DAC that can take AES/EBU inputs

[Reggiejackson]

Hi, I'm looking for an affordable dac that can except AES/EBU [XLR looking] in, out output from my audio interface. I want to run another set of Monitor speakers from the AES/ EBU output[ I also use the analog outputs on the interface] on my audio interface. So I can buy regular studio monitors as all the one's I've seen with AES are way too expensive for me...

Thanks for any help.

 

[raif71]

I would suggest Topping d70 or d70s. Both have AES input... the above picture is d70s. Not sure you can find it new now. I bought mine (d70) used.

 

[DWPress]

The Okto DAC8 stereo has AES input. There's a member selling a miniDSP 4x10 on ASR right now for an excellent price and it has AES in/out as well as a lot of other functionality.

 

[MAB]

If looking for affordable, perhaps a Behringer Ultra Drive:

Behringer Ultra-Drive Pro DCX2496 Loudspeaker Management System

Digital 24-Bit/96 kHz Loudspeaker Management System With Four Mono/Stereo Operating Modes, Adjustable Delays, and Output Channel Limiters

www.sweetwater.com

Or Ultra Curve:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DEQ2496--behringer-ultracurve-pro-deq2496

Under $300, includes a ton of features, OK performance:

Behringer DEQ2496 Ultracurve Pro DSP Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Behringer DEQ2496 Ultracurve "2-channel Equalizer and Mastering Processor." It was kindly loaned to me for testing from a member and has a retail cost of US $645 but I see it discounted to US $429. For those of you frustrated with my lead...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I've had good experience with Behringer, although I find too many features that I don't quite need.

 

[Reggiejackson]

View attachment 385245

I would suggest Topping d70 or d70s. Both have AES input... the above picture is d70s. Not sure you can find it new now. I bought mine (d70) used.

I have 2 cables for the AES I think one is IN and the other is OUT will it work with just one connection?

@ MAB Thanks for the recommendation that is more the price range I'm looking for

 

[raif71]

I have 2 cables for the AES I think one is IN and the other is OUT will it work with just one connection?

@ MAB Thanks for the recommendation that is more the price range I'm looking for

The AES digital connection uses a single cable... so connect the AES cable to the DAC where it says AES input to your player/source where it says AES out

 

[Reggiejackson]

Studiospares

Studiospares

www.studiospares.com

Would that work? In which case I could use almost any DAC

 

[Roland68]

Hi, I'm looking for an affordable dac that can except AES/EBU [XLR looking] in, out output from my audio interface. I want to run another set of Monitor speakers from the AES/ EBU output[ I also use the analog outputs on the interface] on my audio interface. So I can buy regular studio monitors as all the one's I've seen with AES are way too expensive for me...

Thanks for any help.

What exactly do you want to do?
DACs always only have one digital AES input and analog outputs.

 

[linuxfan]

Studiospares

Studiospares

www.studiospares.com

Would that work? In which case I could use almost any DAC

Yes, I was poised to suggest the same thing. That LA507 appears to be a fully active S/PDIF-AES3 converter, and I must say it's quite cheap compared to the Hosa CDL-313.
Such devices are very worthwhile having when you need to go from S/PDIF-to-AES3, but since you are going the other way - from AES3-to-S/PDIF, all you really need is a passive transformer, such as this -
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/406162-REG/Canare_BCJ_XJ_TRB_BCJ_XJ_TRB_110_Ohm_to.html

Now just get yourself a good entry level DAC such as the Topping E30 II lite (US$100)
https://www.toppingaudio.com/product-item/e30-ii-lite

 

[Reggiejackson]

What exactly do you want to do?
DACs always only have one digital AES input and analog outputs.

Is the AES/EBU connector I have. My intention is to run my AES connection into a DAC then into my regular analog studio monitors.. There are two XLR looking connectors so I'm a little concerned why some of the devices only have one connection port instead of two?

 

[Reggiejackson]

I also have found Mini USB to AES Audio Signal Adapter Converter Cable 16/24/32bit 44.1k-192KHzAD. Maybe usb would be better than SPIDF?

 

[DWPress]

Maybe usb would be better than SPIDF?

They are both digital connections and should perform equally. Toslink would give you ground protection but otherwise it's a matter of which would work best for you.

Do you have a link to that USB to AES converter?

 

[phoenixdogfan]

The Emotiva Dacs have AES/EBU inputs. You may be able to find a used XDA-2 which has them for cheap. I've owned that unit and it's decent with a great remote.

 

[Reggiejackson]

They are both digital connections and should perform equally. Toslink would give you ground protection but otherwise it's a matter of which would work best for you.

Do you have a link to that USB to AES converter?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...f5567224f60a6b5a1528c5a1725&afSmartRedirect=n

this link is huge so hope it works. Maybe not the best place to buy gear, but is what google came up with, lol.

 

[DWPress]

There are two XLR looking connectors so I'm a little concerned why some of the devices only have one connection port instead of two?

Your audio interface has this breakout cable to allow for AES input and output. Most consumer DACs only have digital inputs and, as you've discovered, not many accept AES as it is more a pro audio connection. It is possible to use a RCA type SPDIF cable to convert to AES if your cable length is short.

 

[win]

View attachment 385343
Is the AES/EBU connector I have. My intention is to run my AES connection into a DAC then into my regular analog studio monitors.. There are two XLR looking connectors so I'm a little concerned why some of the devices only have one connection port instead of two?

AES/EBU uses an XLR connector. But that's where the similarities end. The cable itself has a different impedance. It also carries a stereo signal, so you only need one AES/EBU xlr cable for stereo audio, whereas analog xlr cables carry only one channel.

Also note that XLR connectors are directional, and will always have male connectors as signal output side (they will have pins) and the female connectors for signal input (with holes).

In the picture you posted, that breakout cable had one provision for a digital aes xlr out, and a digital aes xlr in.

 

[staticV3]

this link is huge so hope it works.

You can delete everything after ".html" in AliExpress links. The rest is just tracking data.

 

[Reggiejackson]

^
thanks
^^
thanks

That will help me to get the right type.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07D6LN5GJ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1P0JKDBJQ43H7&th=1

Is a DMX which I think might be the same as AES?

this with

Amazon.ca

Hopefully that will work at pretty low cost then get a topping 30

 

[linuxfan]

I also have found Mini USB to AES Audio Signal Adapter Converter Cable 16/24/32bit 44.1k-192KHzAD. Maybe usb would be better than SPIDF?

USB-audio output is generally only available from a computer or smartphone. Surely your audio interface does not provide USB-audio output.

Is a DMX which I think might be the same as AES?

No. DMX is a communication protocol for stage lighting and effects.

 

[linuxfan]

It is possible to use a RCA type SPDIF cable to convert to AES if your cable length is short.

Yes, a simple female XLR to RCA cable will probably work fine, although there's a slight risk of a ground loop, especially in a home recording environment where there may be multiple devices connected.
To play it safe you should use a transformer-based converter. Apart from the Canare product I linked earlier, there's also a model from Neutrik -
https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/naditbnc-fx

Reggiejackson, you need these 3 items -
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/406162-REG/Canare_BCJ_XJ_TRB_BCJ_XJ_TRB_110_Ohm_to.html
https://www.amazon.com/CIMPLE-CO-Cable-Black-Professional/dp/B06XKQRSGT
https://www.toppingaudio.com/product-item/e30-ii-lite