Play high sample rate audio on your Mac

The hardware digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) built into compatible Mac computers supports sample rates of up to 96 kHz.

Compatible Mac computers feature a high-quality, built-in hardware DAC that can convert up to 96 kHz digital audio to analogue audio. You can connect analogue devices such as headphones or speakers directly to the headphone jack on your Mac and monitor your audio at full resolution without needing an external DAC.

To set the sample rate for the headphone jack, use the Audio Midi Setup app, which is located in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Make sure you connect your device to the headphone jack. In the sidebar of Audio MIDI Setup, select External Headphones, then choose a sample rate from the Format pop-up menu. For best results, match the sample rate for the headphone jack with the sample rate of your source material.

Compatible Mac computers

These Mac computers have a built-in hardware digital-to-analogue converter:

  • iMac introduced in 2023

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2022 or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2021 or later

  • Mac mini introduced in 2023

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2023

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