RME HDSPe AIO Pro

Overview

RME introduces the HDSPe AIO Pro PCI Express interface card, the successor of the popular HDSPe AIO. The Pro version provides professional users in the fields of studio and broadcast with the same high channel count as well as analogue/digital input and output variety of the HDSPe AIO. In terms of technical features RME has completely reworked the HDSPe AIO Pro, defining the current state-of-the-art in PCI Express cards.

Connectivity and Features

All inputs and outputs are simultaneously operational, even SPDIF (phono) and AES/EBU (XLR). Of course TotalMix, the unsurpassed flexible routing mixer and SteadyClock FS, RME's sensational clock technology with maximum jitter suppression of external clock signals, are on board too. HDSPe AIO Pro also supports the optional TCO for synchronization to timecode (LTC/video).

Award-Winning ADI-2 Series converters

The new HDSPe AIO Pro is based on the reference processors AK5572 and AK4490 derived from the high-end AD/DA converter ADI-2 Pro. The analogue input range also uses the circuit design of the ADI-2 Pro (+24 / +19 / +13 / +4 dBu).

In addition, RME has enhanced the outputs with additional reference levels (balanced: +24 / +19 / +13 / +4 dBu; unbalanced: +19 / +13 / +4 / -2 dBu) which allows even more versatile integration into audio systems. The HDSPe AIO Pro features a dedicated attenuator in the output section, resulting in an increased signal-to-noise ratio and a lower output impedance at low reference levels.

A further highlight of the HDSPe AIO Pro is the newly developed, powerful and extremely transparent headphone output. Thanks to mute relay including switchable output levels, there is no unwanted crackling noise at the headphone output and the analogue XLR and RCA outputs when switching on the computer.



SteadyClock FS - Reference class Digital Clocking

In digital audio, the clock frequency is an essential factor, as it creates the correlation between the audio bits and the time reference. Unfortunately, the clock frequency is not always as stable as desired.

The HDSPe AIO Pro offers full SteadyClock FS performance for lowest jitter and highest jitter immunity.

Excellent performance in all clock modes and High-Quality Analogue Conversion to hear your mix as it is. Digital format conversion in RME products are done without any loss or degradation, and SteadyClock FS ensures your sonic image will never experience degradation. This helps to optimize recordings and mixes because the soundstage has more depth and clarity.



Included Accessories

The RME HDSPe AIO Pro ships with the following breakout cables as standard;

• Analogue breakout cable, unbalanced (BO9632CMKHPro)


• Digital breakout cable, SPDIF (BO9632)

Optional Extras (sold separately)

The RME HDSPe AIO Pro can also be upgraded with the following breakout cables;

• Analogue breakout cable, balanced (BO9632XLRMKH)


• Digital breakout cable, AES/EBU & SPDIF (BO968)

Word Clock Module (WCM)

The RME Word Clock Module (WCM) provides a galvanically isolated word clock input and two word clock outputs (BNC connectors).

Both outputs have their own driver stages, providing an extremely low jitter signal. A push switch activates 75 Ohms termination for the hi-impedance input. SteadyClock, part of the PCI card, guarantees an excellent performance in all clock modes.

Its highly efficient jitter suppression refreshes and cleans up any clock signal, and provides it as reference clock at the two outputs.

Installation is done in a convenient manner using the supplied bracket. No PCI slot on the motherboard is required. The module is internally connected via a 10-pin connector and a flat ribbon cable to the PCI card. Thanks to several LEDs (power, termination, LOCK) and the highly integrated concept of installation, first operation and usage are simple even for the inexperienced user.

More information could be found in the HDSP 9632 WCM manual.

Analogue Inputs

RCA (Standard D-Sub Breakout cable)

• Input: Cinch (RCA), unbalanced
• Input impedance: 18 kOhm
• Input sensitivity switchable +24 dBu, +19 dBu, +13 dBu, +4 dBu @ 0 dBFS
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +19/24 dBu: 117 dB RMS unweighted, 120 dBA
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +13 dBu: 116 dB RMSu nweighted, 118 dBA
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +4 dBu: 112 dB RMSu nweighted, 114 dBA
• Frequency response @ 44,1 kHz, -0,1 dB: 7 Hz – 20.5 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0,5 dB: 3 Hz – 45,5 kHz
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 2 Hz – 92 kHz
• THD @ -1 dBFS: -114 dB, 0,0002 %
• THD+N @ -1 dBFS: -110 dB, 0,0003 %
• Channel separation: > 110 dB

XLR (optional D-Sub Breakout cable)
as RCA, except:

• Input: XLR, servo-balanced
• Input impedance balanced: 36 kOhm, unbalanced: 18 kOhm
• Signal to Noise ratio(SNR) @ +4 dBu: 116 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA

Analogue Outputs

RCA (Standard D-Sub Breakout cable)

• Output: Cinch (RCA), servo-balanced
• Output impedance+19/+13 dBu: 75 Ohm. +4/-2 dBu: 80 Ohm
• Output impedance switchable +19, +13 dBu, +4 dBu, -2 dBu @ 0 dBFS
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +19 dBu: 117 dB RMS unweighted, 119 dBA
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +13 dBu: 116 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +4 dBu: 114 dB RMS unweighted, 116 dBA
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ -2 dBu: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 112 dBA
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0,1 dB: 10 Hz – 20,2 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0,5 dB: 4 Hz – 44,6 kHz
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 3 Hz – 83 kHz
• THD @ 0 dBFS: < -107 dB, 0,0005 %
• THD+N @ 0 dBFS: -105 dB, 0,0006 %
• Channel separation: > 110 dB

XLR (optionales D-Sub Breakout cable)
as RCA, except:

• Output: XLR
• Output impedance +24/+19 dBu: 150 Ohm, +13/+4 dBu: 160 Ohm
• Output level switchable +24 dBu, +19 dBu, +13 dBu, +4 dBu @ 0 dBFS
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +24 dBu: 117 dB RMS unweighted, 119 dBA

Phones
as RCA, except:

• Output: Standard 6.3 mm / 1/4" TRS jack
• Output impedance: 0,1 Ohm
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +19 dBu (Hi-Power): 117 dB RMS unweighted, 119 dBA
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +7 dBu (Lo-Power): 113 dB RMSu unweighted, 115 dBA
• Output level at 0 dBFS, Hi-Power, Last 150 Ohm or higher: +19 dBu (10 V)
• Output level at 0 dBFS, Lo-Power, Last 16 Ohm or higher: +7 dBu (1,73 V)
• THD+N @ + 15 dBu, 32 Ohm Last, 590 mW: -97 dB, 0,0016 %
• Maximum impedance @ 0,1 % THD 32 Ohm: 730 mW per channel

Digital Inputs

AES/EBU

• 1 x XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0,3 Vss)
• SPDIF compatible (IEC 60958)
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format, copy protection will be ignored
• Lock Range: 28 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2,4 kHz)
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns

SPDIF

• 1 x RCA, transformer-balanced, according to IEC 60958
• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0,3 Vss)
• AES/EBU compatible (AES3-1992)
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format, copy protection will be ignored
• Lock Range: 28 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2,4 kHz)
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns

ADAT Optical

• 1 x TOSLINK, format according to Alesis specification
• Standard: 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
• Double Speed (S/MUX): 4 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
• Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 channels 24 bit 192 kHz
• Bitclock PLL ensures perfect synchronisation even in varispeed operation
• Lock range: 31.5 kHz – 50 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2,4 kHz)

Digital Outputs

AES/EBU

• 1 x XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
• Output level 4,0 Vss
• Format Professional according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4
• Single Wire mode, sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

SPDIF

• 1 x XLR,RCA, transformer-balanced, according to AES3-1992
• Output level4,0 Vss
• Format Professional according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4
• Single Wire mode, sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

ADAT

• 1 x TOSLINK, format according to Alesis specification
• Standard: 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
• Double Speed (S/MUX): 4 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
• Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 channels 24 bit 192 kHz

Digital

• Clocks: Intern, ADAT In, SPDIF In, Sync In, optional Word clock In / LTC
• Jitter suppression of external clocks: > 50 dB (2,4 kHz)
• Effective clock jitter influence on AD and DA conversion: near zero
• PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100 ns jitter
• Digital Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed ADAT operation
• Supported sample rates: 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

MIDI

• 1 x MIDI I/O via 5-pin DIN jacks
• Galvanically isolated by optocoupled input
• Hi-speed mode: Jitter and response time typically below 1 ms
• Separate 128 byte FIFOs for input and output