RME BO968 Digital Breakout Cable, AES/EBU and SPDIF

RME BO968 Digital Breakout Cable: AES/EBU and SPDIF for HDSP 9632

The RME BO968 is a genuine digital breakout cable that adds balanced AES/EBU and coaxial SPDIF input and output to compatible RME cards through a single 9-pin D-sub connector. It fans that header out to two XLR connectors for AES/EBU and two RCA connectors for coaxial SPDIF, giving a card two professional digital formats at once. RME designed it for the HDSP 9632, HDSPe 9632, and DIGI96/8 PRO and PAD cards, which route their digital I/O through a bracket header rather than dedicated jacks. Distinct from the SPDIF-only BO9632, this BO968 cable is the version that also carries balanced AES/EBU. For anyone completing or restoring one of those cards, it is the correct factory breakout.

Balanced AES/EBU on XLR

Two XLR connectors carry balanced AES/EBU digital audio, one input and one output, at the professional standard for stereo digital transfer. AES/EBU (the AES3 protocol) sends two channels of digital audio over a balanced 110-ohm XLR cable and is the format used between converters, consoles, and mastering gear. Breaking these ports out to XLR lets an HDSP 9632 or DIGI96 card connect to any AES/EBU device in the rack. The balanced connection resists interference, which is why AES/EBU is preferred for professional digital links.

Coaxial SPDIF on RCA

Two RCA connectors provide coaxial SPDIF input and output, a standard stereo digital format for consumer and semi-pro gear. SPDIF carries a two-channel digital stream over a single 75-ohm coaxial cable and is common on outboard converters, DACs, and disc players. Having both AES/EBU and SPDIF on one breakout means the host card can talk to professional and consumer digital gear without swapping cables. The coaxial RCA connection handles typical rack distances cleanly.

9-Pin D-Sub Host Connection

The cable originates in a 9-pin D-sub connector that mates with the digital header on the HDSP 9632, HDSPe 9632, and DIGI96/8 PRO and PAD cards. This header design is how RME exposes multiple digital formats from a single PCIe or PCI bracket. Because the pinout is specific to these cards, the BO968 is a matched OEM part rather than a generic adapter. Confirming the card model ensures the header and pinout line up correctly before installation.

Genuine RME BO968 Replacement

As a genuine RME accessory, the BO968 is the correct replacement when the original digital breakout is lost, damaged, or missing from a used card. Using the factory cable guarantees the AES/EBU and SPDIF signals map to the right pins, avoiding the silent wiring faults a substitute can cause. It is a servicing part for studios keeping HDSP 9632 and DIGI96 systems in operation. Keeping a spare ensures a card's full digital I/O can always be restored.