Mac external Digital IO connector for external preamp

[ramonetl]

Hey All, got a question. I am looking for something similar to the function of the digital IO cards of the past. I have a few external preamps etc that I currently run into my QU32 and then to my Macbook. But I dont have the ability to bypass the internal preamps to accept just the signal from my pre to send via usb to my session. That got me to thinking of a inexpensive external unit without any preamps that would take my IO from the digital out on my pre directly to my mac. The unit doesnt have usb. I used to have a pair of echo firewire 12s that were great for this but since I went digital I sold them and now really only need a few inputs that I would like to be able to install into my protoos session settings. Any thoughts? Something usb3\c\tb is ideal since I am looking for something that will be not obsolete with my next purchase. I am thinking about getting creative with my group returns on the console but if I could add an interface to keep it always setup that would be nice too. Its not a huge deal to me but it would be nice to be able to run my digital IO directly to my macbook and add as a pt12 input. Most things I see are way over kill and usually have pres etc thereby also making it expensive. Thanks. Peter

[JFreak]

Which Macbook? Older models had a combo audio input connector, which accepted optical 3.5mm digital input directly

[ramonetl]

Originally Posted by JFreak

Which Macbook? Older models had a combo audio input connector, which accepted optical 3.5mm digital input directly

Early 2013 Macbook Pro Retina 15.4 with 16gb RAM and 512SSD. Pretty sure this is gen 1 TB but it does have early USB3.0

[JFreak]

That model has the combo connector, so I'm pretty sure you can simply connect your gear with an adapter

[ramonetl]

Originally Posted by JFreak

That model has the combo connector, so I'm pretty sure you can simply connect your gear with an adapter

Good to know. Inexpensive also. Do you know if this is true of the brand new one just released? There will come a time when I decide to upgrade. Probably not next year but if I catch another BB Easter sale I may then. Last time I got a 400 dollar break on mine. Thanks. Peter

[JFreak]

Haven't seen a new one yet