User's Guide HDSP AES-32 - RME

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 shielding
is only connected to pin 1 of the XLR -
not to the phono plug.
22.2 AES/EBU Outputs
The AES/EBU outputs are provided via 25 pin D-sub connectors with Tascam pinout (also used
by Digidesign). A digital breakout cable will provide 4 male (and 4 female) XLR connectors per
D-sub connector. Each output is transformer-balanced, ground-free and compatible to all devices
with AES/EBU ports.
If Output Format Professional is chosen, the output level is almost 5 Volt. If deselected, the
output signal will have a channel status compatible to SPDIF. As far as we know, every SPDIF
device should be capable of handling an input signal of up to 5 Volt instead of the usual 0.5
Volt. Nevertheless the output level will be reduced to 2 Volt in this case.
Besides the audio data, digital signals in SPDIF or AES/EBU format contain a channel status
coding, which is being used for transmitting further information. The output signal coding of the
HDSP AES-32 has been implemented according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4:
• 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 64 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz according to the
current sample rate
• Audio use
• No Copyright, Copy permitted
• Format Consumer or Professional
• Category General, Generation not indicated
• 2-Channel, No Emphasis oder 50/15 µs
• Single Channel Double Sampling Frequency Mode (Double Wire)
• Aux Bits Audio use, 24 Bit
• Origin: HDSP
Note that most consumer HiFi equipment (with optical or phono SPDIF inputs) will only accept
signals in ‘Consumer’ format!
The status 'Professional' should always be active when sending data to a device with AES/EBU
inputs (when the XLR connectors are used).
Pinout of the D-sub connector, Outputs
Signal Out Out Out Out Out Out Out Out
1/2+ 1/2- 3/4+ 3/4- 5/6+ 5/6- 7/8+ 7/8-
D-Sub 18 6 4 17 15 3 1 14
GND is connected to pins 2, 5, 8, 11, 16, 19, 22, 25. Pin 13 is not connected.
Connecting devices with coaxial SPDIF ports to the HDSP AES-32 outputs is accomplished by
a simple cable adapter XLR/phono, as described above. Just use a female XLR connector.
User's Guide HDSP AES-32 © RME 39