I recently discovered a new headunit on the market that features a digital input. For those of you with S/PDIF on your Empegs this might interest you. It's an Eclipse CD8053 and at $549 costs about half of anything else I've seen with digital inputs. Appears to be a very capable unit and says it has digital out as well, although it may be in some proprietary format.

I've always found the analog aux ins on my current headunit Eclipse CD8051 to be a bit noisey, so I'd really like to switch to a digital connection. I might be getting one of the CD8053s next week. I'll report back on my experiences if I do get it.

Stu

Hi Stu,

Any luck on getting an Eclipse CD8053 and testing the S/PDIF connectivity? I've been reading this forum for a few weeks and am very interested in adding an Empeg to my CD8053's digital aux input.

I think I've already corresponded with you via the Eutronix.com web site. Are you per chance Stuart@Eutronix.com? If so, thanks for the speedy response on my recent query through your web site.

Thanks
JVB

Yep, same guy. You're welcome. Waiting for an insurance check to come through before I make the plunge.

Stu

I just bought a CD8053 Eclipse headunit and 16 volt balanced adapter. I'm going to let the installers put it in next week, so I'll let you know how it interfaces with the digital out on the Empeg.

Stu

This could be interesting, I might finally be able to use the balanced inputs on my soundstream amp, without any clunky adapters between the headunit and the amp!!!

Wonder if anyone wants to make a balanced out for the empeg?

Greg

If I'm not mistaken, balanced outputs usually originate from the differential outputs of the DAC in digital audio devices and I don't think the Empeg has them. It would be simpler just to send a digital signal from the Empeg to a balanced device as described above.

Stu

Okay, here is a follow-up. The balanced line adapter did not work right in the car. It actually added noise! Replacing it and the headunit did not help. So I returned the adapter and just use half of the outputs at 8 volts. Everything sounds great. No noise at all on the digital connection from the Empeg either. Truly enjoyable now! Highly recommended.

Stu