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AES/EBU XLR pinouts

I need to make up some AES/EBU XLR connectors to connect a PS Audio PWT to my Bryston DAC. But I cannot seem to find the pinouts from either Bryston or PS Audio's website.

A websearch yields some sources (forum responses) that say pins 2 (+) and 3 (-) are connected and pin 1 is left unconnected. The shield is connected to the XLR connector shell.

I am confused because some claim to be using these AES/EBU cables for their analog balanced XLR connections, which have the cable shield connected to pin 1, and the connector shell is left unconnected.

A third choice is to connect pin 1 to cable shield at the source end (PWT) and not connect it at the other (BDA-1).

So which is correct for digital AES/EBU?
dhl93449
Post removed 
dhl93449 OP
455 posts
 
An email response from engineering at PS Audio confirmed that pin 1 should be connected to the cable shield.

However, there are independent sources that suggest pin 1 be connected to the shield at one end of the cable only, the source end. This could prevent ground loops between the two chassis while still providing a grounded shield. If the receiving device is transformer coupled (and I think the Bryston is) this should work fine.

I think I'll build two cables, one with shield connections on both ends and one with it lifted at the D/A end and see if there is are any sonic differences.

I understand what you mean by standardized wiring practice. I just wanted to confirm that AES/EBU XLRs were wired exactly like analog XLRs. When I did a GOOGLE search for AES/EBU wiring I got a response on the (DYI Audio) forum where one author cited leaving pin 1 disconnected and use the connector body as ground. This is clearly not audio XLR standard practice. There is also some discussion that hot (pin 2) and cold (pin 3) are reversed in some older equipment. For balanced digital this does not matter, but would result in polarity inversion in analog audio connections.

extravaganza
373 posts
 
There is also some discussion that hot (pin 2) and cold (pin 3) are reversed in some older equipment
that is true,usually some japan stuff has such pin layout
Interesting thread.I bought such cable with neutrik plugs,Musical fidelity v-link192 with Aes/ebu out to connect to bryston bda1 dac.
I have question for you related with usb connection.Sometimes when computer is connected to bda1 in such manner I hear some cracking sounds going from left to right channels.Have you experienced something like that?May be it has somehow related with computers OS system
dhl93449 OP
455 posts
 
"I have question for you related with usb connection.Sometimes when computer is connected to bda1 in such manner I hear some cracking sounds going from left to right channels.Have you experienced something like that?May be it has somehow related with computers OS system"

Sorry, but I have not used the USB input on my BDA-1. I have read however, there can be numerous problems when steaming USB from a computer. That is why Bryston developed the BDP-1. It is a purpose built PC with a bare bones MB running Linux, no hard drives (only SS memory), and a special sound card.
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