Master/slave link

[Mikeeo]

My recollection is that in the early days (D-Premier) the master S/PDIF connection to the companion AES/EBU was the only way to operate dual mono. We then got to the stage where Devialet said that that connection was the preferred one; although perversely the default link on the configurator is S/PDIF to S/PDIF.

However, if one's configuration is of the former connection type, and is inevitably defined through the configurator, then this presumably includes the necessary transformer, as has already been documented by Thierry, so surely using the Audioprana and including a further balun (if that is a material thing) is either a waste of €260 or, even worse, a mistake.

Audioprana do not claim that this is a Devialet-compliant cable, merely "Câble de symétrisation sortie source rca/spdif 75 Ohms vers entrée AES/EBU 110 Ohms". Of course, one can try it, and there is a statutory right to return items within 7 days, which Audioprana perversely extends to 8 days but, in the context of something like this, that is a short period.

As this type of component connection is unique in the industry (as far as I know), I cannot imagine that Devialet got it wrong, and if they initially did it has surely been solved through the great flexibility and processing power which their components possess.

Ian,

As Devialet (Thierry) only has described, in a mail correspondence, that the signal handling is "proprietary" and not really what it does I am sceptic. Even if Dev mention that any 75 or 110 ohm cable could be used indicating the transformer in the dev AES/EBU input could sense 75 or 110 ohm signal and then adjust or something!?
Neutrik makes these kind of transformers, even if fixed 75 to 110 ohm or wise versa, so I do not hold it impossible that Dev has a solution. http://www.neutrik.com/en/accessories/ae...nsformers/

However I am inclined to think that the Audioprana solution could be valid. The AES/EBU input should normally comply to a 110 ohm signal or what would be the case if someone used it with a real 110 ohm connection ie output to input if not dedicated for 110 ohm and that Dev has a built in compromise set a side the possibility of auto detect/adjust the impedance?

Devialets solution for linking 2 units with a RCA-XLR set-up only follows the classic way of connecting RCA-XLR ie hot (signal) to pin 2 and then ground (return) to pin 1 and 3, but signal would still be 75 ohm in the case of connection 2 units as output from Dev is 75 ohm (or is it not for some reason?).

As I see it Dev may have their own solution in form of a transformer with auto detect conversion if it is 75 or 110 ohm or it is simply a compromise but due to the transformer it is still a more stable handling of the signal hence the better solution!?

If Dev has a proprietary solution I guess it is at least pat pending and the time gone since such invention would have been filed it should be in the public domain. So until Dev show anything on this matter I am sceptic.

Cheers/Mike