• Registered: 2023-12-15
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Alternative card for full AES studio

Hello,

This is my first post and I have an existential doubt. I've been working since 2012 with a first-generation UFX, very happy with it. I use all the ports, both analog and digital. But I've changed my listening system to a Genelec 5.1 system connected via AES.

Right now, I'm using an old ADAT to AES converter, the RME ADI4-DD, which works perfectly, but I would like to switch to an AES card to avoid conversions (even though it works perfectly). I also use external converters like a HEDD 192 and a Focusrite ISA via AES, and for my needs, the UFX is too much.

My question is, is there any USB or Thunderbolt alternative to the HDSPe AES card? The HDSPe is great, but I would have to buy a Thunderbolt to PCIe adapter, and the budget skyrockets for my intentions since I want to keep the UFX for field recordings.

Thank you, regards!

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 13,383

Re: Alternative card for full AES studio

Digital conversion is absolutely no issue, no quality degration because of using ADI4-DD.

To put an example, such things happen also perfectly on each MADI device like e.g., Octamic XTC (or other like 12Mic, M-1610 Pro, ..) which is one of the most flexible preamps which has even been advertized by RME as a format converter (between MADI, 4x AES and ADAT).

In other words you can savely use the ADI4-DD.

If PCIe is no option for you then the most flexible solution for you is an upgrade to UFX III.
With MADI you have also several options to perform format conversion.

An option is also to get 1-2x ADI-2 Pro FS R BE and to connect it to the ADAT port(s) of your UFX.
There is a routing mode which converts the digital signal to AES and you could enhance your monitoring by using one or two ADI-2 Pro FS (or ADI-2/4 pro SE if you like the feature set of it more).

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14

3 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,767

Re: Alternative card for full AES studio

Using 2 Pro: a '5.1 system via AES' will most probably require more than 2 AES outputs.

I would also keep using the ADI-4 DD. Perfect solution.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2023-12-15
  • Posts: 2

Re: Alternative card for full AES studio

Thank you all for the quick responses. I think I will stay with what I have for a while longer and in the future, if I finally choose to upgrade to Atmos, consider using a MADI card with converters to AES, of course RME.

I hope that an alternative to the HDSPe AES appears with perhaps 4 dsub25 via USB and with the great RME driver.