So Close to 10 analog ins! Signal integrity issues.

Nappylady

Computer #1 has an Audigy 1 card in it, which gives me 4 analog inputs (the line in on the back thru the Phillips ADC, and the CD or AUX in on the top, thru the normal AC97). It has 3 workable SPDIF inputs on the card--the CD SPDIF connector, and pins 6 and 15 on the AUD_EXT connector.

Nice little card.

These three SPDIF input pins are wired to RCA jacks on a slot cover on the back of the card. 3 working SPDIF inputs via RCA, on the back of the computer.

Computer #2 has 2 SB0220's, and one CT4830, all right next to each other. Each of them is set up to take their line-in port, convert it to SPDIF, and send it out the orange (yellow on the 4830) port on the back of the card.

So! I use my handy 1/8" -> RCA cables to connect the SPDIF outputs on computer #2, to the SPDIF inputs on computer #1. The results:

- If I only connect one SPDIF signal, then the same signal appears in two places, but one is strong and the other has frequent dropouts and issues. Crosstalk.

- If I connect two SPDIF signals, they both appear where they're supposed to. The third SPDIF input goes crazy trying to sync to the crosstalk between the other two.

- If I connect three SPDIF signals, then none of them work at all.

I think the weak link in the chain is the connection inside computer #1, going from the RCA jacks to the pins on the card. Does anyone (Travelrec? Stick?) have a better idea for making that connection?

Thanks.

dj_stick

make sure you're using well shielded cabls throughout the chain, as well as very solid solder joints.
also make sure that there is no sharing of ground wiring, bridging of pins anywhere (check solder joins especially)

try to use the shortest possible cables