2015 MBP Cirrus Logic CS4208

[Jud]

I’ve seen enough on the web about kernel streaming problems with Boot Camp as well as problems with Linux audio on Intel Macs that I think both of these are probably dead ends. So it’s either WASAPI or one of two other alternatives. Both involve a Raspberry Pi, though you could go for something Intel based if you don’t mind spending about $400 more.

Before going into this any further, do you want to get involved with Linux at all, either pre-installed or installed yourself? Because if that’s a non-starter I don’t want to waste your time.

[Nigel]

I like Mint, and have used it extensively. For now I’m just going to use WASAPI under bootcamp for headphones work and the SPL for studio.

[Smartech]

The 2015 MacBook Pro uses the Cirrus Logic CS4208 audio codec for its onboard sound processing. This chip is responsible for handling the laptop’s audio input and output, including the internal speakers, headphone jack, and microphone. On macOS, the driver support is built-in, so users typically experience good audio performance out of the box.
However, for users running Linux or Windows via Boot Camp, getting the CS4208 to work properly may require additional drivers or configuration, especially for features like the headphone auto-detect or microphone input.

[Jud]

And then throw in kernel streaming…

[Nigel]

Is Kernel streaming available with Linux on Apple/Intel hardware? I wouldn’t mind throwing Mint on the old boy.

[AndyLubke]

@Nigel

Is Kernel streaming available with Linux on Apple/Intel hardware?

No, kernel streaming is a Windows only platform API (WASAPI and ASIO are Windows only too).

[Jud]

And I would add to @AndyLubke 's comment that it isn’t relevant that it’s not available. As you did when you compared kernel streaming to Core Audio, the relevant thing to consider is the function of the driver (how many abstraction layers, etc.) plus userland (how many processes are running, how much CPU is devoted to them) and how these might affect the sound, if at all.

Purely subjectively, I find myself using the Linux version (on a lightweight headless Linux distribution), but I have no idea whether it’s theoretically or objectively better. I just like it.

Edit: Important note: I’m using an external DAC (actually I have 3 different ones, the least expensive of which is a portable that’s about $150 IIRC). Linux works beautifully with it. But I seem to recall reading about problems trying to use a Linux driver with Apple’s internal Cirrus chip.

[Nigel]

Thank you for the useful feedback. I’ll have to try Linux at some point, but for now Win 10 is giving the vibes.

[Ddude003]

Yea yea, blah blah blah… Same old hallucinating AI, Lisp was left coast… What was the equivalent for the right coast that lead to the Lisa and Mac… Think OOP… Ah, Alan Kay…