Digital outputs

RCA and TOSLINK connectors output two-channel digital audio in the S/PDIF format at any standard sample rate between 44.1kHz and 192kHz.  The RCA output can also output digital audio in the AES3 (AES/EBU) format using the RCA-XLR adapter supplied.  To do this, select 'AES3' instead of 'S/PDIF'  in the DO1/2 strip of the Outputs Setup tab of the Orpheus Control Panel applet.  This causes the carrier voltage to be increased to the AES3 level, and the Channel Status to adopt the professional AES3 format instead of the consumer format of S/PDIF.

The TOSLINK connector can alternatively output 8-channel digital audio in ADAT format (at 44.1kHz or 48kHz sample rates) or 4-channel audio in ADAT S/MUX format (at 88.2kHz or 96kHz sample rates).

Note that ADAT input and output is only possible when operating Orpheus in one of its specific ADAT-capable modes.  This is to reduce overhead on the host PC or Mac when ADAT input and output is not required.  For more information see the Unit Settings tab of the Orpheus Control Panel applet.

It is possible to perform sample-rate conversion and word-length reduction (dithering or noise-shaping to 16-bits) as described in the following sections.

In normal operation, the S/PDIF digital outputs are fed directly with individual signals from the host PC or Mac; however, it is possible to feed the outputs from local digital mixers within the Orpheus hardware if desired - this is described in the Output mixers section.

It is also possible to assign a level control to the S/PDIF outputs, primarily for use as a monitor volume control - this is described in the Assignable level control section below.

Activation of output mixers and assignment of the level control are all managed in the Outputs Setup tab of the Orpheus Control Panel applet.