Left and right XLR's are analog outputs, not digital outputs. Single XLR is usually AES/EBU digital output and input. S/PDIF coax digital output can be even better than AES/EBU. AES has one advantage and that is common mode noise rejection because it is differential signaling. The disadvantage of AES is that the XLR connector is not 110 ohms and good cables are more difficult to find and usually more expensive. S/PDIF coax digital can also be isolated using a pulse transformer. Steve N. Empirical Audio |
Left and right XLR's are analog outputs, not digital outputs.Steve, that's of course true in nearly all cases. But not in this one. First, the P-03 is just a transport, and does not provide analog outputs. Second, if you look closely at the rear panel photo shown in the "gallery" here you'll see that the two XLR connectors are identified as L and R respectively, and are within the panel area that is identified as "digital out." Finally, corresponding L and R digital inputs are provided on the D-03 DAC, which is linked to by the "system" button on the P-03 page and is described as "combining two identical monaural D/A converter components into a one-piece body." Regards, -- Al |
Look closer, George, after clicking on the rear panel photo to expand it. Just above the connectors, and just below the XLR1 and XLR2 markings, one connector is labelled "L" and the other is labelled "R." And likewise on the XLR digital inputs of the matching D-03 DAC. All of which makes sense given that the DAC is described as being two mono converters on a single chassis. Regards, -- Al |
almarg Had another look Al still don't see it, what I see 500 x zoom is CMJ and CLJ under the XLR1 and XLR2. I;ll see if I can get a manual somewhere. Cheers George |
Found this in a review, look like it has a single aes/ebu xlr, but also some dual xlr thing going on as you said for use on Esoteric dacs. " Want to play a Red Book CD? Take your choice of outputs. The P-03 will give you AES/EBU on an XLR connector, SPDIF on an RCA connector, Dual AES on dual XLR connectors, and iLINK (IEEE 1394 or “Firewire”) on its dedicated iLINK interface connector." Cheers George |
Hi George,Yep, that's the money shot my bad. Cheers George |
FWIW dCS offer a similar connection methodology -- dues AES/EBU (one for each channel) that can carry PCM or DSD. It’s a proprietary format and only compatible with other dCS DACs. However you can use a single AES/EBU to carry both channels instead if you prefer So in the case of a full dCS stack you take 16/44.1 PCM out of the Transport to the up-sampler on one AES/EBU and then use a pair of AES/EBU from the up-sampler to the DAC to carry your choice of higher rate PCM or DSD. At the same time the transport gives you another pair of AES/EBU to carry the signal from any SACDs you may have. I’d hope the Esoteric set-up is similar and you can configure the dual AES/EBU output to carry both channels on one. This would also explain why SACD is not available on a single AES/EBU - the Esoteric is the same as the dCS in this regard. Single AES/EBU is limited to 16/44.1 only. |
folkfreak I’d hope the Esoteric set-up is similar and you can configure the dual AES/EBU output to carry both channels on one.Well this reads that way, that the reviewer put forth on the P-03. " The P-03 will give you choice of outputs AES/EBU on an XLR connector, SPDIF on an RCA connector. Dual AES on dual XLR connectors " " AES/EBU on an XLR connector" sounds like a xlr single to me? "Dual AES on dual XLR connectors " for their own dac, which may have duals as Al said. Cheers George |
Agreed @georgehifi provided you can live with 16/44.1 you are set. My personal experience with my dCS stack is that dual AES/EBU is the way to go if you can manage it -- much superior to the prior best connection dCS offered which was via FireWire. The rough stacking order (assume we're transmitting 16/44.1 only) in my experience is - Worst: SPDIF - Better: Single AES/EBU - Better Still: FireWire - Best: Dual AES/EBU |
I used to like DVD-A as well, but lacking a suitable transport sold off all my discs (at quite high prices) last year Personally with the dCS stack I actually upsample 16/44.1 to DSDx2 -- to my mind that combination works best with the filters available ... high sample rate PCM seems over detailed and loses some of the intimacy and life in the recording If you can and your kit supports it (as Esoteric does) you should look into an external master clock -- my experience here https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/benefits-of-adding-a-10mhz-master-clock-to-a-digital-system |
