Can a Mac M1 Mini deliver audio to a Yamaha audio receiver via USB?

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Level 2

191 points

Can a Mac M1 Mini deliver audio to a Yamaha audio receiver via USB?

I'm not using the headphone jack, but a USB port on the Mac -to a long USB-A extension cable and an added, powered external USB sound card-to a short 3.5mm stereo-to-L&R RCA jacks on the receiver. So, yes, I'm asking about audio-out from a Mac M1 Mini. I tried setting up bluetooth audio-out direct from the Mini to a pair of bluetooth speakers; Result: Stuttering and dropout. So I gave up on bluetooth audio direct from the Mini , and now I'm trying to send the audio to a nearby receiver as a USB signal, then translate that signal back into audio with a USB external sound card, which is then connected to the receiver's RCA jacks. Some success was achieved by jacking the external sound card ( Techrise) straight into the Mini, and then listening via headphones; Now I'm trying it from across the room, using a 20-ft. USB cable. Has anybody had any experience with this?

Mac mini

Posted on Nov 5, 2024 2:31 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

152,338 points

Nov 5, 2024 3:40 PM in response to Birck Cox

Does your Yamaha receiver support Apple's AirPlay? ... and a "long" USB cable will affect the audio quality without using a repeater.

Alternately if your receiver is not AirPlay-ready, you can pick up a used AirPort Express base station from eBay. You would then stream audio, via AirPlay from your mini to the Express. In turn the Express would connect directly to the receiver

A M1 Mac mini can support digital audio output from its USB ports, but will require either a DAC or a USB sound card to be used as the target for this audio signal.

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Answer 2

Birck Cox Author

Level 2

191 points

Nov 6, 2024 6:58 AM in response to Tesserax

Thank you for your quick reply. I looked into the Apple instructions and Yamaha's User Guide regarding AirPlay, WiFi, and wireless connection in general, and the reports were mixed, at best. Neither of my existing Yamaha receivers works with Wifi or Airplay, and the M1 Mini does not include an Airplay card. Meanwhile, I also forgot to mention that the long USB cable I have is "active", meaning, in this case, that it has a power-booster at the target end. And I have no objection to adding a DAC at the target end if my existing Techrise USB sound card doesn't deliver. Regarding the M1 Mini's ability to output an over-the-air signal, I'm not impressed. Even when stood on edge with the right equipment, its bluetooth output was totally unreliable. I think the M1 Mini is capable of receiving Wi-Fi and/or Airplay from, say, an iPhone, but that is definitely not what I need. At any rate, thank you for bringing up all these alternatives, particularly the AirPort Express base station. I appreciate the input.

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

152,338 points

Nov 6, 2024 8:32 AM in response to Birck Cox

Birck Cox wrote:

Neither of my existing Yamaha receivers works with Wifi or Airplay, and the M1 Mini does not include an Airplay card.

Sorry, if I made this more confusing. AirPlay is a protocol to allow streaming over either a wired or wireless connection. Older receivers typically did not have AirPlay support as AirPlay wasn't even available when they came out. I know because I had a Pioneer receiver (1970s era) which certainly did not. That's where using an AirPort Express worked for me in this case ... and why I mentioned it.

Your mini does have a built-in wireless AND definitely supports AirPlay ... so if you can find an Express, this could work for you as well.

Unfortunately, I don't have the other equipment that you have and can't really duplicate the issue you are having. Sorry!

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Answer 4

Nov 7, 2024 6:00 AM in response to Birck Cox

Instead of USB, if your receiver has a digital optical or coaxial port, you could just get a USB to audio optical or coaxial adapter and then just run the cable to the receivers. These cables do allow for a fairly long distance, especially optical. A lot less complication for a "wired" solution.

USB to Optical on Amazon

You don't mention your Yamaha model but I have an old RX-V467 that has both types.

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