Digital Out

[runway11]

Hey guys, wanted to ask for your opinions. My interface has an optical digital audio input and wanted to see what would be the drawback in using a converter (please see below) to change the cable format so it can fit the coaxial digital out of the AX8.

Amazon product ASIN B0002J2MV4
Any feedback?

 

[Guillaume Lortie]

what are the preamp on your interface?
the ax8 are a really good. I understand why you want to convert the signal but seriously I don't think it worth the trouble.
any balance cable will do as good I think

 

[bradlake]

No drawback as far as I can tell from having used a similar product in the same way. Nice to free up the analog outs if needed.

 

[runway11]

Yeah analog is perfect but I am just thinking that that might have some other applications... Can't digital out be used to get the dry digital signal and the outputs processed... like for reamping? Honestly I would do it just to free up my analogs but I haven't explored enough in the menus to see if it could be used like this. So far loving this thing!

 

[artzeal]

1. Be cautious: The unit pictured may only be 16bit: I'd want to see a 24 bit spec. Some of the inexpensive S/PDIF coax to optical or USB only support 16bit audio, at which point you are better off using the AX8 analog outs into a decent 24/48 AD converter.

2. AX8 manual p.3: " S/PDIF OUT – This outputs a digital copy of the Main Output."
Looks as if the AX8 can't give you a direct & a processed signal on S/PDIF; as the Main Outputs are stereo and can't go dual mono. You could split it with a DI ahead of the AX8 for reamping.