Audio Note DAC-2.1-X Owners manual

Congratulations and thank you for your purchase of an Audio Note™ DAC2.1x.

The DAC2.1x was specifically designed and engineered for the best sonic performance rather
than technical specifications. Although the DAC2.1x is a digital component (there is no
avoiding this unfortunately!), it will bring a new level of musicality to your CD’s and is fatigue
free during extended listening periods. In order to obtain the best possible performance from
your DAC, please read this manual carefully.

Technology - The DAC2.1x uses the revolutionary and currently exclusive Audio Note™
digital technology dubbed 1x oversampling™ direct from disc™ circuit topology. The
ultimate version of this technology is found in the extremely expensive DAC 5 Signature, and
we have taken great to ensure that as much of the inherent advantages of the topology have
been retained in the sound of the DAC2.1x. The technology in essence dispenses with all the
correction measures inherent in all other DA converters and presents the digital signal directly
to the converter after reformatting. This in turn allows you to hear what is actually recorded
on each CD. The end result being the reproduction is more reminiscent of master tape in
quality.

Not surprisingly for an Audio Note™ product, the DAC uses vacuum tube technology,
implemented using traditional Audio Note techniques, consisting of simple signal paths
incorporating no correction or feedback and operating the valves at their most linear operating
points for the best sound quality and longevity.

Unlike its smaller brother the DAC1.1x, the DAC2.1x uses the patented analogue transformer
coupled filter interface (US patent no. 5420585, UK patent no. 2270595, Australian patent no.

670611), which substantially improves the conversion from digital to analogue replay. Also
Audio Note copper wired Mumetal core Interface transformer and Audio Note AN-C Copper
wiring.

UNPACKING & INSTALLATION

Please take care when unpacking the DAC. We recommend that you store the packing
materials in case the unit requires shipping at a later date.
Next, select a suitable location for the unit, ensuring that adequate ventilation is provided (the
vacuum tubes do generate some amount of heat). In the interest of safe, reliable operation,
situate the DAC away from dampness or direct sunshine.
Worthwhile sonic improvements may be obtained by locating the unit on a suitably designed
audio component support system.

UPGRADING

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One of the biggest problems with Digital Audio is the short lifecycle of all a few products,
which is why we have made the DAC 2.1x upgradeable to DAC 2.1x Signature, DAC 3.1x,
DAC 3.1x Signature. In this way your basic investment is not devalued but remains secure for
many years to come.

CONNECTIONS – Digital

Two types of digital connections are provided on the rear of the unit, one a nominal 75 ohm
unbalanced RCA jack and the other a 110 ohm AES/EBU balanced XLR type connector
enables connection of the DAC to a CD transport or other digital sources. Select the digital
input you would like to use via the rear panel input selector switch.

Before making a connection, ensure that the Transport & DAC are turned off.

When selecting a suitable for digital use, we recommend Audio Note™ AN-A, AN-C copper
interconnects or AN-S or AN-V silver interconnects, in a 75cm* length. Two types of
interconnect cable geometry dominate, coaxial and twin-axial. Audio Note™ cables are of the
twin-axial type, and these may be purchased terminated with RCA plugs or XLR type plugs.

Plug one end of the cable into the RCA or XLR socket on the DAC (marked Digital Input)
and connect the other end of the cable to your CD transport (marked Digital Output)

Your dealer can advise on suitable type and quality of cable and give you a recommendation as
to which Audio Note™ cable is the best choice for you. (The best recommendation is Audio
Note™ silver cable).

* Try to use a digital cable of less than 1.5 metre in length. Ideal length is in our opinion

0.75metre.

CONNECTIONS - Analogue

One set of unbalanced analogue outputs are provided for connection to your preamplifier. Be
sure the preamplifier and amplifier are turned off before making the connections.

CONNECTION – Mains

The DAC has an IEC mains inlet socket, use the supplied mains cable to connect the unit to
the local mains supply. The mains fuse is situated inside the unit on the power supply PCB.

OPERATING THE DAC2.1x

Once all the connections are complete, turn on the CD transport. Next turn on the DAC by
using the rocker switch lo cated on the back panel above mains inlet socket. The red led on the
front panel confirms that the unit is on.

The DAC2.1x will improve over time and will start to sound increasingly well balanced. This
is because of the “bedding in” time taken by new electrical components inside the unit. Also,
the DAC’s sound quality improves as the unit reaches its normal, stable operating temperature.

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Only a rear panel on/off switch is provided as the unit is designed for continuous operation.
The DAC need not be switched off each time after use.
It is interesting to note that continuous operation not only results in optimum sonic
performance (since the unit is maintaining a constant operating temperature) but also causes
less electrical stress and so extends component and valve life.
All our DACs have been designed to run into impedances of 100kOhms or greater. Many
preamplifiers both active and passive have low input impedances. We do not recommend less
than 50kOhms as one of the problems is bass roll off. If you are in any doubt consult your
dealer. A modification can be made at the factory for which a charge is made and is refundable
should you buy an Audio Note amplifier.

AFTER CARE

No special maintenance is required for the DAC2.1x. Cleaning is best made with a soft cloth
or brush similar to those sold by photographic stores for lens cleaning applications.
Use a cloth dampened with mildly warm water and a weak soap solution for removing grease
or oily substances. Strong or alcohol based solvents may cause damage to the units finish.
Also, do not attempt to clean the unit while it is in operation.

TUBE REPLACEMENT

The valves used in the DAC2.1x is a common double triode type 6DJ8/ECC88, which should
provide a useful life span of about 5 years if the DAC is operated 24 hours per day, which is
the recommended operation and the one that sounds the best. There are many equivalents to
the 6DJ8/ECC88 so therefore refer to the next section.
Although replacement tubes for the DAC2.1x are fairly widely available, better performance
will be obtained with tubes selected and matched specifically for the DAC by Audio Note™.
Should the vacuum tubes require replacement, please contact your Audio Note™ dealer for
technical support.

EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT VALVES

As mentioned before the 6DJ8/ECC88 have a number of equivalents and were made by a large
number of manufacturers, they are now only made in Russia, China and Yugoslavia.

Equivalents include but not limited to:
7308, E88CC, 6922, E188CC, CV2493 (E88CC), CV5358 (ECC88), CV4110 (very low
noise E188CC0, CV4108, CV4109, CV4111 (all E188CC types).
These were made by GE, Sylvania, Philips/ECG, Mullard, Philips(Holland), Siemens,
Telefunken and many others.
The best type we have found is the Telefunken E88CC 01 gold pin, which are expensive, but
worth every penny.

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18 Bit 44.1/48/96KHz compatible multi Bit

WARRANTY AND SERVICING

Audio Note™ warrants this product free from defects in materials and workmanship for one
year from original date of purchase from an appointed Audio Note™ dealer. The vacuum
tubes are warranted for three months.
In the event that your Audio Note™ product requires servicing, please contact your Audio
Note™ dealer. If the component needs to be shipped, please use the original packaging
materials and include a copy of the purchase receipt with a note, explaining in as much detail
as possible the problems that you are experiencing with the unit.

Any modification not authorised by Audio Note will invalidate this warranty.

If you require technical support, new vacuum tubes or have any questions, please direct them
to your local Audio Note™ dealer or contact us directly.

Audio Note (UK) Limited,
25 Montefiore Road,
East Sussex, United Kingdom
BN3 1RD
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight 8 kilograms
Dimensions 145(h) x 300 (w) x 415 (d) (mm)
Fuse ratings 1000mA anti-surge (110/120v supply)

500mA anti-surge (220/240V supply)

Output impedance Less than 2K ohm
Reference output 3.0V RMS (approx.)
Channel balance +/- 0.5db
Tube compliment 2 x 6DJ8/ECC88 or equivelent
Digital system

converter chip, the 1xoversampling system will truncate the information at 20, 22 and 24Bits,
which is very much milder form of information loss than that introduced by traditional over
sampling and digital filtering etc.
Power consumption 20 Watts

Note: Due to Audio Note’s desire to continually improve its products, specifications are
subject to change without notice.

THIS PRODUCT COMPLIES WITH CE STANDARDS.

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