Audio Input Connections - Parasound Zdac v.2 Owner's Manual

Connecting your Zdac v.2
Always disconnect the AC cords to your Zdac v.2 and preamplifier or amplifier before plugging
in or unplugging its audio output jacks. Inserting or removing an output cable while the preamp or
power amp are turned on can result in a blast of sound that can damage your loudspeakers. Make
sure there is no strain or tension on any cables that could cause them to pull loose.

Audio Input Connections

Opt (Optical)
The optical input is a Toslink receiver. It is compatible with any Toslink-equipped digital source
component. The Zdac v.2 optical input accepts these standard sampling rates: 8 kHz, 11.025 kHz, 16
kHz, 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz. It accepts 16 bit and 24 bit
word lengths.
Note: 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz require a very short optical cable. Be careful when handling the optical
cable. It has limited flexibility and it cannot be bent at a sharp angle without impairing its ability to
transfer the digital signal from your source to the Zdac v.2.
Coax (Coaxial)
The Coax input connector is an RCA jack, also called S/PDIF. It is compatible with any S/PDIF coaxial
digital output. The coaxial input accepts these standard sampling rates: 8 kHz, 11.025 kHz, 16 kHz, 32
kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176 kHz & 192 kHz. It accepts16 bit and 24 bit word lengths.
Note: Please use a 75 ohm digital interconnect cable. Standard audio and video interconnect
cables do not have the correct 75 ohms impedance and impedance mismatches compromise digital
transmission by causing high amounts of jitter. While the Zdac v.2 is virtually immune to jitter, we
recommend that you do not introduce compromises into the digital signal chain.
USB – PC, Mac or Linux
The USB connector is a USB type B. The USB accepts sampling rates of 44.1 kHz, 48kHz, 88.2 kHz
and 96 kHz. It accepts 16 bit and 24 bit word lengths. The Zdac v.2 uses the USB 1.1 Audio standard
which allows use of 9' (3 m) cables without any performance penalty. See page 10 for more details.
®
USB – Apple Lightning Connector
®
The Apple "Lightning to USB Camera Adapter" allows a direct digital audio connection between your
Zdac v.2 and Lighting equipped Apple
Adapter" can be purchased separately through your Apple
To use, simply plug the "Lightning to USB Camera Adapter" into your Apple
standard USB cable included with your Zdac v.2 to connect the adapter to the USB input of your Zdac
v.2. Select the USB input on the Zdac v.2 and start playing music on your Apple
®
product (phone, tablet, iPod
®
store.
6
®
). The "Lightning to USB Camera
®
product and then use the
®
device.