AES/EBU

The XLR AES/EBU input and output are transformer-balanced and ground-free. The incoming channel status is ignored. Connection is accomplished using balanced cables with XLR plugs.

AES/EBU (and SPDIF) can contain Emphasis information. Audio signals with Emphasis have a strong high frequency boost, requiring high frequency attenuation on playback.

An Emphasis indication gets lost as there exists no standardized interface on computers to handle this information!

Input

wHA 720 5C 1

Thanks to a highly sensitive input stage, the SPDIF coaxial signal can also be received using a simple phono-to-XLR cable adapter. To accomplish this, pins 2 and 3 of a male XLR plug are each connected to the two pins of a phono (Cinch/RCA) plug. The cable shielding is connected only to pin 1 of the XLR plug and not to the phono plug.

Output

Using the cable adapter XLR/phono described above, devices with coaxial SPDIF interface can be connected to the AES output of the HDSPe AoX-M as well. Note that most consumer equipment with phono (SPDIF) inputs will only accept signals having a Channel Status 'Consumer' format. The Consumer status is activated in the Settings dialog. In Consumer mode the output voltage is reduced as well, as SPDIF calls for a lower voltage than AES/EBU.

The output signal coding of the HDSPe AoX-M has been implemented according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4:

  1. 44.1 / 48 kHz, 88.2 / 96 kHz, 176.4 / 192 kHz depending on the current sample rate

  2. Audio use

  3. No Copyright, Copy permitted

  4. Format Professional or Consumer

  5. Category General, Generation not indicated

  6. 2-Channel, No Emphasis