User`s guide

User's Guide ADI-192 DD © RME

6. Inputs

6.1 AES/EBU

At the rear side of the ADI-192 DD there are four XLR sockets for the AES/EBU inputs. Every

input is transformer-balanced and ground-free. Channel status and copy protection are being

ignored.

Thanks to a highly sensitive input stage,

also SPDIF signals can be processed by

using a simple cable adapter phono/XLR.

To achieve this, pins 2 and 3 of a male

XLR plug are connected individually to the

two pins of a phono plug. The cable shield-

ing is only connected to pin 1 of the XLR -

not to the phono plug.

The inputs can be used in any combination, e. g. it is sufficient to connect an input signal only to

input 3. In slave mode, this input is automatically being used as clock source. If more than one

signal is present, the one furthest left is being used as clock source, i. e. the active input with

the lowest number.

If only one AES input is used, the ADI-192 DD copies the stereo signal to all AES outputs, real-

izing a useful distribution mode where one AES signal is sent to four devices at the same time

(splitter/distributor). The distribution mode is also available when using the front SPDIF input.

Please note that this special function is only active in Single Speed operation, but also with

SRC activated.

The ADI-192 DD supports all currently known formats in the range of 32 kHz up to 192 kHz,

including sample multiplexing:

• Single Wire: 8 channels 32 kHz – 192 kHz. 2 channels per AES wire. The effective sample

frequency equals the clock on the AES wire.

• Double Wire: 4 channels 88.2 kHz – 192 kHz. 1 channel per AES wire. The effective sample

frequency is double the clock of the AES wire.

• Quad Wire: 2 channels 176.4 kHz – 192 kHz. 1 channel via 2 AES wires. The effective sam-

ple frequency is four times the clock of the AES wire.

Rearranging the formats Double and Quad Wire to Single Wire is lossless, the existing samples

are just re-ordered again. Information on the distribution of the samples in Double and Quad

Wire mode is found in chapter 7.1, Outputs AES.

The optional hi-end 8-channel sample rate converter can be used both for a conversion of the

sample rate and for clock decoupling of the AES/EBU inputs. See chapter 8, Sample Rate Con-

verter.

Emphasis

AES/EBU and SPDIF can contain Emphasis information. Audio signals with Emphasis have a

strong high frequency boost and thus require a high frequency attenuation on playback. If one

of the inputs detects Emphasis, this information is coded into all AES outputs, i.e. globally

passed on.

Emphasis is not available within the ADAT standard! This information is neither passed on

to the ADAT output, nor taken into account later on for acoustic transmission!