Topic: RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition setup with Neumann kh 750 sub

Hey guys , just purchased a new pair of Neumann 120 v2 and wanna connect all my system digital instead of analogue

I ve got Adi 2 pro fs black analogue outs -- Neumann sub -- old monitors

The Adi has the cable whip for AES / EBU and SPDIF coaxial outs but never connected nothing this way, also took a look at manual but was even more confusion so need some help smile

How to connect from Adi 2 pro black to Neumann 750 sub, then the sub to 120 v2 Neumanns ?
What cables do i need to get ?

Thanks in advance
Robert

2 (edited by waedi 2024-09-27 23:59:33)

Re: RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition setup with Neumann kh 750 sub

Hi Robert

from the Sub to the speakers use regular XLR cables

From the AES XLR to the sub input it gets weird.
They use a BNC connector, I never seen this before, ok there are some adapters and cables

A AES XLR cable from the ADI-2 to the adapter then a BNC cable to the sub

Adapter :

https://www.thomann.de/de/neutrik_nadit … dapter.htm

https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x600/pics/bdb/_14/148518/9848486_800.jpg


AES-XLR cable :

https://www.thomann.de/de/cae_29018_aesebukabel_5m.htm

https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x600/pics/bdb/_15/158269/11589819_800.jpg


BNC cable :

https://www.thomann.de/de/pro_snake_28072.htm

https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x600/pics/bdb/_35/350382/9336382_800.jpg

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

3 (edited by KaiS 2024-09-28 07:23:52)

Re: RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition setup with Neumann kh 750 sub

This question came up here several times, for a good reason:

Neumann, in their endless wisdom, choose a non-standard connections for digital AES signal:

An asymmetrical BNC connector, with a circuit that breaks if you are using a simple cable adapter to adapt a standard XLR connection with standard AES digital signal’s electrical level (this doesn’t mean audio volume, but digital signal voltage).

The connection scheme how to avoid this is in the Neumann KH 750 DSP sub’s manual page 10, so I won’t repeat it here again.


What, in their endless wisdom, they don’t tell:
If you connect e.g. ADI-2’s SPDIF Coax digital out (instead of XLR AES), a simple RCA to BNC adapter like this one does the trick, mechanics and electrical level will match:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WvM-WLwZL.jpg
And this cable type, RCA to RCA:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613bDRiyWUL._AC_SY879_.jpg


On the ADI-2 side it’s very simple:

Switch on the option: Digital Out Source - Main Out.

From ADI-2’s manual, repeatedly in the chapter 17 - Modes:
The option Digital Out Source - Main Out (SETUP – Options – Device Mode / DSD) sends the processed signal Main Out 1/2 to the digital outputs AES, SPDIF and ADAT, for example to connect active monitors having digital inputs.

Re: RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition setup with Neumann kh 750 sub

Thanks guys smile

Re: RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition setup with Neumann kh 750 sub

KaiS wrote:

This question came up here several times, for a good reason:

Neumann, in their endless wisdom, choose a non-standard connections for digital AES signal:

An asymmetrical BNC connector, with a circuit that breaks if you are using a simple cable adapter to adapt a standard XLR connection with standard AES digital signal’s electrical level (this doesn’t mean audio volume, but digital signal voltage).

The connection scheme how to avoid this is in the Neumann KH 750 DSP sub’s manual page 10, so I won’t repeat it here again.


What, in their endless wisdom, they don’t tell:
If you connect e.g. ADI-2’s SPDIF Coax digital out (instead of XLR AES), a simple RCA to BNC adapter like this one does the trick, mechanics and electrical level will match:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WvM-WLwZL.jpg
And this cable type, RCA to RCA:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613bDRiyWUL._AC_SY879_.jpg


On the ADI-2 side it’s very simple:

Switch on the option: Digital Out Source - Main Out.

From ADI-2’s manual, repeatedly in the chapter 17 - Modes:
The option Digital Out Source - Main Out (SETUP – Options – Device Mode / DSD) sends the processed signal Main Out 1/2 to the digital outputs AES, SPDIF and ADAT, for example to connect active monitors having digital inputs.

I see.

The way i have my studio connected is -  Ferrofish to Digiface usb to Adi 2 pro to monitoring system all connected by adat.
Adi 2 is in AD/DC mode without usb
So Adi 2 have adat In/Out in use .
(totally forgot to mention this , as this works so tight i forgot its there)

If i connect the way you refer SPDIF Coax digital out to Sub will it work ?

6 (edited by KaiS 2024-09-28 11:04:43)

Re: RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition setup with Neumann kh 750 sub

AES, Optical and Coax digital outs always carry the same signal on ADI-2 Pro (see block diagrams manual page 37-43).
Only exception is Multichannel USB-Mode, which doesn’t help for what you intend.

As you mentioned, digital outs are occupied by another task, so you have to stay with ADI-2’s analog outs for monitoring.

Re: RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition setup with Neumann kh 750 sub

This is what I did to avoid adapters:
- RCA to BNC cable to connect the RME to the sub
- BNC to RCA cable to connect the sub to KH 120 II speaker #1
- RCA to RCA cable to connect KH 120 II speaker #1 to KH 120 II speaker #2

The particular cables I used were made with Canare LV-61S (cable assembly is Laird brand).

It's odd that Neumann used BNC on the sub and RCA on the speakers.

8 (edited by KaiS 2024-10-11 07:54:49)

Re: RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition setup with Neumann kh 750 sub

quattro98 wrote:

It's odd that Neumann used BNC on the sub and RCA on the speakers.

… and more odd, even ridiculous, that this BNC input can be brocken when feeding the professional AES level directly - according to Neumann’s own manual.

In the field (as a professional) you don’t have the time to read manuals.
You plug with any adapter you have and move on to your real task, working with the music.


BNC, in my experience, isn’t the best connector anyway.
It’s used on measurement devices, professional video and, in former times, for computer network cabling.
The connector is notoriously unreliable, compared to XLR.
The main culprit is the cable mounting, which is press-fit only.