1 Topic by Lessthanzero (edited by Lessthanzero 2024-11-16 00:15:24)

  • Registered: 2024-11-15
  • Posts: 5

Topic: ADI-2 FS - SPDIF/AES issue

Hi there. I am totally new to hooking up SPDIF/AES digital outputs so please excuse my ignorance!

I have a RME ADI-2 FS (not the Pro or DAC version; the AD/DA box as shown here: https://rme-audio.de/ADI-2-FS.html I have this connected via ADAT to an RME Digitace USB interface in its slot 1 I/O. On my PC.

I recently bought Antelope Audio Atlas i8 monitors. I have them hooked up to the analog outs of the ADI-2 FS. In RME Total mix I have ADAT 1/2 outs connected to the main outs which I run my PC audio through. I have the Digiface clocked to the input of the ADI-2 FS at 48hz. I have ADI-2 digi in set to OPT, digi out set to ADAT, clock set at 48hz. Everything sounds great.

The Antelope Atlas I8s have AES inputs which bypass the DA converters of your audio interface. For the hell of it, I wanted to hear what this sounded like, as I see the ADI-2 has a SPDIF/AES digital out. So I plugged an spdif/rca to AES/EBU cable I own into the SPDIF/rca output of the adi-2. Cable shown here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/134958739413?m … media=COPY

The other end connects to the AES input of speaker one. In the hardware interface screen of this speaker, you select input "AES 1". You then connect/daisychain a regular AES male to female cable to the AES input of speaker 2, and within that speaker's interface select "AES 2" per the instructions in the Atlas i8 manual: https://support.antelopeaudio.com/en/su … ser-manual

I have this all setup correct per the Antelope Atlas instructions but I am getting no sound out of my ADI2 FS. I have tried switching between all 3 digi out settings of ADAT, PRO, CON on the ADI-2 FS. I have tried disconnecting the ADAT out of the ADI-2 FS from the Digiface and setting its clock internally.

I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong here? I don't think it's an issue with the speakers. Am I using an incorrect cable or do I need some type of conversion box or something? Do I have the wrong settings within the RME software on my PC, or the ADI-2 FS hardware or what? Can someone please help me?? Thank you!!

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-11-16 00:48:13)

  • waedi
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  • Registered: 2020-12-08
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Re: ADI-2 FS - SPDIF/AES issue

From what you say I think you did all correct. What I would try
Switch off and on the speakers,  change the input select play around with all settings AES 1 or AES 2,
you did play them with analog input may be the speaker has memorized analog input and is stucking on switching to digital input.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2024-11-15
  • Posts: 5

Re: ADI-2 FS - SPDIF/AES issue

waedi wrote:

From what you say I think you did all correct. What I would try
Switch off and on the speakers,  change the input select play around with all settings AES 1 or AES 2,
you did play them with analog input may be the speaker has memorized analog input and is stucking on switching to digital input.

Hi thank you for the reply! Unfortunately I have tried all the various options... Setting them to both to AES 1 or 2, switching the one being daisy chained and so on... Nothing... I factory reset the speakers too... You can see on the Atlas interface that it says "aes in" is selected on both monitors. And since I tried switching the speakers (on which one would be daisy chained),  one would at least have sound coming out of it correct? (If it were a speaker issue)

Maybe the cable is faulty. This is the only SPDIF to AES one I currently have so maybe I'll grab another.

Do you mind telling me if the link I attached of the label I'm using looks like it should be working properly for this ? Thanks

  • waedi
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  • From: Swiss Zürich
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Re: ADI-2 FS - SPDIF/AES issue

Yes the cable looks good to me as it explicite says AES SPDIF cable, I did use regular cheap audio cables cinch to XLR and it worked always.
Sure the cable is connected to the red connector at the ADI-2 ?

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2024-11-15
  • Posts: 5

Re: ADI-2 FS - SPDIF/AES issue

waedi wrote:

Yes the cable looks good to me as it explicite says AES SPDIF cable, I did use regular cheap audio cables cinch to XLR and it worked always.
Sure the cable is connected to the red connector at the ADI-2 ?

Yep!

  • waedi
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Re: ADI-2 FS - SPDIF/AES issue

On the ADI-2 at the left side the first button analog-input-level, make sure this is set to DIG.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2024-11-15
  • Posts: 5

Re: ADI-2 FS - SPDIF/AES issue

waedi wrote:

On the ADI-2 at the left side the first button analog-input-level, make sure this is set to DIG.

That did it! Thank you so much! I should have thought about that...duh.

Thankfully I remembered to keep the MAIN volume in totalmix down or else it would have been very very loud when I pressed play! Haha.

I guess there's no way to control the totalmix main volume with any type of hardware knob synced to it is there?

Well either way thanks again so much for your help!

  • waedi
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Re: ADI-2 FS - SPDIF/AES issue

Of course there is a harware knob for totalmix !
It has the name ARC USB

https://www.rme-usa.com/files/uploads/RME-Products/Accessories/RME_ARC_USB_Top.png

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2024-11-15
  • Posts: 5

Re: ADI-2 FS - SPDIF/AES issue

waedi wrote:

Of course there is a harware knob for totalmix !
It has the name ARC USB

https://www.rme-usa.com/files/uploads/RME-Products/Accessories/RME_ARC_USB_Top.png

Oh great thank you!