CPU signal out to Monitors: Thunderbolt or Optical

G

ggrantly

Veteran
Not to long ago, I purchased a new Mac which has both a thunderbolt port (similar to, but better-quicker than firewire) and an SPDIF option. Up to now, and with my older firewire equipped CPU, I've been using a Traveler Mk3 as an interface to my monitors. The Traveler is a very versatile piece of kit as it has nice preamps, midi, and can act as a controller via software as well. It has served me well but is a little clunky to use as a controller. I can continue to use it with a Thunderbolt connection via an adapter cable.

Via a monitor controller, I will now be able to connect the CPU direct to the monitors via optical cables with a little converter widget in the middle.

So the question is: For sound editing, or any other good reason; Should I stick with the Traveler via Thunderbolt, or go the optical route? I am pretty clueless about optical, so any general guidance would be appreciated.

TIA,
Grant
 
If you are talking about the optical digital audio interface in your (unknown model) Mac, then it is probably TOSLINK (the optical version of SPDIF)
The optical input and output connectors on the back of your Traveler Mk3, while physically and optically identical to TOSLINK, are actually ADAT which is very different and completely incompatible.

If you want to get a new monitor controller, then using a digital interface (whether copper SPDIF or optical TOSLINK) would be less vulnerable to ground loops, etc.

If you want to keep using your Traveler Mk3 as a monitor controller, I don't see any particular advantage to the optical (TOSLINK) option.
And you are unlikely to find a monitor controller with ADAT interface (as your Traveler Mk3 has).
 
Richard,

That is correct, the output from my Trashcan MacPro is Toslink. And the controller has a RCA coax S/PDIF input along with several analogue inputs. I would use the the appropriate cables and the widget linked below:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...F_830_Optical_to_Coaxial_Audio_Converter.html

If I continued to use the Traveler, I would input that via a Thunderbolt to Firewire cable and feed the monitor controller an analogue signal from the Traveler.

Other than the ground loop you mentioned, from an audio quality point of view, would there be any advantage to using one over the other? The optical route seems more direct and I could turn the Traveler off except for when needed as a pre-amp or midi support and port the output to the controller as well.

Yikes all this optical stuff is like alphabet soup.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
Other than the ground loop you mentioned, from an audio quality point of view, would there be any advantage to using one over the other?
Click to expand...
It is highly unlikely there will be any difference. You did not identify what monitor controller you are talking about, so we must assume it isn't some $30 piece of junk. Having discussions like this in the abstract is much more difficult than talking about specific gear.
 
Presonus controller v2. At least one step above junk.

Sorry Richard, I'm just an abstract kind of person. ��
 
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