AES/EBU again

stelibo · Post by **stelibo** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 12:56 pm

Yes,
works for me fine with standard unbalanced cable, but I would like to know what is the diferences betwen mixdowns from AES to AES and SPDIF to SPDIF (simply) Is the final mix of AES/EBU stronger than SPDIF??
Maybe my question was not like I mean but this is what I would like to know.

BTW, AES/EBU option for DDX3216 is 150 US$. But the price is not problem. I like to know if I get better mixes with AES option I'll buy it

Mr Arkadin · Post by **Mr Arkadin** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 1:57 am

As a general rule SPDIF will go to AES, but there are often problems going the other way. Check http://www.rane.com/note149.html for a technical insight into the differences. Apart from the impedence difference there's also sub-bits that tell your equipment if the incoming data is SPDIF or AES, which can cause some older equipment to have a fit. If you're doing a lot of digital stuff back and forth I would recommend getting a conversion unit. There are cheapish ones available, as well as the nice, but quite expensive, CO3 http://www.m-audio.net/products/m-audio/co3a.php

Post by **garyb** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 2:57 am

i don't think there is a lot of difference in the final sound between sp/dif and aes/ebu.the main difference is that since aes/ebu is balanced,it will drive longer distances and be less likely to incur errors from outside sources(radiation).also,a balanced signal is less likely to have ground issues related to the cold conductor also carrying ground(chassis and signal ground can be kept separate).

in most cases,6 of one,half dozen of the other....ultimately,a boy scout(be prepared)will opt for the greater reliability of aes/ebu even though it may never really be crucial.i use aes/ebu w/a hosa aes/ebu-sp/dif converter(cheap at $60) because my pulsar plus has aes/ebu and lots of devices use sp/dif.

Grok · Post by **Grok** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 4:43 am

No differences in sound they are equivalents digital coding

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Grok on 2003-03-09 05:17 ]</font>

stelibo · Post by **stelibo** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 4:18 am

On 2003-03-09 02:57, garyb wrote:
the main difference is that since aes/ebu is balanced,it will drive longer distances and be less likely to incur errors from outside sources(radiation).also,a balanced signal is less likely to have ground issues related to the cold conductor also carrying ground(chassis and signal ground can be kept separate).

Doesn't mean that I can't get digital signal with +4dB with AES instead of unbalanced SPDIF -10dB. Maybe something wrong with me, maybe I can't understand something but I am live gig player too and using Dynacord Power Mate mixer with balanced XLR inputs is mutch stronger than unbalanced.

So in that way I like to say/ask that I think that wit AES will get +4dB remix and with SPDIF -10dB only??

Grok · Post by **Grok** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 4:58 am

Because AES/EBU & SPDIF are digital coding, there is no influence of the balanced/unbalanced topic on the sound quality. AES/EBU & SPDIF are strictly identicals regarding the sound quality.

What balancing gives to AES/EBU is the capacity to use (very) long cables without degradation of the electric signal. That's it and that's all. The signal electric level hasn't any influence on the sound quality because it's only a digitally coded signal and not an analogue signal as with microphones cables; with analogues signals electric level has an importance for the sound quality, but it's not the same with digitally coded audio signals as SPDIF and AES/EBU...So don't make the confusion...

I know, it's confusing

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Grok on 2003-03-10 04:59 ]</font>

Post by **garyb** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 12:59 pm

yes,that's what i said.

the +4db fact means that once again,the likelyhood of signal integrity is higher becausein this case, it is hotter...there is no sound in digital code however,only in the interpretation of that code.....

RedSun · Post by **RedSun** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 4:46 pm

Keep in mind though that low quality converters or cables(especialy long ones) could induce jitter in the digital stream, which will degrade stereo perception.

RedSun .:.

stelibo · Post by **stelibo** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 5:59 pm

Thanks to all of You, it's clear now.