Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, aeon <aeonlux@c...> wrote:
--snip---
> I am not experiencing it, nor are others on this list, so I'm 
thinking
> something is wrong with your cable, clock sync or method.

Actually, others on this list *are* experiencing this, which is why I 
decided to chime in.  I'm connecting the XL-7 to an Aardvark Q10 and 
have tried all clock sync methods available in the driver.

It's important to note that no other SPDIF gear I have has a problem 
connecting through my Hosa "digital" (SPDIF) cable to the Q10.  Units 
tried:  Apogee Mini-Me, CO2 (optical-spdif converter), C03 (higher-
quality optical-spdif converter).  All perform flawlessly.

Oh yes, I have tried different (and shorter) cables with the same 
results.

Others here have indicated a weak signal coming from the XL-7.  
Granted, I have not done anything *myself* to measure the actual 
SPDIF signal strength coming from the XL-7 versus my other devices, 
but this does concur with the behavior I am experiencing.

My next test will be to use a *very* short cable out to the CO-2 and 
hopefully use it as an amplifer in between my Q10 and the XL-7.

The bottom line is that other equipment works fine while the XL-7 
suffers.  I believe it to be a defective design or output circut.  
Others on this list have corroborated this.

The biggest reason for me wanting to use the SPDIF out, aside from 
the panacea of "perfect digital quality" is that the Q10 has ten 
input channels, 8 analog, and 2 digital via SPDIF.  This effectively 
frees up two analog channels for me, which is invaluable.

Any information anyone can offer on a way to *resolve* this issue 
would be most appreciated.  I'll try hardwiring the cable ground too.

-Clint