Proper Vivaldi settings for single AES connection

I’ve been using USB almost exclusively with my Vivaldi APEX, after I sold my Upsampler Plus. However, I am evaluating a new music streamer that has the option of using single AES. However when I do connect to AES 1 (or AES3) all I am getting is the flag “Non Audio” which never clears, even though I am sending a valid digital music stream.

Could someone confirm for me what the proper settings in the Vivaldi set up menu I should be using? When I used AES3+AES4 between DAC and Upsampler I had a green check mark showing for AES3+AES4. The other two possible settings for AES3+AES4 are either “A” or “X” when I toggle through the settings.

I’ve tried all three settings (green check mark, A and X) but the Non Audio flag never clears.

Thanks in advance,

Steve Z

Steve, depending on which AES input you want to use (any of the 4 works, not just 1 or 3), it’s associated “Dual AES” setting should be disabled. You also want to set the Sync mode to “Audio”, and select the right input of course. No other settings necessary to get it working.

Yes, in fact unless I am very much mistaken it shouldn’t matter what setting you have for dual AES as that only affects whether dual AES is available and if so how it is selected, none of the settings actually disable single AES:

  • ✘ Off. Disables dual AES, single AES only
  • :heavy_check_mark:︎ On. Lets you select manually between dual and single using the Input selector/remote
  • A Auto. Selects dual/single automatically depending on the format flags in the actual data

So I don’t think there is any setting on the Vivaldi that could cause the “Non Audio” error with single AES data. The only explanation I can come up with is that there is some problem with the AES data being sent from your new streamer. You don’t have anything else with an AES 3 input you could connect it to just to test?

Thank you, guys. You have confirmed what I was beginning to suspect, that there may be a problem with either the new cable I’m using or the streamer AES output. Or, and I don’t think it’s likely given that I was able to use dual AES without issue, a problem with the Vivaldi.

Later today I will try AES again after confirming the set up (again) with the streamer, as well as a different AES cable.

I appreciate your time and assistance in replying.

Steve Z

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Hi Steve,

There are a number of flags that are embedded in an AES data steam - some relate to the overall channel statuses and some relate to the individual samples.

One of the channel status flags is called “NonAudio” and if that flag is set then that is the source device saying “This data is not audio data and is unsuitable for conversion to audio” so if that flag is set in the AES data stream then the Vivaldi DAC will do exactly that, not convert it to audio and flag up “Non Audio”…

So your output from your streamer is working, the input to your Vivaldi DAC is working but the “audio” being output from your streamer via AES looks like it has the “NonAudio” flag set.

I hope that helps you direct your query with the streamer manufacturer…

Phil

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Thank you, Phil. The weird part is that SFDIF (RCA) from the same output card in my streamer is working fine with Vivaldi.

Thanks!

Steve Z

Just FYI…

I’m not sure why the AES output would have the flag set but the S/PDIF wouldn’t…

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Thank you, Phil. Later this afternoon I will try a different AES cable and see what happens. I have contacted the streamer manufacturer but have not received a reply as of this time.

Steve Z