Antelope Zodiac Platinum DSD DAC User Manual
Contents
1. Safety Notes ............................................................................................................................. 2
2. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3
3. Zodiac Platinum Features ......................................................................................................... 4
4. Quick Start ................................................................................................................................. 5
5. Zodiac Platinum Front Panel Explained .................................................................................... 6
6. Zodiac Platinum Rear Panel Explained ..................................................................................... 8
7. Remote Control Unit .................................................................................................................... 9
8. Advanced User Tips ................................................................................................................... 9
8.1. Source input .............................................................................................................. 9
8.2. Changing USB mode and/or Headphone amplier impedance ................................ 10
8.3. Mute .......................................................................................................................... 11
8.4. Digital Audio Quality - factors and settings .............................................................. 11
8.5. I/O connections ........................................................................................................ 11
8.6. Ground Loop Hum and Noise ................................................................................... 11
9. Additional Information ............................................................................................................. 11
10. In the box .............................................................................................................................. 12
11. Zodiac Platinum Technical Specications ........................................................................... 12
Voltikus PSU ................................................................................................................................. 13
12. Voltikus Features ................................................................................................................... 14
13. Voltikus Front Panel Explained ............................................................................................. 14
14. Voltikus Rear Panel Explained .............................................................................................. 15
15. Replacing a Voltikus fuse ..................................................................................................... 15
16. Voltikus Technical Specications ......................................................................................... 16
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1. Safety Notes
To reduce the risk of electrical shocks, re, and related hazards:
● Do not remove screws, cover, or cabinet. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualied service personnel.
● Do not expose this device to rain, moisture or spillover of liquid of any kind.
● Should any form of liquid or a foreign object enter the device, do not use it. Switch off the
device and then unplug it from the power source. Do not operate the device again until the
foreign object is removed or the liquid has completely dried and its residues fully cleaned
up. If in doubt, please consult the manufacturer.
● Do not handle the power cables with wet hands!
● Avoid placing things on the cabinet or using the device in a narrow and poorly ventilated
place which could affect its operation or the operation of other closely located components.
● If anything goes wrong, turn off the device rst and then unplug the power. Do not attempt
to repair the device yourself. Consult authorized service personnel or your dealer.
● Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, stoves, or other apparatus (including
ampliers) that produce heat.
● Do not use harsh chemicals to clean your Unit. Clean only with specialized cleaners for
electronics equipment.
● Connect all your devices before powering your Unit.
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2. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Zodiac Platinum DSD256 D/A Converter & Voltikus Power Supply
from Antelope Audio.
Our constant strive to offer Antelope customers the newest and best technologies has resulted in
designing a completely new DAC architecture supported by the enhanced second generation of our
audiophile power supply.
An unmatched DSD256 D/A converter, utilizing Antelope’s 64-bit Oven Controlled Clocking
and precise Monitoring Control.
Zodiac Platinum DSD is designed to deliver bit perfect, transparent sound – digital audio that
doesn’t sacrice the warmth and fullness typically associated with analog gear.
The Custom designed USB controller chip streams data at 480 Mbits, allowing audio up to 384 kHz
with Antelope Audio’s ASIO driver for both Mac and PC. Dual-stage headphone driver architecture
delivers smooth sound at both high and low levels.
Plus the power that makes the difference:
Voltikus is a sleek heavy-duty Power Supply Unit (PSU) designed to perfectly match your Zodiac
Platinum DSD D/A Converter. Carefully tailored to deliver uncompromised power, Voltikus helps
Zodiac Platinum achieve the punch and sonic richness of deep lows, a full range of mids, and tightly
dened highs. This degree of performance is accomplished by incorporating a hefty, custom-wound,
electrostatically shielded toroidal transformer followed by a unique concept of three cascaded
power regulators. A precision laser-trimmed voltage reference (LT1021) serves as the backbone of
this discrete design, achieving the stability impossible with off-the-shelf voltage regulators.
For further information, you can also visit our support area online for the FAQ, Help Desk and to
register your product at: www.antelopeaudio.com.
Enjoy phenomenal sound quality with the new Zodiac Platinum!
All the best,
The Antelope Team
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3. Zodiac Platinum Features
● Up to 384 kHz sampling rate
● 10M / WC Input for Antelope’s Rubidium Atomic Reference Clock or any Antelope Audio
Master Clock
● DSD support including unique 256X Mode
● Switchable 64-bit 8X Linear Phase Upsampler
● Quad DAC Architecture for superb dynamic range
● Quiet stepped relay volume attenuator for precise stereo balance (matched to 0.05 dB)
● Antelope Oven Controlled Clock with Ultra Low Jitter
● Built in 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking provides jitter management for all digital inputs
● De-Jittered, re-clocked Digital Outputs: 1x AES/EBU and 2x S/PDIF
● Anti-thumping Speaker & Ear protection on power up & source change
● Stereo inputs: Balanced analog (1/4”), Unbalanced analog (RCA), Computer Data (USB), 2
optical Digital (TOSLINK), 2 coaxial - SPDIF (RCA) and AES/EBU
● Stereo analog outputs – balanced (XLR), unbalanced (RCA)
● Dual-stage headphone driver architecture for superior matching with professional
headphone coils
● Large shared volume control, switchable between analog outputs and headphone outputs
● Mute for both headphones and main output, including -12dB attenuation for headphones.
● Adjustable (120 Ω or 0 Ω) headphone output impedance
● Input select button easily toggles between inputs
● Unibody IR remote control with extended angle of reception
● PC/MAC software control panel
● Automatic internet-based rmware upgradeability
● Separate Audiophile Power Supply
● Meets FCC and CE requirements
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4. Quick Start
It only takes a few moments to harness the benets of the Zodiac Platinum Sound.
Follow these simple steps to connect Zodiac Platinum to your system setup:
1. Plug the supplied IEC power cable into the AC Input socket (33) on the rear panel of the
Voltikus unit and connect the other end to an AC power outlet.
2. Connect the DC power cable to the 18 VDC Output (35) on the rear panel of the Voltikus
and the other end to the 18 VDC input socket on your Zodiac Platinum Unit.
3. Press the power switch (32) on the rear panel of the Voltikus to power up. The power light
(30) on the front panel of the Voltikus illuminates to indicate that it is powered up.
4. The Ground/ Lift switch (34) provides the option of lifting your Voltikus PSU to make it
‘oating’ or keep it grounded.
5. Connect your choice of digital input(s) and analog outputs on the rear panel of the Zodiac
Platinum.
6. If you wish to use USB as the digital input, connect the Zodiac Platinum USB cable to your
computer.
Visit: http://antelopeaudio.com/en/support/downloads and download the Zodiac Platinum
driver appropriate to your operating system and follow the instructions for installation. The
guest operating system will recognize the new output audio device (Zodiac Platinum). You
should redirect sound from the computer to your newly indicated output – Zodiac Platinum.
Mac OS:
In your Apple Menu, go to System Preferences and choose Sound, select the Output tab
and select Zodiac Platinum from the list.
Windows:
Click on your PC’s Start menu, then select:
Settings / Control Panel / Sounds & Audio Devices / Audio and ensure that the Zodiac
Platinum is selected as default audio device.
Note: If selected as System Sound Output please turn off potentially intrusive system
sounds or alternatively select Zodiac Platinum as your output device in your preferred
music player.
See more on www.antelopeaudio.com – support area.
7. Turn the unit on with the power button (12).
8. Adjust the main volume/ headphones volume (7) to minimum
9. Press the Volume select button (9) to switch between headphones and main volume
function.
10. Play audio from your preferred digital or analog source.
11. Adjust the main volume/ headphones volume (7) to a comfortable level.
12. Using source button select desired rear panel input. The sample rate of the input (digital
inputs only) should be indicated in the status display (8), the Lock indicator (1) should light
steadily and audio should be present at the Zodiac’s main outputs or headphone outputs.
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5. Zodiac Platinum Front Panel Explained
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1. Lock light
When lit, this indicates Zodiac Platinum is locked to an incoming digital signal via rear panel
connectors (24), (25), (27). The light will ash if there is no valid digital signal. When using USB no
lock light will illuminate as Zodiac’s internal clock takes over.
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2. Atomic Lock light
When lit, this indicates that the Zodiac Platinum is being atomically referenced.
NOTE: 10M only references USB audio signals.
3. DSD light
When lit, this indicates that you are in DSD playback mode.
4. PCM light
When lit, this indicates that you are in PCM playback mode.
5. Word Clock light
Indicates the device is locked to the incoming Word Clock signal at rear panel BNC connector (23).
NOTE: Word Clock overrides the clock signal present in AES, S/PDIF and TOSLINK.
6. Mono light
When lit, this indicates the outputs are summed to mono.
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