Design Challenges
The AES3 protocol is widely used for audio transport, enabling PCM-encoded samples to achieve 24-bit/192kHz stereo over a single cable. Everything hinges on the ability to detect and decode a frame, where the clock is integrated into the signal itself.
If the frame is lost due to dection issues between the digital source and DAC, the DAC has to make a decision, blank the frame or make a guess based upon historical frames.
There is no chance of retransmittal; a resync of the data stream is required, affecting the audio stream precision and degrading the listening experience.