[linux-audio-user] External DAC for mastering use?

[Anahata]

On Tue, Mar 23, 2004 at 02:03:34PM +0000, Steve Harris wrote:
> On Tue, Mar 23, 2004 at 11:39:00 +0000, Anahata wrote:
> > I'm also interested in the possibility of feeding S/PDIF over structured
> > cabling using CAT 5 cable. Has any one tried this? I wonder how far it
> > would go with suitable impedance conversion. 50/75 ohm transformers
> > would also give electrical isolation.
> 
> I'd be interested if you find anything - I've seen a few balanced analogue
> <-> CAT5 boxes (I guess doing AD/DA?)i

I think they send analogue audio. It's balanced so should be reasonably
clean. Wasn't someone on this list asking recently about sending audio
and LAN data over a CAT5 bundle recently?

I have found out that CAT5 is 100 ohm +/- 15%, so quite close to
AES/EBU.

The advantage of CAT5 for structured cabling is that it's multi purpose. 
Typically you wire your building with cables and patch panels, then
decide what you're going to use them for. Apart from LAN usage, the
cable adapts easily to voice, RS232 (or better, RS485), and audio and video 
uses are popular. If you change your installations, hopefully you don't
have to put in new wiring.

My current interest is in runing a bundle of CAT5 to an outbuilding from
the house. It could get used for networking, a telephone extension,
audio, intercom etc. and I idly wondered if S/PDIF could be added to the
list of applications.

> FWIW you can get optical boosters that will send Toslink signals over 30m
> or so, but optical cable is no easier than S/PDIF coax to run.

I noticed that too. I like TOSlink for going from my MD to the PC
because of the electrical isolation, but it's not the best for long 
distances.

-- 
Anahata
anahata at treewind.co.uk       Tel: 01638 720444
http://www.treewind.co.uk    Mob: 07976 263827