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

I have had problems with the s/pdif output on two separate MP-7s.  I 
haven't been able to get either to work and I also have no problems 
with any of my other s/pdif gear. I've tried plugging the MP-7 into 
various s/pdif ports with various cables, and since I've had the 
problem with 2 separate MP-7's, I'm assuming it's not a problem with 
the unit.  I have set it to s/pdif and not aes/ebu in the settings in 
the MP-7.  What I do get when I hook it up is a whole lot of digital 
noise.  I've tried synching word clock to the s/pdif port on the MP-7 
and I've also tried using a sample rate converter so that I don't 
have to sync to the MP-7's s/pdif port, but nothing seems to work.  
If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Glenn

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "clintfisher" <clint@f...> wrote:
> --- 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