User manual LAVRY DA10

[. . . ] LavryBlack Series Model DA10 Digital to Analog Converter Lavry Engineering, Inc. Box 4602 Rolling Bay, WA 98061 http://lavryengineering. com email: techsupport@lavryengineering. com Rev 3. 6 March 31, 2010 LavryBlack DA10 Operation MODEL DA10 The LavryBlack DA10 features: Ultra low jitter modes. Optional 19 inch rack mount kit for two LavryBlack units side-by-side in 1U space. Rear Panel CONNECTIONS: CAUTION: Care must be taken when connecting the DA10 directly to the input of a power amplifier or powered monitors to avoid speaker damage. It is suggest that before making any connections, the DA10's Volume setting be reduced to a low value ("00" to "05"). [. . . ] The volume control consists of the numerical display under the VOLUME legend, and the up/down switch just to the right of the display. The volume can be controlled in 1 dB steps from full volume (56) to the lowest volume (01). Holding the up/down switch in either position will cause the Volume setting to change continuously until the switch is released or the setting reaches the end of the range. Please be certain to configure the outputs of the DA10 for the proper balanced or unbalanced setting to match the wiring and inputs of your system. DETERMINING THE CORRECT VOLUME SETTING FOR YOUR SYSTEM There are two ways the DA10 can be used to listen to digital audio sources through speakers: 1. ) Connect the main output of the DA10 to the input of a receiver or preamp, set the DA10 to a "fixed" level, and adjust the speaker volume using the volume control of the receiver or preamp. 4 LavryBlack DA10 Operation 2. ) Connect the main output of the DA10 directly to the input of a power amp or powered monitors and use the Volume control of the DA10 to adjust the speaker volume. PLEASE NOTE: When operating the DA10 connected directly to a power amp or powered monitors, it is important to reduce the VOLUME of the DA10 to a very low setting BEFORE turning the AC power of the power amp or monitors "ON!" Because the DA10 is capable of driving professional level balanced inputs as well as consumer level unbalanced (RCA) inputs, some care is needed when using the DA10 with unbalanced consumer HiFi equipment. Although exceeding the absolute maximum input level of the HiFi equipment is not likely to cause damage, it will reduce the quality of the listening experience. - The first time you use the DA10 feeding equipment with a volume control, it is recommended that you start with the DA10 at a very low VOLUME setting, and raise the volume on the preamp or receiver to a level you would use to listen to other inputs (Phono or FM radio, for example). Switch to the input that the DA10 is feeding, and raise the VOLUME setting of the DA10 until the acoustic volume is the same as other sources. Matching the acoustic level between sources will almost certainly mean you are not exceeding the input rating of your equipment!There is wide variation in the absolute maximum input level that HiFi equipment is capable of accepting without distortion. It is also recommended that you not exceed the absolute maximum level, even with music program that has large variations in level, because a loud peak could occur that would cause distortion. In most cases, lowering the volume setting on the DA10 will degrade the signal quality less than lowering the volume control on the receiver or preamp below a setting which is "normal" for other analog sources (Phono, FM broadcast, etc. ). The digitally controlled analog level circuitry of the DA10 degrades the signal less than typical "knob" potentiometer volume controls on consumer equipment, particularly at lower level settings. 5 LavryBlack DA10 Operation Volume Setting 56 50 --46 --01 00 XLR Balanced Operation 24dBu 18dBu --14dBu ---31dBu OFF XLR Unbalanced Operation 18dBu 12dBu --8dBu ---37dBu OFF Headphone Level 18dBu 12dBu --8dBu ---37dBu OFF AES/EBU professional analog line levels: Set to 56 for 24dBu balanced = 34. 72V peak to peak = 12. 28V rms Set to 56 for 18dBu un-balanced = 17. 36V peak to peak = 6. 14V rms A typical home power amp or powered speaker: Set to 40 for 8dBu balanced = 5. 6V peak to peak = 2V rms Set to 46 for 8dBu unbalanced = 5. 6V peak to peak = 2V rms Determining the Correct DA10 Volume Setting for other input ratingsUse the graph (below) to determine the proper maximum Volume control setting of the DA10 for other voltage values. For Volts rms or Volts p-p, find the voltage on the vertical scale on the right side of the graph and trace horizontally until it intersects the relevant curve (solid for rms, dotted for V peak to peak, balanced or unbalanced). At the point where the horizontal line intersects the curve, trace straight down to the scale on the bottom of the graph to find the closest DA10 Volume control setting that will be the maximum volume for your equipment's inputs. Pro users can use the vertical scale on the left edge of the graph for the same purpose using dBu units. For example: if you find 2 volts on the right scale, and trace horizontally until it intersects the dotted "Unbalanced Vrms" curve, then trace down to the bottom scale, it intersects at "46. " 6 LavryBlack DA10 Operation If you have difficulty determining the correct setting, please contact techsupport@lavryengineering. com once you have the manufacturer's ratings for your equipment. SETTING THE DA10'S INTERNAL JUMPERS The internal jumpers must be configured to match the wiring of the cables or adapters which will be plugged into the DA10's XLR outputs. If they are not set properly before the XLR outputs are connected to unbalanced wiring or inputs, no damage will result because the outputs are protected against "short circuits, " but the output signal will be significantly distorted at higher volume levels. It is therefore recommended that you open the DA10 and set the internal jumpers to the correct setting before using the DA10 with unbalanced output connections. If custom cables are an option, please also see section H- ALTERNATIVE WIRING FOR UNBALANCED CONNECTIONS Opening the DA10 to Set the Internal Jumpers1. ) If you have not plugged the DA10 in yet, it is a good idea to do so first. [. . . ] - Alternative 1: Use PIN 3 for the "Hot" signal conductor, connect PIN 2 to nothing, and connect Pin 1 as the signal's "low" conductor. For example, with coaxial cable Pin 3 would connect to the center conductor and Pin 1 would connect to the "shield. " - Alternative 2: Use PIN 2 for the "Hot" signal conductor, connect PIN 3 to nothing, and connect Pin 1 as the signal's "low" conductor. For example, with coaxial cable Pin 2 would connect to the center conductor and Pin 1 would connect to the "shield. " In either case, when shielded twisted pair cable is used, the shield can be connected together with the "low" signal conductor of the pair to Pin 1. 8 LavryBlack DA10 Specifications SPECIFICATIONS: THD+N at max volume (volume = 56) ­ typical, 0. 0008% FS, maximum 0. 0013% FS Test conditions: 20Hz ­ 20KHz, -3dBFS sine wave, 22-22KHz BW At all possible settings and switch combinations. Dynamic Range: -110dB typical, -109 dB minimum Test conditions: Non weighted At all possible settings and switch combinations. [. . . ]