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DCS Scarlatti DAC User Manual

Stereo digital to analogue converter
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dCS Scarlatti DAC
Stereo Digital to Analogue Converter

User Manual

Software Release 1.0x
June 2008
Price UK £8.00 / Euro 12.00
© Data Conversion Systems Ltd. 2007
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise)
1
without the prior written permission of dCS
. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this
publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice, and whilst it is checked for accuracy, no
liabilities can be accepted for errors.
1
dCS is Data Conversion Systems Ltd. Company registered in England No. 2072115.

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Summary of Contents for DCS Scarlatti DAC

  • Page 1: User Manual

    Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice, and whilst it is checked for accuracy, no liabilities can be accepted for errors. dCS is Data Conversion Systems Ltd. Company registered in England No. 2072115.
  • Page 2 Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 Page 2 Flename: Scarlatti DAC Manual v1_0x.doc English version...
  • Page 3 Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 ONTENTS   Contents ..............................3   Using the dCS Scarlatti DAC for the first time ..................4   What’s in the box?   Safety Notice   Mains Voltage Setting  ...

  • Page 4: What's In The Box

    Safety Notice Your dCS Scarlatti DAC contains no user serviceable parts. DO NOT attempt to open the case as there are potentially dangerous voltages present inside. In the event of the unit developing a fault, please contact your dealer in the first instance.

  • Page 5: Mains Regenerators

    50Hz or 60Hz ONLY. Damage caused to your Scarlatti DAC by misuse of a mains regenerator or by a malfunctioning mains regenerator is not covered by the warranty.

  • Page 6: Preliminaries

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 UIDE This section guides you through setting up the unit for basic operation. Preliminaries The Menu / Setup Guide sheet details the menu structure and details the two most common set-ups.

  • Page 7: Step 1 – Selecting A Digital Input

    Connecting to an IEEE 1394 DSD Source • Check that your source equipment (probably a dCS SACD Transport or a dCS Upsampler) is capable of DSD operation over a 1394 link, generates a 44.1kHz word clock and is set up correctly.

  • Page 8: Step 2 – Connecting The Analogue Outputs

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 STEP 2 – Connecting the Analogue Outputs Choose one of the following two sections: Using a preamplifier • Set the preamplifier volume control to minimum. • Connect either the balanced (XLR connectors) or unbalanced (RCA phono connectors) outputs on DAC rear panel to matching line level inputs on your preamplifier (probably labelled CD or AUX).

  • Page 9: Step 3 - Setting The Output Level

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 STEP 3 - Setting the Output Level If the preamplifier volume setting for a comfortable listening level is too high or too low, you may need to change the Output Level setting.

  • Page 10: Step 4 – Choosing A Sync Mode

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 STEP 4 – Choosing a Sync Mode So far, the system has been set up to lock to the clock generated by the source. If you are using the 1394 or SDIF interfaces, the DAC will lock to a word clock generated by the source. This is the simplest arrangement, but it does not give the best sonic performance due to clock jitter.

  • Page 11: Using A Master Clock

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 Using a Master Clock The performance can be improved further by adding a Scarlatti Clock to the system as shown below. Scarlatti Transport DIGITAL SDIF OUTPUTS IN ---- WORDCLOCK --- OUT...

  • Page 12: Front Panel

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 RONT ANEL POWER DISPLAY SYNC FILTER INPUT MUTE MENU S c a r la t t i A B C D E G H I Figure 4 – Front panel...

  • Page 13: Filter Button

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 FILTER Button Use the FILTER button (D) to select your preferred filter. This is a personal preference and is best done by ear. The choice of filter may depend on the type of music you are listening to.

  • Page 14: Mute Button

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 MUTE Button Use the MUTE button (G) to mute the analogue outputs. When the unit is muted (either manually or when not locked to a source) the LED over the button lights.

  • Page 15: Rear Panel

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 ANEL RCA 1 1394 50/60 Hz, 50W DSD/SDIF LEFT CH 1 CH 2 TOSLINK ANALOGUE OUTPUTS DIGITAL INPUTS SPDIF FUSE LEFT RIGHT AES 1 AES 2 T 500mA L RIGHT...

  • Page 16: Interface

    The IEEE 1394 interface (T) will accept encrypted DSD data from the Scarlatti Transport, as well as from other dCS transports and upsamplers that are loaded with current software. 1394 interfaces are great for carrying lots of digital data - but are very poor at transmitting a stable clock, so a separate Word Clock connection is required.

  • Page 17: The Menu

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 Press "Step >" to move along the Menu, press "< Step" to move back. MENU Press "Select" to set a menu option or change options. Unit Information Version Contact CDUpdate...

  • Page 18: Using The Menu

    Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 Using the Menu The menu gives the user access to a range of additional features. It also allows new features and performance enhancements to be added at a later date by software upgrades.
  • Page 19 Please have this information ready if you contact your dealer for any reason. Contact page displays dCS web-site URL, email address, telephone and fax numbers. If you have any difficulty, please contact your dealer for help first. DAC Information page displays the unit status: •...
  • Page 20 Scarlatti DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x June 2008 Menu DAC SETTINGS ↑ ↓ Changes the Phase of all analogue outputs from normal ( ) to phase reversed ( Apply De-Emphasis to equalise the frequency response of pre-emphasised data.
  • Page 21 MENU ← → buttons to stop the procedure. Please ensure that the volume level is reasonable, as careless use can damage your amplifiers and loudspeakers. dCS will not be liable for such damage. Page 21 Flename: Scarlatti DAC Manual v1_0x.doc...

  • Page 22: Specification

    5-bit, 2.822 or 3.07MS/s oversampled, dCS patented Ring DAC topology. Digital inputs IEEE 1394 interface on 2x 6-way connectors. The interface accepts dCS- encrypted DSD (1 bit data at 2.822MS/s) from up to 4 sources. 2x AES/EBU on 3-pin female XLR connectors. Each will accept up to 24 bit PCM at 32 -96kS/s, OR as a Dual AES pair at 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kS/s.

  • Page 23: Software Issue 1.0X June

    Spare fuses are provided with the unit. Cleaning the case The front and back panels of your dCS equipment are machined from very high grade aluminium. Great care has been taken to create the finish of the aluminium throughout the engineering process from the raw solid material to the finished piece.

  • Page 24: Limited Warranty

    issued.

  • Page 25: If You Need More Help

    A bound copy of this manual may be ordered from dCS. Software History dCS products make extensive use of software configurable chips – FPGAs and DSPs. This gives us the ability to update our products to add extra features, update digital interface standards or make performance improvements by loading new software.

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