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DAC-100 & DAC-100t
USB Digital to Analog Converters
OWNER’S MANUAL
NOTE: Before installing your new component, please read this manual
carefully as it will inform you of the product specications, proper
installation and correct operating procedures for your unit. Also included
in this manual are guidelines on how to service and care for your new
Cary Audio Design product.
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TABLE OF C ONT ENTS
Important Safety Instructions ............................................................................................................3
Welcome
Thank You ..........................................................................................................................................5
Specifications
Basic Specifications..............................................................................................................................6
Features
Product Features .................................................................................................................................7
Controls and Displays
Front Panel .........................................................................................................................................8
Rear Panel ..........................................................................................................................................9
Installation
Unpacking ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Warranty Card .................................................................................................................................. 10
Placement ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Operation
AC Power Requirments....................................................................................................................... 11
Source Inputs ................................................................................................................................... 11
Analog Outputs ................................................................................................................................. 11
Power On/Off Switch ......................................................................................................................... 11
Input Sources ................................................................................................................................... 11
Phase ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Sample Rate ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Break In Period ................................................................................................................................. 12
Connecting To Your Computer ............................................................................................................ 12
Computer Audio – USB, Mac & PC ....................................................................................................... 12
Macintosh – USB ...............................................................................................................................
Macintosh – Optical ........................................................................................................................... 13
Macintosh – Audio MIDI Setup ............................................................................................................ 13
PC Connections ................................................................................................................................. 13
Selecting Additional Coaxial or Toslink Digital Sources ........................................................................... 14
13
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TABLE OF C ONT ENTS
Service and Care
Care and Cleaning ............................................................................................................................. 15
AC Power
Factory Service.................................................................................................................................. 15
Non-Warranty Repairs ........................................................................................................................ 15
Tube Replacement............................................................................................................................. 16
Limited Warranty ............................................................................................................................... 17
Fuse Replacement............................................................................................................... 15
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
3
WARNING: The triangle with the lightning flash symbol
displayed on the unit advises the user of dangerous uninsulated voltage inside the product’s enclosure.
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not
remove the cover. There are no user-serviceable parts
inside; it is recommended that only qualified personnel
service this component.
ALERT: The triangle with the exclamation point symbol on the component suggests that the owner refer to important
operating and maintenance instructions in the owner’s manual.
1. OWNER’S MANUAL: Before powering up the equipment, read all safety and operating instructions and follow them as
instructed. Retain the safety and operating instructions for future reference.
2. ATTACHMENTS: Use only those attachments recommended by the unit manufacturer, as others may cause hazards.
3. ACCESSORIES: Do not place the unit on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The unit may fall, causing
injury to a person or d amage to the unit. Mount the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions with the
suggested mounting accessory.
4. WALL OR CEILING MOUNTING: Mount the unit to a wall or ceiling only in the manner recommended by the
manufacturer.
5. WATER AND MOISTURE: Do not use the unit near water (for example, near a swimming pool, bath tub, wash bowl,
kitchen sink, or laundry tub) o r i n a damp environment (like a basement or outside in the rain).
6. OBJECT AND LIQUID ENTRY: Do not push objects of any kind into the unit throug h openings as they could touch
dangerous voltage points and short-out parts, possibly resulting in a fire or electric shock. Avoid spilling liquid of any
kind on the unit. If water or a ny metal object (such as a paper clip, coin, or staple) accidentally falls inside the unit,
disconnect it from the AC power source immediately and contact Cary Audio Design for further instructions.
7. HEAT: Position the unit away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other units (including
amplifiers) that produce heat.
8. VENTILATION: Slots and openings in the cabinet create ventilation to protect the component from overheating. These
openings on the top and bottom panels must remain unobstructed. Allow at least 6 inches (16cm) of clearance above
the unit and an opening behind the unit for airflow. Do not place the unit on a bed, sofa, rug, built- in bookcase, or
rack without adequate ventilation.
9. GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION: As a safety feature, the unit may be equipped with a polarized alternating
current line plug in which one blade is wider than the other. This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way . If you
cannot insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug still will not fit, contact a licensed
electrician to update your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.
10. POWER SOURCES: Operate the unit only from the power source indicated on the marking label. If you are unsure of
the type of power supplied to your home, consult your unit dealer or local power company.
11. POWER CORD PROTECTION: Arrange power supply cords so that they do not suffer from foot traffic or pinching by
items placed on or against them. Pay close attention to cords w he re plug enter the AC outlet and where they exit from
the unit.
12. LIGHTNING: For added protection during a lightning storm or when the component is idle for long periods of time,
unplug the unit from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will help protect the unit from
lightning and power line surge damage.
13. POWER LINES: Do not locate an outside antenna system in the vicinity of overhead power lines or other electric light
or power circuits . When installing an outside antenna system, take extreme care to avoid touching the power lines or
circuits; contact with them could be fatal.
14. OVERLOADING: Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles as this increases
the risk of fire or electric shock.
15. REPLACEMENT PARTS: When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used
replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or those having the same characteristics as the original parts.
Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.
16. SAFETY CHECK: Upon completion of any service or repairs to the unit, ask the service technician to perform
safety checks to ensure the unit is in proper operating condition.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
4
17. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:
18. RECORDING COPYRIGHT: Recording of copyrighted material for other than personal use is illegal without
19. NOTE TO CATV SYSTEM INSTALLER: This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer's attention to
20. FCC INFORMATION FOR USER:
21. OUTDOOR ANTENNA INSTALLATION/SAFE ANTENNA AND CABLE CONNECTION:
• Before connecting a new product such as the Cinema 12 to your audio or home theater system, turn off all
other equipment (preferably unplugging them from the AC power source). Many audio components feature
automatic turn-on circuits that may activate during an installation, potentially causing damage to electronic
components and/or speakers. This type of damage is not covered by product warranties, and Cary Audio
specifically disclaims responsibility for any such damage.
• Power Cord: The removable power cord provided with your unit was specifically designed
for use with this product, but other AC cords may be used. Consult your dealer for advice
on AC power cords and high quality wire in your system.
• AC Fuse: The fuse is located inside the chassis and is not user serviceable. If the unit does not power up,
contact an authorized service representative
• Wiring: Cables running inside walls should have the appropriate markings to indicate compliance and listing
by the UL, CSA or other standards required by the UL, CSA, NEC or your local building code. Questions
about cables inside of walls should be referred to a qualified custom installer, a licensed electrician, or lowvoltage contractor.
permission of the copyright holder.
article 820-40 of the NEC, ANSI/NFPA 70, which provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular,
specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of
cable entry as practical.
• CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Cary
Audio Design could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
• NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
• These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used
in accordance with the instructions it may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or televisio n reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from where the receiver is connected.
• If an outside antenna or cable system is connected to the
equipment, be sure the antenna or cable system is grounded in
order to provide protection against built-up static charges and
voltage surges. Article 810 of the National Electrical Code,
ANSI/NFPA 70 (in Canada, Part 1 of the Canadian Electrical
Code) provides information regarding proper grounding of the
mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to
an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors,
location of antenna discharge unit, connection to grounding
electrodes and requirements for the grounding electrode.
• Outside antenna system should be located well away from
power lines, electric light or power circuits and where it will
never come into contact with these power sources if it should
happen to fall. When installing an outside antenna, extreme
care should be taken to avoid touching power lines, circuits or
other power sources as this could be fatal. Because of the hazards involved, antenna installation should be
left to a professional.
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WELCOME
5
THANK YOU
Congratulations on becoming a Cary Audio owner!
We, at Cary Audio, would like to thank you for purchasing our products.
Since its founding in 1989, Cary Audio has stayed at the forefront of home entertainment
equipment by stubbornly adhering to the principles of quality and musicality upon which it was
founded. It’s not enough just to be able to build great sounding gear, but it needs to be wellmade, reliable, and maintain its performance and value for many years. Cary Audio has certain
criteria that have guided us since we began, and are still our primary focus.
We firmly believe in high performance products that offer incredible value for the money, backed
by superior eng in eer ing and design, and supported by except ion al c u st o m er ser v ice. Whether a
headphon e am plifier or a world -class surround sound processor, Cary A u d io u ses the highest
quality components available within the audio circuit, resulting in extraordinary sound quality. This
is a well-known hallmark of all Cary Audio products.
As Cary Audio appr oach es a q u ar t er -cen t u r y of pr o v id ing the best in sophisticated music systems,
we remain committed to our goals of build in g the v er y b est products, at real-world prices, and
supporting them with world-class service. Let our p assion for the very finest sound and picture
quality help you better enjoy your music and movies! Thank you for your continued support!
The Cary Audio Team
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SPECIFICATIONS
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The following section describes the DAC-100 and DAC-100t’s basic specifications. The
specifications are subject to change without notice or oblig a t io n .
BASIC SPECIFIC ATIONS
................................................................................................................................................
USB Processor XMOS Asynchronous processing
................................................................................................................................................
SP/DIF Input Receiver Wolfson model #WM 8805
................................................................................................................................................
Digital to Analog Converters 2 X ESS Sabre ES9023
................................................................................................................................................
Digital Inputs 5 selectable inpu ts – (2) coaxial (gold plated), (2) Toslink,
(1) USB
................................................................................................................................................
Analog Output RCA analog output (gold plated)
XLR Balanced
................................................................................................................................................
Input Sample Rates Accepted* 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
................................................................................................................................................
Bit Depths Accepted 16 - 24 bit, LPCM 2-ch au d io stream
................................................................................................................................................
Power Transformer Toroidal transformer (Digital Su pply)
Toroidal transforme r (Analog S upply)
................................................................................................................................................
Dynamic Range 112dB
................................................................................................................................................
Signal to Noise Ratio 109dB
................................................................................................................................................
Noise and Hum -101 dB below rated output
................................................................................................................................................
Audio Output Level 2.0V RMS
................................................................................................................................................
Frequency Response 20Hz – 22kHz
................................................................................................................................................
AC Power Requirements 120 VAC @ 50/60 Hz
240 VAC @ 50/60 Hz
................................................................................................................................................
Tube Compliment 2 – 6922 tubes
(DAC-100t)
................................................................................................................................................
Dimensions 15.5” L X 17.25” W X 3.5” H
................................................................................................................................................
Weight 21 lbs.
................................................................................................................................................
*To achieve higher then 96kHz over Toslink requires that the Toslink transmitter of the digital source and Toslink cable both
be compatible and capable of outputting greater than 96kHz. Many times, this is not the case. Please check with your digital
source and Toslink cable documentation.
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FEATURES
7
The following section describes the DAC-100 and DAC-100t’s basic features. The features are
subject to change without notice or obligation.
PRODUCT FEATURES
The Cary Audio DAC-100 & DAC-100t are made in the USA and desig n ed to provide high-quality
music reproduction from today’s digital sources. All digital audio information needs to be turned
back into analog t o be handled by the amplifier an d speakers/headp h on es so w e can listen to it.
Whether from a co mputer, handh eld music p lay ers, cable or satellite boxes, disc players, or
streaming from cloud-based storage, digit a l d at a streams suffer from distortions caused b y jitter
(timing err or s in processing t h e digital information) and the poor qua lit y of built-in d igital
converters. An outboard d igit al to analog con verter (DAC) is th e solution t o t hese pr ob lems.
The heart of the DAC-100 and DAC-100t are two high current c u st o m built toroidal transform er s,
one each for the digital and analog sections of the unit. We, at Cary Audio, understand the
importance of a g o od power supply and have spared n o ex p en se in d esigning transfor m ers that
perform above their normal requirements. The separate analog transformer has a Faraday shield
to reduce noise, and the audio circuit s ar e d esigned to drive a wid e v ar iet y of impedances to better
match other assoc iat ed equipment.
The audio output section, responsible for providing the actual musical signals, is based on proven
Cary Audio designs for the best sound quality. The DAC-100 aud io o u t put uses high speed
monolith buffers operated with non-global feedback to ensure optimum sound quality. The DAC100t audio section con sists of two (2) 6922 tu b es o p er ated in a non-global feedback configuration.
In both cases, the au dio section is fed with it s ow n d iscr eet low noise power supp ly.
The digital bitstream is handled by a new front end designed in conjunction with one of the
industry’ s ack n o wled ged digital leaders. A Wo lfson WM8805 chipset is u sed as the input receiver
for the four (4) (2-coaxial and 2-Toslink) SPDIF digital audio inputs, as chosen by many of the
finest DACs in the world. The USB input uses XMOS processing for asynchronous processing of
USB computer based music, stripping away the computer’s timing and replacing it with a much
more accurate mast er cloc k f or a mo r e st able bitstream. I t is able to handle mult ip le 24 b it / 192k H z
channels with ext r emely low latency, all at 500 M IPS.
Once the dig ital bitstream is m an a g e d it is sent t o the digital to ana log conversion sec tion,
comprised of tw o (2) ES S S a b r e ES9023 24/192 DAC chipsets. Th ese circ uits accurately recreate
the analog musical sign als and send th em to the buffered solid st ate (DAC-100) or vacuum t u be
(DAC-100t) analog ou tput stages, and then out to the gold-plated RCA or XLR balanced outputs.
All of these processes are designed to h av e n o c om promises in sound qu ality , an d provide the very
best musical r eproduction in its price class.
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CONTROLS AN D DISPLAYS
8
FRONT PANEL
1. POWER
• Press once to turn the power ON. The power indica t o r w ill blink for t h ir ty (30) seconds
and then stay on, at which point the unit is ready to operate.
• Press again to turn the power OFF.
2. INPUT RATE
• These lamps will light to ind ic ate the digit al sa m ple rate of the source being p layed. The
LOCK lamp will light when the DAC-100 or DAC-100t has synced to the digita l sour c e.
3. INPUT
• These lamps wi ll light to in d ic a t e t h e select ed source.
• PHASE: Inverts phase 180 d egrees when selec t ed
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CONTROLS AN D DISPLAYS
9
REAR PANEL
1. RIGHT OUTPUTS
• Right channel analog RCA and XLR outputs
2. LEFT OUTPUTS
• Left channel analog RCA and XLR outputs
3. USB IN PUT
• USB input for computer (PC or Mac) connection
4. COAXIAL INPUTS
• Digital coaxial input 1
• Digital coaxial input 2
5. OPTICAL INPUTS
• Digital opt ic al in put 1
• Digital opt ic al in put 2
6. FUSE
7. AC POWER
• Attach the correct IEC power cord for country of use. This is supplied with the unit.
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INSTALLATION
10
UNPACKING
This section describes the proper unpacking and installation procedures for your new
component.
Unpacking
All Cary Audio shipping cartons have been specially designed to protect their contents and special
care has been taken to prevent damage under normal shipping condit ions. Mishandling should be
evident upon inspection of the shipping container. If shipping damage is found after visual
inspection, take care not to destroy the evidence. If necessary, document the damage with
photographs and contact the transport carrier immediately.
Carefully remove your new component from its packing carton and examine it closely for signs of
shipping damage. We strongly recommend saving all original packing cartons to protect your
component from damage should you wish to store it or ship it at a later date.
In the Box
When unpacking your DAC-100 or DAC-100t, make sure the following accessories are
included. You should find the following items within the box:
• Power Cable
• Spare Fuses
• Owner’s Manual
• Warranty Card
WARRANTY CARD
IN T HE USA : If you are the original purchaser of a new unit purchased from an authorized Cary
Audio dealer, please fill out the en closed warranty regist r ation card and ret u r n it t o C ar y Audio
within 15 days of your purchase. Cary Audio also suggests that you keep your original pac k ing
cartons in case you ever need to ship the unit. Warranty restrictions apply. Consult the warranty
section at the end of this manual for det ails. P lease be certain to k eep a c opy of the original sales
receipt from your direct purchase from Cary Audio or your authorized Cary Audio dealer to validate
the warranty if ever needed. The warranty is for the original purchaser only and does not transfer
to any subsequent owner.
OUTSIDE THE USA: Your local authorized Cary A u dio distribu t o r w ill make his own warranty
policy for your country. Please check with them for the terms of warranty for your new amplifier.
PLACEMENT
In general, the location of your new DAC-100 or DAC-100t is not critical. C er tain prec au tions must
be taken to ensu r e optimum performance. Av o id ex tremely hot locations su c h as n ear r adiator or
other heating units. Keep the top of the DAC-100 or DAC-100t clear of books, paper or other
equipment to protect against overheating .
Page 12
OPERATION
11
Operating th is com p o n en t is a simple procedure. Each u n it is d esig n ed for long term st a b ilit y in
virtually any home o p er ating situation. H ow ever, if the unit is op er ated outside the param eters
outlined in t h is ow n er's manual, damage m ay resu lt . Please read this man u al car ef u lly before
putting your new component into operation.
Your new DAC-100 or DAC-100t is ready fo r op er ation after the AC power, input, and output cables
have been install ed in t o t h eir proper locatio n s. Th e DAC-100 or DAC-100t is pr ovided with
functional, useful front panel controls with a logical layout. The main AC power switch and input
selector switch are conveniently located in the front.
CAUTION:
• Be sure that all connections between the DAC-100 or DAC-100t, am plifier, pre am plifier,
and speakers are co n n ected correctly b ef or e attaching the power cord and powering on
the unit.
AC POWER REQUIREMENTS
The DAC-100 and DAC-100t is designed t o work from house current AC mains. The design voltage
is 120V AC at 50/60Hz (foreign u n its 240V A C at 50/60Hz). Plug the provided AC power c a ble into
the AC power jack on the rear panel of the unit.
SOURCE INPUTS
The DAC-10 0 and DAC-100t accepts five (5) d igit al inputs via the jacks on the rear p anel. You can
connect via USB (1), coaxial (2), or Toslink (2). If you have any questions concerning the cables
you should use, please cont ac t the Cary Audio service departmen t for technical sup p o rt.
ANALOG OUTP UTS
The DAC-100 and DAC-100t provides a buffered hi-performance line level audio section in eit h er
solid-state (DAC-100) or tube (DAC -100t). The DAC-100 uses four high speed mo n olit h ic nonfeedback buffers and the DAC-100t uses two (2) 6922 pr em ium t u bes in non-feedback buffer.
You can choose either RCA or balanced XLR via the jacks on the rear panel. Using shielded, highquality int er connect cable is important t o r ed uce t h e p o ssib ility o f h um or interference.
POWER ON/OFF SWITC H
Turn on the DAC-100 or DAC-100t and wait for power LED to stop blink in g after thirty (30)
seconds. Turn on any other components making sure the appropriate input is selected on the
preamplifier, and gradually turn up the volume control to a suitable and enjoyable level.
INPUT
One of the five (5) indicator LEDs will illuminate when an input has been selected. They indicate
USB, coaxial, and Toslink. Simply pr ess the button of the desired source for select ion . On ce
selected, the corr esp o n d in g LED will light u p .
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OPERATION
12
Phase
The Phase button when de-selected (LED not illuminate), means the aud io’s sign a l phase is normal
as per the input source recording. When selected (LED illuminate) the signal’s phase is inverted 180
degrees. Some recordings are recorded out of phase. This feature is useful in restoring a sense of
timing and presence to the sound on some recordings. You can experiment with this feature to
determine your preferred setting with your source recordings.
SAMPLE RATE
One of the 6 indicator LEDs will illum inate when loc ked onto a signal. They indicate 44.1kHz,
48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and 192kHz.
NOTE:
• Please read the spec ifications sect ion f or f u rther clarification.
BREAK IN PERIOD
The components and other circuitry take approximately 100 hours of use to settle in for p eak
performance. Th e DAC-100 and DAC-100t wi ll sou nd good right out of the box, but it will
improve within a short time. A f t er the first 50-100 hours, you w ill n otice increased d epth and
tighter bass. This break-in period is ch aracteristic of qualit y audio devices.
CONNECTING TO YOUR COMPUTER
The DAC-100 and DAC-100t offers state-of-the-art 24 bit/192kHz au dio performance via it s USB
connection. Due to its sophisticated A sy n c h ro n ou s S treamlength™ Class 2.0 U SB audio
technology*, the USB input will yield the best possible sound. The powerful XM OS U S B p r o cesso r
ensures a full-bodi ed cohesive musical p r esentation than k s to meticulous timing an d a jitter free
stream of data. When connecting a computer to the DAC-100 or DAC-100t, it is recommended to
use a high quality USB cable for optimum performance. Please read the following sections on
Macintosh and PC connections, as each is different.
*Streamlength™ is a trademark of Wavelength Audio.
COMPUTER AUDIO – USB , MAC & P C
The DAC-100 and DAC-100t accepts a U S B d ig it a l input via the jack on t he rear panel. When using
a USB DAC such as the DAC-100 and DAC-100t, it is not recommended using an external USB hard
drive. Doing so may overload t h e U S B Bu ses. I f y o u mu st use an ex ternal USB hard drive with the
computer that is connected to the DAC-100 or DAC-100t, try setting the computers med ia p lay er
to Memory Mode. W h en u sing a MAC, a Thunderbolt or Firew ire drive is recommended as an
external drive. The rule of thumb is, do not use the same type of external dr ive ( U S B, Fir ewire,
etc.) as is the DAC (U S B in t h e D A C -100 and DAC-100t’s c ase) f or eit h er MAC or PC.
NOTE:
• Do not “hot swap” USB devices while the DAC-100 or DAC-100t are
turned on. This could damage the unit.
Page 14
OPERATION
13
MACINTOSH - USB
Open the System Preferences panel on your Mac. You will find it under the Apple menu at the
top left of your desktop. Once open, you will see an icon labeled “Sound” on the second row.
Click that ic on to enter the audio setting area. From the three tabs at the top of the sound
window, select “Output”. Select “C-Media USB Headphone Set. “This is the d riv er t h at OSX uses
for USB audio output. Selecting this device will route audio to your DAC-100 or DAC-100t using
USB.
MACINTOSH - OPTICAL
If you plan to use an optical input c o n nection, you will need a stan dard Toslink c able. On some
Apple computers and devices (MacPro, Apple TV), this Toslink cable will plug dire ctly into the
optical port o n the d ev ice. Some devices, like the Airport Expr ess an d Macbook computers, can
connect optically but r e q uire a mini-plug adapter. Your local Ap ple store can help you with this
adapter.
Selecting t h is in p ut is much the same process as when using USB. Navigate to the “Sound”
control panel as described above. Under “Output”, you will see “Digital Output” as an option.
Selecting t h is d e v ic e will r o u te audio to the DAC-100t u sin g the optic al digital connection.
MACINTOSH – AUDIO MIDI SETUP
Macintosh computers have a utility for adjusting how audio is handled on the computer. This ut ilit y
is called Audio MIDI Set u p an d is located in the “U tilities” folder . S ettings for default input and
output devices are set here, as well as certain paramet ers for t h e d ev ic e in use. To check or adj u st
the settings for the DAC-100 or DAC-100t, select “C-Media USB Headphone Set” from the
“Properties For” menu when using a USB connection. On the right side of the window you will see
details of the audio output settings of the DAC-100 or DAC-100t. Under t h is output section, you
can adjust the output frequency from 44.1kHz to 48kHz. Adjustments to the bit depth of the audio
can also be adjusted h er e fr o m 16 to 24 bit.
PC CONNECTIONS
It is required you select a high performance media player, one that is capable of high resolution
audio at various sampling rates for hi-resolution playback.
Prior to installing, be sure you have downloaded or copy the Strea mlen gth v126s (or lat er ) driver
software from our w eb sit e onto your desktop.
NOTE:
• When installing t h e S treamlength v126s d r iver sof tware on some Windows 8
computers, Windows 8 may not recog n ize t h e in st aller f o r the driver. If this happens
you must run the driver installation in compatibility mode .
Page 15
OPERATION
14
1. With the
2.
Turn on your
3.
Turn on the
4.
Connect your USB cable
5. Depending on your Windows operating system, it may attempt to search for and install a
driver. If this happens, cancel it.
6.
Run the
desktop and follow the instructions.
Once the driver finishes installing, do the following:
1.
If using Windows Media Player or iTunes for Windows (or any other non hi-resolution media
player), you should
above step. On c e t h e Speaker Properties is open,
down menu of the Default Format and
Redbook format. Check off both boxes under Exclusive Mode and
You are ready to u se t h e DAC-100 or DAC-100t with your PC and chosen Media Player. However,
some necessary set t in g m u st be taken into account within the media player . All media players are
not alike, so please ref er y ou r m ed ia player’s user guid e as n eed ed.
power
off, plug the USB cable into the back of the DAC-100 or DAC-100t.
PC and let it fully boot up.
DAC-100t.
from the DAC-100 or DAC-100t
setup.exe from the
Open
The Windows Control Panel and
Playback tab, set the
open
the Properties of the
Streamlength folder
you downloaded or copied onto your
double click
Cary Audio USB Device (S peakers)
Cary Audio USB Device (Speakers
select
select
24 bit, 441000 for bit perfect playback of
• Set the
• Select the
• It is recommend ed that you set your med ia p layer t o pass thru all DAC-100 or
DAC-100t support ed samples rates at nat ive o r u n c h an ged. Unsupport ed samp le ra t es
can usually be set within the media player softw ar e t o a default sample rate as
manually chosen, or to allow for automatic down sampling of unsupported sampling
rates.
NOTE:
• You should familiarize yourself with all the features of your chosen media player
output mode
output device
software. Some set tings may need t o b e adjusted depending on many factors. A
common one is adjusting the buffering for playback. Many times, setting the buffer
to on or max can result in better performance. I f you hear a ticking or missing parts
of the music, you may have to select a feature of your media player to flush the
device buffer on startup and so on. Cary Audio is not responsible for your
computer , m e d ia p la y er o r m edia player sett ing and the r esponsibility in k n o win g
and understanding your computer and media players operations is th e cu stomer’s
responsibility.
of your media player to WASAPI (Event Style).
of your media player to Cary Audio USB Interface Audio.
to the USB port on your PC
the Sound icon. Under the
at Default and
the Advanced tab. Clic k t he drop
click
Apply.
click
OK.
) as in the
SELECTING ADDITIONAL COAXIAL OR TOSLINK DIGITAL SOURCES
Both the coaxial and Toslink inputs are capab le of 24 bit/192kHz* playback of hi-resolution as well
as standard resolu t ion au dio files from a variety of digital sou r ces su c h as, st r eam in g devices,
Internet radios, legacy CD or DVD players, docks, or any product that outputs digital data over
coaxial or Toslink. Today, many products offer these types of outputs. Using a high quality DAC
such as the DAC-100 and DAC-100t will enhance the performance of many of these devices. Check
with your digital source’s documentation to see if it is capable of outputting hi-resolution au dio and
at what bit depths and sampling rates.
*Please read the specifications sections of this manual for sample rate compa tibility.
.
Page 16
SERVICE AND CARE
15
CARE AND CLEANING
The cabinet housing and front panel of the DAC-100 and DAC-100t may be cleaned with a soft
cloth and Windex or a window cleaner. The frequency of cleaning will be governed by how
many hours the DAC-100 or DAC-100t is operated and by operating environment cleanliness.
CAUTION:
• Do not let an y liquids spill into the vents on top of the unit.
AC POWE R FUSE REPLACEMENT
Never replace t h e f u se with any other value than a two (2) amp slow blow fuse, 250V fo r a u nit
configured to operate a t 110V-120V AC. Never use any other value than a one (1) amp s low
blow fuse, 250V for a unit configured to operate at 220V-240V AC . The AC Power Cord must be
unplugged from the AC Power jack on the back of the unit prior t o re placing the fuse. The AC
power fuse is NOT in the I E C power socket on th is mo d el, but rather is a bayonet h o ld er just
above the power cord. Remove the fuse holder by twisting the holder counter-clockwise and
pulling it straight out. Replace the fuse in the holder, push it into the socket and turn it
clockwise until it stops. Set the unit Power On/Off switch to the Off position and plug the AC
Power cord back into the AC Power jack. Then set the Power On/Off switch to the On position
and verify proper operation. Contact Cary Audi o for advice if the fuse repeatedly blows.
FACTOR Y S ER V ICE
Careful consideration has been given to the design of your DAC-100 or DAC-100t to keep
maintenance pro b lem s t o a m in imu m . A n y p roblem s or requests for service should be referred to
our Customer Ser v ice D epartment at 919-355-0010. DO NOT return t h e DAC-100 or DAC-100t to
the factory without a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number from our online Customer
Service Center (www.caryaudio.com/support/servicereturns).
Cary Audio will assume no responsibility if the shipping company refuses to pay for damage due
to your improper packing or lack of insurance should the unit be lost or damaged in shipment.
Please retain and always use the original shipping carton for shipping t h e player. A lso, C ar y
Audio reserves the r ig h t to return prod u cts sent in for service in a new box set at the customer’s
expense if t h e o r ig in a l p a c k in g material was d a m aged in the initial shipment, o r if it is deemed
unsatisfactory to use in return shipping.
NON-WARRANTY REPAIRS
Cary Audio will provide repair service for its produ c t s c h ar g in g on a time and expense b asis. A t
this time, the stan dard non-warranty service bench fee is $125 fo r t h e f irst hour and $95 per hour
thereafter. Parts used for r epairs as well as return sh ip p in g are additional. This may change and
is not a quote for ser v ice. Please call us at 919-355-0010 for more infor mat ion ab out ou t -ofwarranty service an d r epair fees.
CAUTION:
• Never remove or insert the back panel AC plug when the unit is on or the AC
cord is plugged into the wall.
Page 17
SERVICE AND CARE
16
TUBE REPLACEMENT (DAC-100t)
The Cary Audio DAC-100t’s tube circuit is design ed to offer several years of performance und er
normal liste n in g conditions . Please bear in min d that tube degrad ation is a slow and subtle
process over time. As such, after several years of enjoyment one may not notice any significant
difference in performance. Therefore, we rec ommend regu larly sch eduling tube replacement every
two to three year s or soo n er if u sage is heavy. Please foll ow t h e p r o cedures below or log into Cary
Audio’s online C u st o mer S er v ice C en t er (www.caryaudio.com/support/servicereturns) for an RMA.
• Tube Replacement Procedure:
o Disconnect any attached connectors (AC power cord, and audio cables) from
the unit.
o Remove screws h olding top co v er.
o Remove tu bes and replace them wit h the correct replacement t u be (6922)
being sure the pins are inserted correc t ly an d the tubes are fully seat ed .
o Take care in handling the tubes properly minimizing any direct contact with
your fingers. A soft, lint free glove or clot h wo r k s b est.
o Replace top cover and reinst all screws.
CAUTION:
• ALWAYS disconnect the unit from the AC outlet and power cord.
Page 18
LIMITED WARRANTY
17
Cary Audio Warrants to the Original Purchas er for th e Following Cary Audio Products
for the Periods Indicated:
1. Power Amplifiers, Integrated Amplifiers, Surround Sound Processors, and Preamplifiers have
a three (3) year parts and labor warranty from the date of the original purchase from Cary
Audio.
2. CD or SACD players, DV D p lay er s, or Music Servers have an eig h teen (18) month par t s an d
labor warranty from the date of the original purchase from Cary Audio.
3. Vacuum tubes, if any are used in the component, are offered a 90-day exchange policy
against defect s with the exception of the 300B vacuum tube that h as a on e ( 1) y ear
exchange policy from the date of the original purchase from Cary Audio.
What is Covered and What is Not Covered
Except as specified b elow, t h is war r an t y c overs parts and labor to correct all defects in mat e r ials
and workmanship. The following are not covered by the warranty:
1. Damage, deterior at ion , malfunction or f ailu re to meet perf or ma n ce specifications resu lt ing
from:
a. Accident, acts o f n at u r e, m isu se, abuse, neglect o r unauthorized product
modifications
b. Imprope r in stallation, remov al or maintena n c e, or failure t o f ollo w in s t r uctions
supplied with the product.
c. Repair or attempted repair by anyone not authorized by Cary Audio to repair the
product.
d. Any shipment of the product (claims must be presented to t h e c ar r ier).
e. Any cause other than a product defect.
2. Cleaning, init ial set-up, check-ups with no defects found, or charges incurred for installation,
removal or reinstallation of the product.
3. Any product, on which the serial number has been defaced , m odified or removed.
4. Batteries.
5. Accessories, inc lu ding but not limited to, batteries, cables, mo u n t in g hardware and b r ac k et s,
cleaning accessor ies, antenna and detachable p ow er c or ds.
6. Warranty is void if purchase was made from anyone other than an authorized Cary Audio
dealer.
Who May Enforce the Warranty?
This warranty extends to products purchased directly from Cary Audio or an authorized Cary Audio
dealer. Purchaser s sho u ld in q u ir e of t h e dealer regardin g the nature and exten t of t h e dealer’ s
warranty, if any.
To obtain such warranty service, the original purchaser must complete and send in the Warranty
Registration Card within 15 days of p u r ch ase.
Page 19
LIMITED WARRANTY
18
What Will We P ay For?
We will pay for all labor and m aterial expenses for items covered by the warranty. Payment of
shipping char g es is d isc u ssed in t h e n ex t section of this warr an t y .
How Can You Get Service?
In the event that the owner needs to return the unit t o Cary Audio for service or repair of a
possible defect, h e m u st f ollow the following st eps:
1. Create a new account or login to our Cu st o mer Serv ic e Cen ter
(www.caryaudio.com/support/servicereturns) to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization
(RMA) number. Once the account is set up or you have logged in, click on “Open New RMA”
to begin entering the information to create an RMA that is needed to return or exchange a
product. You will be given an RMA number, which must appear on the label of the box you
ship back.
2. Submit a copy of t h e or iginal sales receip t; blank rec eipts will not validate the lim it ed
warranty for service by Cary Audio. The original sales receip t m u s t c o n tain the followin g
information:
a. The authorized Cary Audio dealer’s name
b. The date of purchase
c. The unit’s sales pr ice
d. The buyer’s na me an d address
e. Describe in detail th e problem.
f. Note the unit’ s m odel number and serial numb er .
3. Deliver by either of t h ese m et h o d s:
a. With all freight and insurance charges prepaid and in its original packing container
or equivalent, ship the component to Cary Audi o, 1020 Goodworth Driv e A p ex, NC
27539.
b. Hand-deliver the p r oduct to Cary Audio (address noted abo v e) or t h e n ear est
authorized service facility.
Limitation of Implied Warranties
All implied w ar r anties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purchase,
are limited in duration to the length of this warranty.
Exclusion of Damages
Cary Audio’s liability for any defectiv e product is limited to repair or r e p la c em en t of the product at
Cary Audio’s option. Cary Audio shall not be liable for damage to other products caused by any
defects in Cary Audio products, damages based upon incon v en ienc e or loss of u se of t h e product,
or any other damages, whether incidental, consequential, or otherwise.
Page 20
LIMITED WARRANTY
19
How State Law Relates to the Warranty
Some states do not allow limitations on ho w lon g an implied war r an ty lasts and/ or do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of in cidental or consequent ial d a m ages, so the above limitation s o r
exclusions may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.
International Purchasers (Export Markets)
Cary Audio warrants its merch an dise to purchasers within t h e U n ited States exclusiv ely f or use
within the Unit ed States. It provides no other warranties, expressed or implied. If y ou ar e living
outside of the U n it ed States, please consult your local dealer or d ist r ib u tor to determine the details
of your local warranty.
Page 21
CARY AUDIO DESIGN
1020 Goodworth Drive, Apex, NC 27539
phone 919-355-0010
fax 919-355-0013
www.caryaudio.com
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