Audio interface for AES

[tamtam]

Hey guys,
I'm planning to purchase an audio interface for my AES/EBU speakers (PMC).
And I'm stuck between choosing a proper and expensive solution and a passive conversion from spdif.
So, option one is to buy Ultralite MK5 and convert the Coax SPDIF into AES/EBU
using RCA -> BNC (RG6) -> Canare impedance converter -> XLR
Or
UCX 2.
A bit afraid of the passive conversion way, even the distance is less than 5 meters.
Volume control is a must have.
What do you think ?
Thanks

 

[G|force]

Lynx Hilo and Hilo2 also has AES I/O.

 

[tamtam]

Hilo is too expensive for me. It is for home studio / listening room.
Versatility is important for me, but the main limitation is the Volume control I guess.
Most of the interfaces are not supporting control over volume through spdif coax.
Not even sure if the volume is controllable via the Macos volume slider, because some audio interfaces lock this feature.
Need to control the volume for sure,
and another feature must have is a permanent dsp on headphones to bump the bass.
Sold my Prism Lyra 1 a while ago, due to the lack of versatility and lack of digital outputs.
No reason to go another da/ad conversion for these monitors.

 

[Neddy]

In case you missed it, tho may be more channels than you need...but a fraction of the Hilo pricing.

Okto Research

Objective performance

www.oktoresearch.com

Volume via knob or remote...

 

[Whatsthephuss]

Another option to consider is an active spdif to AES converter. Hosa makes one for sale on Sweetwater for $161.

I have several inexpensive consumer devices with EQ + spdif out (WIIM/FIIO), and I bought an active spdif to AES converter on eBay for $25. It took a few weeks to arrive from China but if you’re not in a rush it’s an option.

 

[tamtam]

Thanks guys, for now I decided to continue with a test with passive transformer from a WiiM Pro spdif .
In theory, if this works, I might be saving some bucks on the future audio interface with spdif instead of aes.
However, anyway there are not a lot of devices that allow volume control over spdif.
I thought I found a hidden gem, Arturia Audiofuse, (cheap on second hand market)
but unfortunately this device has a problematic volume potentiometer design.
On a fence now, couldn't justify the price of UCX 2, considering this is a digital connection and the sound should be the same from $150 or $1500 device.