DCS Debussy DAC User Manual
dCS Debussy DAC
Stereo Digital to Analogue Converter
with asynchronous USB Interface
User Manual
Software Release 2.2x
August 2013
© Data Conversion Systems Ltd. 2010-2013
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduc ed, stored in or introduced into a retrieval s ystem,
or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise)
without the prior written permission of dCS
publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damag es.
Price UK £8.00 / Euro 12.00
1
. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notic e, and whilst it is checked for accuracy, no
liabilities can be accepted for errors.
1
dCS is Data Conversion Systems Ltd. Company registered in England No. 2072115.
dCS Debussy DAC User Manual Software Issue 2.2x
August 2013
Debussy DAC Manual v2_2x.docx Page 2 English version
dCS Debussy DAC User Manual Software Issue 2.2x
August 2013
Contents
Using the dCS Debussy DAC for the first time ........................................................................................ 4
What’s in the box? 4
Positioning the unit 4
Safety Notice 5
Step-by-Step Guide ............................................................................................................................... 6
Preliminaries 6
Fitting the Remote Control handset batteries 7
STEP 1 – Selecting a Digital Input 8
Connecting the USB interface 8
Connecting to a Single AES or SPDIF source 9
Connecting to a Dual AES Source 10
STEP 2 – Setting up the USB source 11
A word about Music Playing Software 11
Selecting the Debussy DAC as your Audio Output device 12
STEP 3 – Connecting the Analogue Outputs 13
Using a preamplifier 13
Using a power amplifier directly 13
STEP 4 – Using a System Clock 14
Front Panel ........................................................................................................................................... 15
POWER Button 15
VOL+/- Buttons 15
MUTE Button 15
FILTER Button 15
PHASE Button 15
INPUT button 16
Word Clock Indicator 16
Remote Control Receiver 16
Input Indicators 17
Sample Rate Indicators 17
Factory Reset 17
Rear Panel ............................................................................................................................................ 18
Analogue Outputs 18
Output Level Switch 18
AES Digital Inputs 18
SPDIF Digital Inputs 18
Word Clock Input 18
USB Interface 19
Label 19
TEST Connector 19
Mains inlet 19
Remote Control .................................................................................................................................... 20
Specification ........................................................................................................................................ 21
Maintenance and Support ................................................................................................................... 22
Service and Maintenance 22
Replacing a Blown Mains Fuse 22
Cleaning the case 22
Limited Warranty 23
Software 24
Which Software Issue is loaded? 24
Updating the Software 25
Software History 25
If you need more help 26
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dCS Debussy DAC User Manual Software Issue 2.2x
August 2013
USING THE dCS Debussy DAC FOR THE FIRST TIME
Congratulations on purchasing your dCS Debussy DAC. This version of the Debussy DAC features
24/192 USB capability and can play DSD files when transmitted in DoP format.
Before using your unit, please read this section and the Step by Step Guide. This will enable you to
set the unit up quickly and safely with your hi-fi system.
From time to time, dCS may release updated software you can install yourself from a PC. Please
check our web-site occasionally to see if new Debussy DAC software is available, or consult your
dealer.
What’s in the box?
Check that the box contains the following items:
• dCS Debussy DAC
• User Manual
• dCS USB Audio Class 2 driver disc for Windows
• Power cable
• USB cable
• 2 spare fuses
• dCS Premium Remote Control with 2x AAA batteries
Notify your dealer as soon as possible if anything is missing or damaged. We suggest that you retain
the original packaging for possible future use. If this is not possible, replacement packaging can be
ordered from dCS or our distributors. Details can be found o n our web site at www.dcsltd.co.uk
.
The cables supplied are commercial-grade parts, as we realise our customers will want to make their
own choices.
Positioning the unit
The Debussy DAC may be stacked with other products, but the system is likely to give better sonic
results when units are mounted on separate shelves of a rack. Place each unit on a firm, vibration-free
base, allowing convenient connection to the other parts of your system. To prevent overheating, we
recommend that you leave some free space around the unit to allow for ventilation.
The mounting points are M4 size, maximum screw depth is 8mm.
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dCS Debussy DAC User Manual Software Issue 2.2x
August 2013
Safety Notice
Your dCS Debussy DAC contains no user serviceable parts. DO NOT attempt to open the
case as there are potentially dangerous voltages present inside. In the event of the unit
developing a fault, please contact your dealer in the first instance.
To maintain protection from electric shock, the unit MUST be connected to mains earth
(ground) via the power cable. Also, unearthed systems do not give the best sonic
performance.
This product is lead-free to comply with the RoHS directive.
Before connecting the power cable to the unit for the first time, please check that it has been set to the
correct operating voltage for your mains supply. The unit’s voltage setting is shown on the serial
number label. If this does not match your local supply voltage, DO NOT attempt to use the unit.
Contact your dealer to have the unit reset. Using the unit with the wrong mains setting for your local
supply may result in serious damage to the unit and will invalidate the warranty. Do not attempt to
reset the voltage yourself.
We do not recommend the use of mains regenerators. However, if you do wish to use a mains
regenerator with variable voltage and frequency, we recommend that you set the voltage to match
your local voltage and the frequency to either 50Hz or 60Hz ONLY.
Damage caused to your Debussy DAC by misuse of a mains regenerator or by a
!
malfunctioning mains regenerator is not covered by the warranty.
Disposal at end-of-life - the symbol indicates that this product should not be treated as
normal household waste. It should be recycled, so please take it to an approved
collection facility.
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dCS Debussy DAC User Manual Software Issue 2.2x
August 2013
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
This section guides you through setting up the unit for basic operation.
Preliminaries
For digital interfaces, use with cables designed for digital audio:
• for AES/EBU interfaces use 110Ω screened, twisted pair cables fitted with one male 3-way XLR
connector and one female 3-way XLR connector.
• for SPDIF BNC and Word Clock interfaces, use 75Ω coax cables fitted with BNC plugs.
• for SPDIF RCA interfaces, use 75Ω coax cables fitted with RCA Phono plugs.
• for the USB interface, use a standard screened USB cable fitted with one type ‘A’ connector and
one type ‘B’ connector. The internal screen must be connected at both ends.
For analogue outputs, use with screened cables of the correct type:
• for balanced outputs, use screened, twisted pair cables fitted with one male 3-way XLR connector
and one female 3-way XLR connector.
• for unbalanced outputs, use coax cables fitted with RCA Phono plugs.
Connect the power cable supplied to the power inlet on the Debussy DAC rear panel, plug the other
end into a convenient power outlet.
If you wish to use a power cable other than the one supplied, please ensure that it is a
!
Set the rear panel power switch to the I position, press the POWER button briefly and wait about 30
seconds while the unit configures itself. The Power indicator and one or two of the input indicators will
illuminate, some of the other indicators may also illuminate.
good fit to the mains inlet, and is not so heavy or inflexible as to place strain on the mains
inlet.
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dCS Debussy DAC User Manual Software Issue 2.2x
August 2013
Fitting the Remote Control handset batteries
Use a small coin to
release the screw
securing the back
plate.
!
Failure to fit the batteries correctly can damage your Remote Control. Such damage is
not covered by the warranty.
Please dispose of used batteries properly at a waste disposal site, not in the household
waste.
Lift the screw a
little and slide the
back plate off.
Fit 2 AA size batteries by pressing
the flat end (-) against the spring
and pressing the battery into the
slot, so that the + end makes
contact with the stud.
Slide the back
plate into place and
tighten the screw.
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dCS Debussy DAC User Manual Software Issue 2.2x
August 2013
STEP 1 – Selecting a Digital Input
Switch on the source equipment. If appropriate, load a disk / tape and set the machine in PLAY mode
to ensure it is generating a digital audio data stream. Choose one or more of the following sections:
Connecting the USB interface
There are two USB Audio classes, one of which must be set during system set-up. The DAC is
shipped set to USB Audio Class 2.
Audio Class 1: The interface operates without special drivers at up to 96kS/s.
To select Class 1, switch off completely (not just Sleep), wait 10 seconds, then hold down the
Input and Vol- buttons and switch on. Keep the 2 buttons pressed until all the front panel LEDs
flash continually. Release the buttons and wait for the LEDs to stop flashing. The unit is now in
Class 1 mode.
Audio Class 2: The interface operates at up to 192kS/s.
For Mac OSX™, version 10.6 or later is required.
For Windows 7™, Windows Vista™ (SP2) or Windows XP™ (SP3), the driver files on the disc
supplied must be installed onto the computer before use (see page 11).
At the time of writing, we have not tested the driver with Windows 8™, but we are told it works
well if the driver is installed in Windows 7 Compatibility Mode.
To select Class 2, switch off completely (not just Sleep), wait 10 seconds, then hold down the
Input and Vol+ buttons and switch on. Keep the 2 buttons pressed until all the front panel LEDs
flash continually. Release the buttons and wait for the LEDs to stop flashing. The unit is now in
Class 2 mode.
The USB interface can be connected to Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows XP, Mac OSX (10.5.4
or later) PCs or a sound server, running software to generate PCM data. The interface has been
checked briefly with a Linux PC.
Analogue outputs
to amplifier
USB
Figure 1 – Connecting the USB interface.
• Connect one of the computer’s USB ports to the USB port on the DAC’s rear panel.
• Press the Input button repeatedly until the USB input indicator is lit. If the source is transmitting
PCM data, the DAC will lock to the source and the appropriate sample rate indicator will illuminate.
The DAC’s USB interface operates in asynchronous mode. This allows the clock inside the DAC to
control the delivery of data from the computer, avoiding the use of the computer’s inaccurate and
jittery clock.
Proceed to Step 2.
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