[Sebastian Lopera]

Hi to all,

Right now I’m looking for an audio interface with multiple AES Inputs. My setup:

• HEDD AD/DA as my main mastering converter
• Lavry Le4496 AD/DA as secondary mastering conversion to choose for specific material needs
• Avoceet as monitoring DA

I looked for RME AES HDSPe and LYNX AES16e, any experience or differences between them? Any suggestions?

[Bob Katz]

I’m selling a Motu 8D on Ebay. You can convert the two SPDIFs to AES EBU with a Canare or Neutrik transformer. So basically you get 8 channels of AES with the Motu.

[LINDA PALM]

I’m interested in this, too.  Apparently the “RCA’s” coming off my Yamaha Disklavier Enspire Pro, to record digital out of my Bosendorfer may be AES.  Research is still needed…

[Robert Bristow-Johnson]

The connectors are different (like S/PDIF uses old RCA jacks and AES/EBU uses XLR) and I dunno if the voltages are compatible but I thought you could hook up one to another.  The sample data bits are the same (I think the preamble bits are the same) but the metadata bits are different between AES/EBU and S/PDIF.

[Bob Katz]

Dear Linda: For all intents and purposes, SPDIF protocol and AES protocol are compatible. It’s the same data and can be passed from one machine to another. There is a pro and a consumer bit, but most devices these days ignore the incompatible bits. Years ago, DAT machines gave people trouble but those are gone and most DAWs and samplers will ignore the bits. So, SPDIF and AES protocol are pretty much interchangeable.

Then there’s the voltage, impedance, and balancing, unbalancing.

A simple Neutrik or Canare transformer does the job. I think that Sescom has one, too. Google 110 ohm to 75 ohm AES transformer and see if you find what you need.

Here’s an example:

https://www.markertek.com/product/bcj-xj-tr/canare-bcj-xj-trc-xlr-f-110-ohm-to-bnc-f-75-ohm-impedence-transformer?gclid=Cj0KCQjwocShBhCOARIsAFVYq0izyO-UhVLGSq9KSF68a4isZTSMgYQU2nQcnrVYaKnOKGxhr2bw_yQaAj-rEALw_wcB

A BNC to RCA adapter or cable finishes the job.

[Bob Katz]

I’m not sure if the Diskclavier or Bosendorfer will ignore the small amounts of metadata that are different, like the pro and consumer bit, but it’s highly likely they will interchange and the Canare or Neutrik transformer will work. DO NOT USE ORDINARY MIKE CABLE for the AES transfer. Use a dedicated 110 ohm rated XLR to XLR cable.

[Sebastian Lopera]

Hi Bo’s, thanks for your offer. A while ago I search about the MOTU 8D but I decided that It was not a good option because based on some comments that it was not 100% bit transparent.

 

[Bob Katz]

Sadly, I was the one who reported that. It is the reason I’m selling it. But I did listen and it seems fine, with a pretty good SRC. It’s just that in mastering I cannot afford to transfer data and have it not be bit-transparent. For general monitoring purposes the Motu sounds fine to me.