AES or Coax from Transport to DAC?

[Saffy]

Hi, I have a formally great Carmen II transport from Theta - with just Coax or AES outs. Which would be best for a Topping D90? Thanks

 

[DonH56]

It is unlikely to matter but I'd use AES to preclude a ground loop happening.

 

[mansr]

Does the coax not have a transformer?

 

[LTig]

Does the coax not have a transformer?

A transformer is optional for SPDIF Coax. 30 years ago many inputs had one but unfortunately not today, as far as I can see.

 

[DonH56]

Does the coax not have a transformer?

IME, albeit not much lately, pro gear may have an input transformer, but most consumer gear does not. Just goes straight into the transceiver chip. The few pieces of gear I have that I can see into do not have a transformer on the S/PDIF coax input.

 

[mansr]

Transformers are annoyingly expensive.

 

[Saffy]

No transformer required

 

[mansr]

No transformer required

Still a good idea.

 

[Saffy]

Thanks, I'll stick with the Coax That I have on hand, and experiment later with an AES