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Mac optical out has some speed limits built into it. Optical connection quality can be affected by the cable too, not least a poor quality cable can just fail on and off. The big advantage of optical is electrical isolation. These days it's less usual to have the kind of problems that require the computer and dac to be isolated.
Airhead-
I have an issue with RFI interference with USB audio on my PC, which I can only assume is down to the PC case as it’s remained present through multiple powersupply, motherboard and audio interface changes! Fortunately FireWire solves the interface problem as it’s also electrically isolated (and old school midi, which is optically isolated).
Dramatic_Hammer
What's the thinking with the off-board DAC (I'm assuming audio interface - was it you with the focusrite scarlett/red?) not doing any DAC? Is the Mac optical out a bit shit?