On Wed, Jun 11, 2003 at 01:30:45PM +0530, Joshua N Pritikin wrote: > i'm new to pro-audio world and i need some advice about > how to setup a studio. > > i got my PC setup with an RME HDSP-9652 + SPDIF A/D D/A converter. > Ardour works great. i'm planning to purchase a FocusRite > OctoPre/ADAT and a bunch of microphones. > > i think i need speakers too. > > Is there anything like digital speakers or digital amps which > can accept ADAT directly from my linux box and turn it into > sound? Or do i need to convert ADAT to analogue and plug > that into a conventional amp/speaker system? You can get monitors that accept SPDIF, but your choice will be limited. If you get decent active monitors that take balanced analogue you wont have any noise problems. I patch my monitors through a (balanced) patchbay and even with the output turned right up I cant hear any noise. A 0dB signal at that level is unpleasent. - Steve