DCS P9i Mk2 User Manual

dCS P8i Mk2
Upsampling SACD/CD Player
User Manual
Software Release 2.0x
March 2011
© Data Conversion systems Ltd. 2005-2011 Price UK £8.00 / Euro 12.00
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.
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.
1
. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this
dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011
Manual filename: dCS P8i User Guide v2_0x.docx English version www.dcsltd.co.uk
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011
Contents
Using the P8i mk2 for the first time .................................................................................................... 4
What is P8i Mk2? 4 What’s in the box? 4 Safety Notice 4 Laser Radiation Hazard 5 Mains Voltage Setting 5 Power Cables 5 Mains Regenerators 5 Positioning the unit 5
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE .......................................................................................................................... 6
STEP 1 – Connecting the P8i using the Analogue Outputs 6 STEP 2 – Connecting the P8i using the Digital Outputs 6 STEP 3 – Connecting to the Digital Inputs 6 STEP 4 – Powering up 7 STEP 5 – Inserting and playing a Disc 7 STEP 6 – Adding a System Clock 7 STEP 7 – Using an external source 7
THE HARDWARE ................................................................................................................................... 8
Front Panel 8 Rear Panel 10 Remote Control 12
Fitting or replacing the Batteries in the Remote Control 12 Using the Original Remote Control 13 Premium Remote Control 14
THE MENU ............................................................................................................................................ 15
Using the menu 16 Menu Sequence 16
Filter 16 Phase 16 Source 17 Brightness 17 Output Level 17 Digital Outputs 17 Upsampling 17 Word Clock (WClk) 17 Issue 17 Serial Number 17 Contact Details 17 CDUpdate 17 Exit 17
MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT ......................................................................................................... 18
Service and Maintenance 18 Mains Fuse 18
Replacing a Blown Fuse 18 Obtaining Service 18 Operating Conditions 19 If you need more help 19
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

USING THE P8I MK2 FOR THE FIRST TIME

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.

What is P8i Mk2?

The original P8i Mk1 CD/SACD Player was a successful product, but the reliability of the Philips SD5.2 mechanism fitted inside was disappointing. Unexpectedly, Philips discontinued the mechanism only 18 months after the P8i was launched, which caused servicing problems for dCS and the other manufacturers who used this mechanism.
In order to give existing P8i units another lease of life and to support P8i customers, we have designed a good quality Teac Esoteric mechanism into the unit. The new mechanism is similar to that used in the Puccini Player and Paganini Transport. It has proven to be much more reliable and loads much faster. We have not used the elastomeric mounting on the upgraded version, so transit screws are no longer required.
The changes involved are VERY extensive – a complete rebuild of the Player is necessary and much of the hardware has been replaced. The Mk2 unit requires v2 software, which has been written to suit the revised hardware.
DO NOT load P8i v2 software into a P8i Mk1 unit – it is not compatible and will cause
!
The basic functionality of the P8i has been retained, with some minor improvements:
The Player responds to the CD/SACD button on the remote control.
The Player is now compatible with our Premium Remote Control. The new software supports the
Repeat Track, Repeat Disc and Program features.
The Display Mode button on the Remote Control has the same effect for CD and SACD.
serious malfunctions or permanent damage.

What’s in the box?

For Players sold on a used basis, check that the box contains the following items:
dCS P8i
Power cable
2 spare fuses
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 you have asked us to upgrade your P8i Mk1, the unit should have been returned with the same accessories you sent to us.
Remote control unit
3 x AAA batteries
1.5mm Allen Key for the remote control unit

Safety Notice

Your dCS P8i 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. If you need more help, contact dCS.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

Laser Radiation Hazard

The dCS P8i is a Class 1 Laser Product, it complies with U.S. FDA 21CFR subchapter J. In normal use, there is no risk of exposure to laser radiation.
The metal top cover must only be removed by authorised service personnel. The cover protects the user from indirect exposure to visible and invisible laser radiation, as well
!
as risk of electric shock.

Mains Voltage Setting

Before connecting the power cable to your P8i 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 label beneath the mains inlet on the rear panel. 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 P8i 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.

Power Cables

If you wish to use a power cable other than the one supplied, please ensure that it is a good fit to the mains inlet, is not too fat, too stiff or too heavy.

Mains Regenerators

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 50 or 60Hz ONLY.
Damage caused to your P8i by misuse of a mains regenerator or by a malfunctioning
!
mains regenerator is not covered by the warranty.

Positioning the unit

Place the P8i on a firm, vibration free base, allowing convenient connection to the other parts of your system. For best results avoid siting the P8i either directly on or underneath preamplifiers or tuners. To prevent overheating, we recommend that you leave some free space around the unit to allow for ventilation.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

This section guides you through setting up the unit for basic operation.

STEP 1 – Connecting the P8i using the Analogue Outputs

If you prefer to use an external DAC, go to step 2. Most owners will make use of the P8i’s internal Ring DAC to drive the power amplifier directly.
The P8i has one pair of balanced analogue outputs on XLR connectors (Left and Right) and one pair of unbalanced analogue outputs on two RCA phono connector (Left and Right).
Connect either the balanced or the unbalanced analogue outputs on the P8i to the matching inputs on your preamplifier / power amplifier with suitable audio cables. Both sets of outputs may be used simultaneously, if required.
Connect the power amplifier to your loudspeakers.

STEP 2 – Connecting the P8i using the Digital Outputs

If you are using the P8i’s internal DAC, go to step 3. When playing CDs, 16bit / 44.1kS/s digital data will appear on the AES OUT and RCA OUT
connectors, which can be used to drive an external DAC.
Connect one of the AES or RCA digital outputs on the P8i rear panel to the matching inputs of the DAC using suitable screened digital cables.
Press the MENU button and use the arrow buttons to scroll to the Digital Out page. If this is set to Off, press the MENU button to change to On.
Connect the analogue outputs of your DAC to the matching inputs on your preamplifier / power amplifier.
Connect the power amplifier to your loudspeakers.
The P8i is a Player, not a Transport. The digital outputs are inactive while playing an
!
SACD or using the digital inputs.

STEP 3 – Connecting to the Digital Inputs

You can use the P8i’s internal Ring DAC to convert digital data from an external source to analogue. The unit will lock to 32, 44.1 or 48kS/s and process word lengths up to 24 bits.
Connect the external source (such as a DAB radio or DVD player) to either the AES IN or RCA IN connector on the P8i back panel, using suitable screened digital cables. You can use both digital inputs if you wish.
Connect the analogue outputs of your DAC to the matching inputs on your preamplifier / power amplifier.
Connect the power amplifier to your loudspeakers.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

STEP 4 – Powering up

Connect the power cable supplied to the power inlet on the P8i rear panel. If you are using a power cord other than the one supplied with the P8i, make sure that it is a good fit to the mains inlet and is not too large or heavy as to cause damage (see “Power cables” on page 4). Plug the other end into a convenient power outlet. Set the power switch beside the power inlet to the on position (I).
Press the Standby button briefly. Wait several seconds while the P8i configures itself. The buttons light up in blue showing that the unit is booting up. After a few seconds the blue lights turn off. The unit displays dCS P8i, Welcome and then Loading. Once booted up, the colour of the buttons changes to green, signifying that there is no disc in the player, and the unit should display No Disc.
Make sure the volume on your P8i and/or amplifier is set to a low level before first operation.

STEP 5 – Inserting and playing a Disc

Press the Stop/Eject button. The display will show Opening, the drawer will open and then the display will show Open.
Place the disc onto the tray and press the Stop/Eject button again. The display will show Closing,
Loading, Read TOC, Checking and will then build a table of contents displaying 1-5, 6-10, etc.
The disc will be identified as CD or SACD. Either the CD or the SACD indicator will light. In this release, the unit will play the SACD layer of a hybrid disc by default. The colour of the buttons changes depending on the type of disc you choose to play, red for a CD layer or lilac for an SACD layer.
Press the Play/Pause button. Turn the volume to a comfortable level. You should have audio.
Press the Play/Pause button to pause playing, press again to resume playing.
Press the Next Track or Previous Track buttons to skip to another track.
Press the Stop/Eject button to stop the disc. Press it again to open the tray.
Enjoy the music!

STEP 6 – Adding a System Clock

Disc playback can be enhanced by adding a Puccini U-Clock or Paganini Clock to your system.
Set the Clock to 44.1kHz.
Connect one of the Clock’s word clock outputs to the P8i’s W/CLOCK IN socket using a 75 ohm
BNC cable.
The Player will automatically slave to the Clock, which then controls the timing and reduces jitter.

STEP 7 – Using an external source

If you connected an external source to the P8i in STEP 3, turn it on and select it as follows:
Press the MENU button and use the arrow buttons to scroll to the Source menu page. Press the
MENU button again to select either the AES or RCA input.
Either the AES or RCA indicator will illuminate. The unit will detect the sample rate of the source (32,
44.1 or 48kS/s only), then display the source word length and sample rate on the left side of the
display (e.g. 16/44.1k).
Turn the volume to a comfortable level. You should have audio.
Enjoy the music!
When using the digital inputs, the CD controls are disabled. If you need to eject a disc,
!
return the Player to Disc mode.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

THE HARDWARE

This section briefly explains the layout of the front and the rear panel and what the symbols stand for.

Front Panel

A B C D E F GHJI
Key to the front panel
A- Power Button B - Stop / Eject Button C - Play / Pause Button D - Previous Track / Menu Step Back Button E - Next Track / Menu Step Forward Button F - Menu / Select Button G - Rotary Control H - Remote Control Sensor I - SACD / CD Drawer J - Main Display
A – Power
To power up or switch out of standby mode, press the Power button briefly.
When you have finished listening, press the Power button briefly to set the unit to standby mode.
The Power button will glow red and the rest of the display will turn off.
To switch off completely, hold down the Power button for a few seconds until it glows lilac, then release it. Please wait at least 10 seconds before switching on again.
When the menu is open, press the Power button to close it or wait for time-out.
B – Stop / Eject
When there is no disc in the player, or if the disc is stopped, press this button to open the tray.
When the tray is open, press this button to close the tray.
When a disc is playing, press this button to stop the disc.
C – Play / Pause
With a disc loaded, press this button to start playing.
Press it to pause and press again to resume playing.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011
D – Previous Track / Menu Step back
Press the Previous Track button briefly to skip to the previous track.
If the disc is playing, the first touch on this button will return to the start of the current track, a
second push on this button will take you to the beginning of the previous track. It is recommended to use the numeric keypad on the remote control to select tracks e.g. If track 5 on a disc is being played but you want to go back to track 3, just press 3 on the remote control keypad.
When the menu is open, this button is used for paging backwards through the menu.
E – Next Track / Menu Step Forward
Press the Next Track button briefly to skip to the next track.
When the menu is open, this button is used for paging forwards through the menu.
F – Menu / Select
? /
Press the Menu button to open the menu and change or select settings in the menu.
When the Menu button is pressed, the button lighting switches off, except the menu button, and the
two buttons used to page forward and backwards through the menu.
G – Rotary Control
Use the Rotary Control to turn the volume up or down
While the menu is open, use the Rotary Control to page forwards and backwards through the
menu.
When the Balance option has been selected, use the Rotary Control to change the balance settings.
H – Remote Control Sensor
The remote control sensor requires a direct line of sight to receive commands from the remote control transmitter.
I – SACD / CD Tray
If the tray is open when the unit is on and you press the Power button, the tray will close automatically before the unit enters standby mode.
J – Main Display
The main display tells you what the P8i is doing.
While playing a disc, the track number, the track time and the volume setting are usually displayed.
While adjusting the channel balance, the track time and the L/R balance settings are displayed.
When accessing the menu, menu options are displayed.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

Rear Panel

K LMNOPQRSTV/WU
Key to the Rear Panel
K – Balanced analogue outputs L & R on XLR male connectors L - Unbalanced analogue outputs L & R on RCA phono connectors M – AES Digital Input on XLR female connector N – AES Digital Output on XLR male connector O – SPDIF Digital Input on RCA connector P – SPDIF Digital Output on RCA connector Q – Word clock Digital Input R – Word clock Digital Output S – Power link In and Out T – Software Upgrade connector, 9-way ‘D’ type V – Mains Fuse Holder W – IEC Power Inlet U – Power Switch
Analogue Outputs
The Player features separately buffered Balanced Outputs (K) on XLR connectors and Unbalanced
Outputs (L) on RCA connectors. The Balanced Outputs should be connected to true balanced inputs
only. If your preamplifier / power amplifier has unbalanced inputs (even if the inputs are on XLR connectors), please use the Unbalanced Outputs instead.
The Balanced Output connectors are wired pin1=Screen, pin2=Signal+, pin 3=Signal-.
!
Digital Inputs
The Digital Inputs are indicated by a GREEN background on the back panel. The unit features one AES/EBU (M) and one SPDIF interface (O) on an RCA connector. They may be selected by the
Source menu page (or the Input+ button on the Premium Remote). These inputs give direct access to
the Player’s DAC section, they will accept up to 24 bit PCM digital data at 32, 44.1 or 48kS/s.
Digital Outputs
The Digital Outputs are indicated by a PINK background on the back panel. The unit features one AES/EBU (N) and one SPDIF interface (P) on an RCA connector. These outputs carry CD format PCM data (16 bits at 44.1kS/s) only when playing a CD. They are disabled when playing an SACD or when using the Digital Inputs.
DO NOT connect Balanced Output pin 2 or pin 3 to ground.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011
Word Clock Input / Output
When playing a disc, the W/Clock In connector (Q) will accept standard 44.1kHz word clock from a master clock. When the Digital Inputs are in use, this input is disabled.
When playing a disc, the W/Clock Out connector (R) carries a 44.1kHz word clock. When the Digital Inputs are in use, this output is disabled.
Word clock is used for synchronisation only, it does not carry digital audio data.
Power Link
These connectors (S) can be linked to similar connectors on other dCS units with this feature (manufactured from 2004 to 2006) using a link cable. All units linked in this way may be turned on or off or set to standby by pressing a single Power button or sending one Remote Control command. Link cables are available from dCS.
SUC Connector
The SUC connector (T) is an RS232 interface, primarily used to remotely control the unit during automated testing. Please contact dCS for the codes to use this interface with a household automation system. Note that we recommend using infra-red remote control instead.
Mains inlet
Power is connected via a standard IEC320 connector (V), protected by a fuse (W) and isolated by a 2­pole power switch (U).
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

Remote Control

Fitting or replacing the Batteries in the Remote Control

For safety reasons, the remote control is supplied with the 3 batteries packed separately. Any replacement batteries must be type AAA, MN2400 or equivalent alkaline leak-proof batteries.
To open the battery compartment, turn the Remote Control unit over and remove the 2 screws shown in the figure below using the Allen key supplied. Lift off the battery cover.
To remove discharged batteries, press the + end back against the spring and pull that end out of the unit. A small key or screwdriver may be used if the battery is a tight fit. Dispose of the discharged batteries safely, do not put them in the household waste.
To fit a new battery, press the – end (the flat end) against one of the spring contacts in the battery holder then press the battery into its slot. Battery polarity is indicated on the battery holder and on the diagram below. Always fit a complete set of 3 new batteries.
AAA
1.5V
1.5V
AAA
AAA
1.5V
To re-assemble the case, fit the battery cover, ensuring the side with the recessed holes is outward. Replace the 2 screws, do not over-tighten them as this can damage the screw heads and the remote case. The Remote Control is ready to use.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

Using the Original Remote Control

Standby Menu
A
SACD/CD
G
B
//
C
D E
F
Display Vol/Bal
13
2 456 789
0
dCS
H
I
A – Standby button
Press the Standby button to set the P8i to sleep mode, press again to restore normal operation.
B – SACD/CD button
While playing a hybrid disc, the SACD layer is played by default. Press the SACD/CD button to change layer. While changing layers and re-reading the disc, Loading... is displayed.
C – Player Controls
The Play / Pause, Stop / Eject, Previous Track and Next Track buttons control the player in the same way as the buttons on the front panel.
The Previous Track and Next Track buttons also double as Fast Forward and Fast Reverse buttons on the remote control.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011
D – Display Button
Pressing this button changes the displayed time from track elapsed to track remaining.
E – Vol/Bal Button
Switches between Volume and Balance adjustment modes. In Balance mode, the volume level changes to Left / Right balance levels, and the BAL indicator
illuminates. F– 09 Buttons The ten numbered buttons are used to select track numbers. G – Menu Button Opens the menu. Use the and buttons to page through the menu and press Menu again to select
a function. Note that the menu may time out if there is no activity for 5 seconds.
H – Up and Down Buttons
Use these keys to alter the settings when in volume or balance mode or to scroll up and down the menu when the menu is open.
I – Mute Button
Press this button to mute or un-mute the analogue outputs of the player.

Premium Remote Control

P8i Mk2 software is generally compatible with the Premium Remote Control, as supplied with the Puccini Player and the Paganini DAC. The Premium Remote may be purchased from dCS if required. In cases where we sell the Player as an upgraded unit, we may choose to supply this remote control instead of the original P8i remote.
All of the buttons are supported except for Input-, AES, 1394 and Upsampler Input / Output. The Premium Remote has some features that do not appear on the original P8i Remote, these are:
Repeat track / disc, Program / Clear a track sequence, Input+ (changes the DAC Source), Filter and
switch OFF. These features are detailed on the box.
SACD/CD and Menu access are not featured on the Premium Remote.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

THE MENU

The menu gives you access to a range of additional features. The chart below shows the menu sequence when playing discs.
When using the digital inputs, the menu sequence changes as shown below to omit pages that apply to disc mode only.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

Using the menu

The menu is controlled by 3 buttons:
The Menu button opens the menu and with the menu open acts as the Select button.
The Step Forward button pages forward through the menu.
The Step Back button pages backward through the menu.
The Power button closes the menu.
When the Menu button is pressed, the button lighting switches off, except the Menu button itself, and the two buttons that drive the menu.
You can also use the Rotary control to page backwards and forwards through the menu. Successive presses of the Step Forward or Step Back button page through the menu. You cannot go directly to any particular page.
There are three ways to close the menu:
You can use either Step button until the display shows Exit and then press Select.
5 seconds after your last command the menu will time-out and the P8i will revert to normal
operation.
Press the Power button briefly.

Menu Sequence

The following explanation briefly deals with the Menu pages in the sequence they occur in the Menu, and this summarised in the Control Summary.
Filter
While upsampling a CD or playing an SACD, the P8i offers a choice of 4 filters. The filters offer different trade-offs between signal bandwidth and out-of-band noise level (which is inherent in the 1-bit nature of DSD).
Filter 1 is the usual setting, giving the widest bandwidth (about 70kHz) with the highest level of out-
of-band noise.
Filter 2 gives a slightly narrower bandwidth with a lower level of out-of-band noise. Filter 3 gives a slightly narrower bandwidth again and less out-of-band noise than Filter 2. Filter 4 is intended for troubleshooting, not listening – it has a very low level of out-of-band noise
and a 20kHz bandwidth.
Selecting the best filter for your system is simply a matter of cycling through Filters 1, 2 and 3 as you play a disc and choosing the one that you think sounds best. The best choice will depend on your system, the tonal qualities of the music and your taste.
To choose a filter press the Menu button and cycle through the menu with the Step Back or Step
Forward button until Filter is displayed. Now press the Select button repeatedly to scroll through the
different filter options.
Phase
This option allows you to invert (reverse the phase of) both channels to correct a phase error in the source data.
Layer (CD, SACD)
While playing a hybrid disc, the SACD layer is played by default. The Layer page allows you to select either the CD or SACD layer. While changing layers and re-reading the disc, Loading... is displayed.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011
Source
This page allows you to use the P8i as a DAC to convert data from external sources (such as a DVD player or DAB radio) to analogue. There are 3 settings:
Disc – the unit operates as a CD/SACD player.
AES – the unit accepts digital data at 32, 44.1 or 48kS/s from the AES input.
RCA - the unit accepts digital data at 32, 44.1 or 48kS/s from the RCA input.
When using the AES or RCA digital inputs, the CD controls are disabled. If you need to
!
When the digital inputs are in use, the menu sequence changes as shown on pa ge 15.
Brightness
This adjusts the brightness of the main display, with settings between 15 (brightest) and 0 (display off, unless something is touched).
The button illumination turns off when the display brightness is 0 and stays on at settings 1 to 15.
Output Level
eject a disc, return the Player to Disc mode.
The Output levels should be set to suit your system – there are two levels: 6V (high) or 2V (low). The difference between the two settings is 9.5dB.
For best results, the P8i volume control should be set to no lower than –20.00dB for normal listening levels with typical music. We suggest that you start with 2V and increase the level to 6V if this is inadequate. Note that the 6V setting might be enough to overload the inputs of some preamplifiers.
Reduce the volume before changing the output level to 6V – the extra 9.5dB is noticeably louder.
Digital Outputs
This option allows you to turn the Digital & W/Clock Outputs Off or On.
Upsampling
This option allows you to turn the DSD upsampling Off or On when playing CDs.
Word Clock (WClk)
This shows the status of the Word Clock Input, displaying WClk : Locked when the unit is locked to an external Word Clock signal or WClk : Inactive if not.
Issue
This displays the issue number of the software fitted to your unit.
Serial Number
This displays the full unit serial number, including the hardware configuration code.
Contact Details
This displays our email address and web-site URL.
CDUpdate
This page allows new software to be loaded, instructions will be supplied with the update disc. No further P8i updates are planned.
Exit
Select this page to close the menu and return to the normal display.
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

Service and Maintenance

dCS audio products are designed not to need regular maintenance, and contain no user serviceable parts apart from the main fuse. If your unit is damaged in any way, please contact your dealer or dCS.

Mains Fuse

There is a mains fuse below the power inlet, accessible from the outside of the unit. If the fuse blows, it may be changed by the user. The current consumption of the unit is very low, so it only blows if power surges occur, or there is a fault in the unit. Usually power surges cause no other damage, but if the fuse blows repeatedly on replacement, some other damage will have been done and the unit must be returned to dCS for repair.
Fuse type: 20 x 5mm 0.5 amp T HRC fuse
If the fuse should fail, it is essential that it is replaced with one of the same type and
!
rating. Failure to do so could result in damage to the unit, risk of fire or electric shock and will invalidate any warranty.

Replacing a Blown Fuse

Referring to the diagram below, remove the power cable, use a small flat bladed screwdriver to pry up the tab on the fuse carrier (A) and pull it out. Push the blown fuse out of the clip in the carrier (B) and dispose of it. Fit a new fuse in the clip (C) and push the carrier back into the unit so that it clicks home. Spare fuses are provided with the unit.
B
A
C

Obtaining Service

The original manufacturer’s warranty for all P8i units has expired. This upgrade is being supported as a service repair, with a parts & labour warranty term that will be set when either your unit is upgraded for you or an upgraded unit is sold on a pre-owned basis. Service warranties are not transferable, and do not cover shipping charges or tax/duty.
Should you encounter a problem, contact your authorised dCS dealer or national distributor for advice, quoting the model (P8i Mk2), the full serial number, software version number, and giving a detailed description of the fault. Your dealer will advise you fully on actions that need to be taken. When returning a unit, the original packaging should be used to avoid transit damage. Replacement packaging sets may be purchased from dCS.
Manual filename: dCS P8i User Guide v2_0x.docx English version www.dcsltd.co.uk
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dCS P8i Mk2 User Guide Guide for Software Issue 2.0x Data Conversion Systems Ltd. March 2011

Operating Conditions

The supply voltage must remain within +/-10% of the A.C. voltage specified on the back panel.
The supply frequency must be in the range 49Hz to 62Hz.
Ambient temperature range: 0°C (32°F) to 40°C (104°F), non-condensing.
Do not install the unit near heat sources such as radiators, air ducts, power amplifiers or direct
strong sunlight.
If in doubt, the easy test is – the unit is happy to work anywhere a human is.

If you need more help

In the first instance, you should contact your dealer. If they cannot resolve the issue, contact your national distributor or fill in the enquiry form at www.dcsltd.co.uk/page/support
Manufactured by:
Data Conversion Systems Ltd. Unit 1, Buckingway Business Park, Anderson Road, Swavesey, Cambridge. CB24 4AE UK
www.dcsltd.co.uk
.
This User Manual may be downloaded free of charge from our web-site. A bound copy of this guide may be ordered from dCS.
Manual filename: dCS P8i User Guide v2_0x.docx English version www.dcsltd.co.uk
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