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AES/EBU XLR pinouts

I need to make up some AES/EBU XLR connectors to connect a PS Audio PWT to my Bryston DAC. But I cannot seem to find the pinouts from either Bryston or PS Audio's website.

A websearch yields some sources (forum responses) that say pins 2 (+) and 3 (-) are connected and pin 1 is left unconnected. The shield is connected to the XLR connector shell.

I am confused because some claim to be using these AES/EBU cables for their analog balanced XLR connections, which have the cable shield connected to pin 1, and the connector shell is left unconnected.

A third choice is to connect pin 1 to cable shield at the source end (PWT) and not connect it at the other (BDA-1).

So which is correct for digital AES/EBU?
dhl93449

Showing 2 responses by extravaganza

extravaganza
373 posts
 
There is also some discussion that hot (pin 2) and cold (pin 3) are reversed in some older equipment
that is true,usually some japan stuff has such pin layout
Interesting thread.I bought such cable with neutrik plugs,Musical fidelity v-link192 with Aes/ebu out to connect to bryston bda1 dac.
I have question for you related with usb connection.Sometimes when computer is connected to bda1 in such manner I hear some cracking sounds going from left to right channels.Have you experienced something like that?May be it has somehow related with computers OS system
extravaganza
373 posts
 
First version of the cable had the shield drain wire connected to pin 1 at BOTH ends of the cable, as in standard analog practice.

I made described version with van damme digi grade aes/ebu cable with neutrik xlr plugs gold plated pins and run it from musical fidelity v-link 192 which is connected to computer via usb.First impressions are:improved high freuqencies,overall sound sounds like some trash,clicking noises has been removed from the sound .
I see that many people state coax cable sound the best with bda1
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