ADAT to multiple SPDIF (at least 2x24/96, ideally 4x24/48)

[mike7877]

I've been looking at the usual suspects from the usual suspects for an adapter to turn the ADAT optical port on my interface into at least two 24/96 SPDIF or ideally four 24/48s, but I haven't had any luck! All I can find is multi-channel ADCs and DACs which connect back through ADAT, nothing that's digital...

My interface is RME Babyface Pro (non-fs).
I've read that RME's driver supports up to three RME devices simultaneously, one has to be master while the other is slave.. I don't know how this can be done if my Babyface only has one ADAT out - if that has to go into another device's input and not a DAC, connecting the two for sync is pretty pointless because there's still just one available optical out (if the second device was another Babyface or interface with only one ADAT as well)

Do I have to buy a DigiFace for this? One of the reasons I got the Babyface 5 years ago was for its ability to expand ADAT to 2x 24/96 and 4x 24/48. Well that day has come, and I'm disappoint! lol
Hopefully not?

 

[gberchin]

The closest thing to it that I could find is the MCHStreamer, which can apparently receive 8-channel ADAT and output it as four separate I²S signals (see page 22-23 of the User Manual). Converting that to S/PDIF requires circuitry. There are some products available, but I could not find any that support 4 signals.

 

[Rja4000]

I'm not sure to understand your need.

I have several effect devices that allow ADAT chaining.
You just select which pair is used on each device, and the output + other ADAT channels (untouched) are sent to the ADAT output. You then connect next device to it, and so on.
The Babyface can do the same. That should be straightforward using Totalmix.

Also, any RME with 2 ADAT outputs, like the UFX II and, probably, the 802 fs, may use the ADAT out as SPDIF, so you can, for sure, send 4 ADAT input channels to 2 SPDIF optical outputs (+2 AES outputs that may comnect to coax SPDIF if needed)

Other than that, I know a few ADAT converters, like the RME ADI-192 DD or the Mutec MC-4 can split ADAT to several SPDIF or AES, but on coax or XLR, not optical.

Finally, maybe worth a try, the old Motu 2408 mk 3 have 3 ADAT I/O and 2 SPDIF Coax out.
It may be possible to split ADAT ins and send to the SPDIF, possibly even up to 192kHz.
The good thing is that those cards may be purchased very cheap nowadays, on the second hand market.
I have 2 so I may try it, but I don't have them at hand right now.

 

[MC_RME]

The Digiface USB easily does the job. But it needs a USB connection, won't work stand-alone.

 

[mike7877]

I'll expand: Eventually it'll be for experimenting with active crossovers - a two way with my ATC SCM20 Pro PSL Mk2s, and if that works out well enough I'll try 3 way with my larger stand-mount Polk LSiM703s. The ATC SCM20 Pro PSL Mk2s first because it's simplest - only two drivers, and both drivers are flat for most of an octave above and below 2.1kHz (its passive crossover point for third order Butterworth).

Right now, though, I mainly use the ATCs, and what I want to do is use them optimally with my two Kef Kube 10b subwoofers. Sadly, since I bought them, they probably have only 100 hours on them because I haven't been able to find a point I like.

My DAC right now is Topping A70 Pro Sabre, so what I'd like to do is use the optical output from my RME Babyface Pro to it, applying "LC" (bottom left of picture), at 12dB/oct, and setting the frequency to match my mains. I'm not sure which frequency that is, but I'll find out! Their natural -6dB point is 56Hz...

So my ATC two ways are a sealed design, so applying an additional 12dB/oct rolloff to will make their rolloff 24dB/oct - matching the Kef Kube 10b.
I'll use the "speaker out" of the Babyface Pro for the signal to the subwoofers, and the optical out will be the same signal with the 12dB/oct filter applied. Although the latency of the A70 Pro Sabre is probably not the same as the RME internal DAC, but since this is a subwoofer, it's not critical to be 100% in time. If I notice anything, there is a way to adjust the buffer in the Babyface