Low end vs high end SPDIF, digital isn't digital?

[mrdosun]

Here is my setup. I use ASIO driver to play audio from my audio apps and output to SPDIF of my soundcard into a d/a converter into my monitors.

my original setup: Motu 2408 mk3 -> spdif to Apogee Rosetta 200 -> Adam 7

I upgraded my computer and decided I didn't want to use a PCI soundcard. I figured digital is digital and as long as the driver is good, it should be fine. So I bought an audiofire 2 from echo audio.

so now the setup is : Audiofile 2 -> spdif to apogee rosetta 200 -> adam 7

The sound is somewhat different. Less high end, less dynamics.

what could be the cause? The spdif should spit out exactly the same zeros and ones right???

Any insight is appreciated.

[tenchijin2]

First things first. You have to do a blind sample from each source and see if you really can tell the difference 10 out of 10 times with different material.

It could be that you've fooled yourself to hearing a difference that isn't there.

that's not an insult, anyone can have that happen.

[Zwinter]

Originally Posted by tenchijin2

First things first. You have to do a blind sample from each source and see if you really can tell the difference 10 out of 10 times with different material.

It could be that you've fooled yourself to hearing a difference that isn't there.

that's not an insult, anyone can have that happen.

Yes, but he really could be hearing something. See people assume that all digital components are created the same, I mean its digital right... However, there can be quality difference between units. For example, in unit A they may have used a $10 part for the optical I/O. In unit B, they couldn't fit it into the budget and instead went with a $5 part. The difference between these two parts is the more expensive part has an easier time recovering the clock of the optical signal. Because of the more stable clock being recovered the unit utilizing that more expensive part now sounds better.

I hope this helps.

[thenoiseflower]

what zach said.

[mrdosun]

So any suggestions for a good soundcard with spdif out which doesn't degrade the signal?

[Kiwiburger]

S/pid is very limiting (distance of cable, all the emi problems of unbalanced coax cable and number of channels generally only 2).

I can recommend a Lynx AES16 card. AES is basically s/pdif on professional balanced cables (differences in voltage and digital header data, but mostly the same). You can generally run s/pdif devices with a transformer adapter, so you have the best of both worlds. You could, for example, monitor a mix through your favorite DAC, while simultaneously running several digital reverb units using their s/pdif or AES i/o.

[DSMrehearsal]

forget the format, if your run is less than 3 meters there should be no noticeable difference your clock is to blame.

[AlexLakis]

Originally Posted by mrdosun

So any suggestions for a good soundcard with spdif out which doesn't degrade the signal?

How about the RME HDSP 96/52?

[garymusic]

The RME Hammerfall HDSP 9652 audio card is really REALLY good. Only bad thing is it is PCI and they have not released a PCIe version yet. But if you have a PCI slot on your computer you are set. There drivers are the best. You can go in SPDIF or ADAT into your Rosetta and back ADAT to record in your computer. Also, best if you can to use the clock in the Rosetta to power the card. Not sure what has a better clock the RME or Rosetta? I use a Big Ben in my studio.


Gary

[epp]

Even the spdif cable you use might make a difference, make sure it's a good one.