• Audio

  Genelec 6010A and optical Airport Express

  Posted by Duncan Smith on June 8, 2009 at 1:42 pm

  I currently stream iTunes output across a Mac wireless network (AirPort Express) which allows me to take an optical output into a JVC amp.

  I want to replace the (huge) JVC with the (tiny) Genelec 6010A’s but note that there is no optical input on the monitors. Help!

  I really like the optical/wireless setup, can I still use this even though the Genelecs only have RCA input support?

  Thanks

  Duncan

  Duncan Smith replied 17 years, 3 months ago 3 Members · 5 Replies
• 5 Replies

• 

  Ty Ford

  June 8, 2009 at 3:50 pm

  Hello Duncan and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

  By “RCA” do you mean S/PDIF coaxial digital audio?

  If so, there are coxial to optical converters.

  here’s one: https://tinyurl.com/m5woub

  Regards,

  Ty Ford

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• 

  Duncan Smith

  June 8, 2009 at 7:17 pm

  Ty,

  Thanks for the response and link. Suddenly starting to feel out of my depth!!

  The Genelec specs state “The 6010A has an unbalanced RCA
  10 kOhm audio input connector” … “can be connected to a line level audio source with either 3.5 mm Jack or RCA type audio connectors”.

  The Airport Express is a TOSLINK (presumably S/PDIF at protocol level). Guess I need a S/PDIF TOSLINK to RCA (Phono plug) converter which looks like the one you suggested.

  Any thoughts?

  Duncan
• 

  Bill Davis

  June 8, 2009 at 8:54 pm

  Duncan,

  The toslink connection is OPTICAL (coded light). The speakers need an electro/mechanical input. (voltage on a physical wire)

  Something has to translate the light into wire friendly voltage.

  Your amplifier used to do that.

  Removing the amp from the chain, you’re gonna need something that takes an optical input and then outputs a traditional speaker signal.

  But check your airport. I *think* apple builds those with hybrid optical electro/mechanical jacks and it may be that a standard plug into the jack gets you a standard audio feed.

  If so, your only issue is amplifying the sound. If those particular Genelecs are active (have built in amplifiers), you’re done. If not, you still need some form of amplification.

  Good luck.
• 

  Ty Ford

  June 8, 2009 at 9:23 pm

  Duncan,

  Hmm, well if that’s what it says that’s not digital it’s unbalanced audio at (presumably) line level of -10.

  Like what comes out the back of most consumer CD players.

  So that means you don’t need a TOSLINK SPDIF anything.

  Regards,

  Ty Ford

  Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
  Watch Ty play guitar
• 

  Duncan Smith

  June 8, 2009 at 9:34 pm

  OK looks like this might be sorted!!

  On checking, the Airport Express does have a 3.5-mm audio minijack for analog or optical digital sound. I had been using TOSLINK and did not realise that it was analog too. SO .. as the Genelecs ARE powered, all I need is a 3.5mm minijack to RCA phono and I’m off and running.

  Not sure what ‘comes out of’ the Airport Express, but here’s hoping that it’s line level.

  Thanks all.

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