tested my macbook (2009 model) against my brothers presonus fp10 firewire interface and personally i feel im able to carry on monitoring through my macbook as the interface doesnt make such a dramatic difference in my non treated room if however i was to be in a more acoustically balanced environment i'm sure the subtle differences would jump out and in terms of spec it depends on model but mine has built in 24bit 192khz ad/da conversion and can also carry 24bit 192khz through its optical sp/dif in/out. however like you i'm also interested to hear how it stands up against other converters!