# Re-use of an Apple TV 3

**URL:** <https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-use-of-an-apple-tv-3/2214>\
**Category:** DIY Audio & Modifications\
**Created:** [October 27, 2018, 12:35am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-use-of-an-apple-tv-3/2214 "2018-10-27T00:35:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jflores476](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d78d45/32.png) [@jflores476](https://forum.headphones.com/u/jflores476)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 12:35am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-use-of-an-apple-tv-3/2214/1 "2018-10-27T00:35:20Z")

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Here’s maybe a crazy idea. Can I use an old Apple TV 3rd gen as a source, through an optical DAC to a headphone amp? I know, Apple music, blah blah, but seriously, how is the output from the optical port?

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**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-use-of-an-apple-tv-3/2214/2 "2018-10-27T00:48:27Z")

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Seems plausible enough, but I have limited Apple experience to yay or nay. But if you have it laying around just try and see.

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**Author:** ![Torq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/torq/32/16384_2.png) [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-use-of-an-apple-tv-3/2214/3 "2018-10-27T01:01:06Z")

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Not great.

And has forced ASRC to 16/48 kHz, regardless of the source rate.

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**Author:** ![jflores476](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d78d45/32.png) [@jflores476](https://forum.headphones.com/u/jflores476)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 5:36am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-use-of-an-apple-tv-3/2214/4 "2018-10-28T05:36:43Z")

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@torq, from the Nyquist discussion, I had the feeling that 16/48 was at or above human perception of dynamic range. No?

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**Author:** ![Torq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/torq/32/16384_2.png) [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-use-of-an-apple-tv-3/2214/5 "2018-10-28T16:24:26Z")

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That’s not the issue.

It’s that feeding an Apple TV a 16/44.1 source file will result in it being forcibly converted to 16/48, which is a non-integer sample rate conversion.

To do that well requires a filter which is more sophisticated than the Apple TV (or typical mobile devices) implements.

The combination of not-great optical output with ASRC may result in audible artifacts … depending on the precise chain, how critically you listen and so on.

It’s a great convenience solution, but otherwise it less then ideal.

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**Author:** ![jflores476](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d78d45/32.png) [@jflores476](https://forum.headphones.com/u/jflores476)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/re-use-of-an-apple-tv-3/2214/6 "2018-10-28T20:33:32Z")

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Ah… that makes sense. Most of my source material is Apple Music but something to consider. I ordered a little Fiio DAC and I’m going to give it a go. The ATV is collecting dust right now.

😊