• tor
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Topic: Matthias / RME Tech support: PCI -> adapter -> PCIe

Searched the forum, found and read related posts/threads, but couldn't find any input from RME on the above mentioned subject, which is what I was really after. Might have overlooked it, if so, sorry for bringing this up again. Hope you'll still find the time to reply : )

I love my two HDSP 9652 cards, been using them since around 2005 I think. Every second they've been up and running, they've been lightning fast and rock solid, with absolutely no exceptions.
As I'll be performing computer hardware upgrades soon that make replacement of the motherboard unavoidable, it would be of great help to know RME's thoughts on the use of HDSP PCI cards in PCIe slots via adapters.

Some 9652 (and other PCI) users report no problems at all, the same performance and stability as when inserted into a PCI slot, while others report that their cards aren't detected by the system, won't show up in the hardware list, aren't recognized etc

Are there differences between the two slots' electrical properties that in some systems become incompatible, while in others they don't? If I remember correctly, the 9652 expects a specific voltage, was it 5 volts? If possible, how does one go about ensuring the correct voltage for the 9652, when inserted into a PCIe slot via an adapter?
If using an adapter, in RME's expert opinion, is a viable solution, might there perhaps be things to look for, and things to look out for, when shopping for a new motherboard?

As mentioned, I'm using two 9652s. I've seen adapters with two PCI slots, inserted into one PCIe slot via an extension cable. Could two 9652s coexist in such a setup, sharing the one PCIe slot/bus?

Worst case scenario, I'll have to shop for 9652 alternatives. In my current system, all ADAT ins and outs are in use. Which other RME gear/setups would facilitate the simultaneous use of six separate ADAT units? 

Any and all input will be greatly appreciated.
Hope to hear from you soon
Best regards, Tor

  • ramses
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
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Re: Matthias / RME Tech support: PCI -> adapter -> PCIe

I personally have no experience with PCIe to PCI adapters.
Some other board members have, you can find a few articles in this forum using forum search.

There are still a few mainboards with >=2 PCI slots on board

Socket  1151 v2
https://geizhals.de/?cat=mbp4_1151v2&xf=489_2
Socket AM4
https://geizhals.de/?cat=mbam4&xf=489_2
Xeon Socket 1151
https://geizhals.de/?cat=mbxeon&xf= … 16%7E489_2

> Worst case scenario, I'll have to shop for 9652 alternatives. In my current system, all ADAT ins and outs are in use.
> Which other RME gear/setups would facilitate the simultaneous use of six separate ADAT units?

Officially supported by RME are up to three RayDATs in a system.

Other alternative, switch to MADI: with MADI you have 64 channels at 44/48 kHz. Fiber optic cables between the up to 8 devices on the MADI bus can be up to 2km long.

UFX+ is an USB3/Thunderbolt recording interface with a great feature set
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … 8-RME-UFX/
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … Cber-MADI/

HDSPe MADI FX (PCIe) could also be interesting with 3 MADI busses / optimized and very efficient ASIO driver which reduces the system load even further by deactivating audio channels currently not in use
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … Pro-FS-BE/

MADI would be an investment into the future making yourself independend from ADAT with channel limit and length restrictions of cables.

Other alternative: AVB.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • tor
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  • Registered: 2007-07-15
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Re: Matthias / RME Tech support: PCI -> adapter -> PCIe

Thanks for the input, greatly appreciated : )
Never came across the Xeon board, looks like the better choice of all relevant mobos I've checked.
Been considering a possible change of interface lately, though, would have simplified PC hardware upgrade enormously. Zero-latency DSP MADI FX is very tempting, I must admit, but that would require an ADI 648 too, right? To interface over ADAT with my preamps, fx etc?
   
Tor

4 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2020-07-23 14:05:05)

  • ramses
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Re: Matthias / RME Tech support: PCI -> adapter -> PCIe

> I must admit, but that would require an ADI 648 too, right?

Yes or in a good case of luck you have some components that could be upgraded with an optional MADI module.
Like it is the case for e.g. the Ferrofish Pulse 16.

Or you take the challenge and sell / upgrade some devices.

If you would e.g. take the very flexible UFX+, then you would have already 2 ADAT, 4 Mic and 8 analog ports.
Maybe then only 1 or 2 additional devices that support MADI out of the box and then you are through ...

UFX+ gives you the flexibility to connect to either USB3 or Thunderbolt which is external PCIe.
You can even use it standalone and as tape deck
I am using DURec excessively. Also nice for recordings, you have DURec as backup recording on top to DAW recording.

Here my current use case for the UFX+: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … Rec-EN-DE/

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • Registered: 2008-01-01
  • Posts: 3,025

Re: Matthias / RME Tech support: PCI -> adapter -> PCIe

Here is the last post I did about that subject:

https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 16#p118616