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
Page 2
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
Manual filename: dCS P8i User Guide v2_0x.docx
English version www.dcsltd.co.uk
Page 3
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.
Manual filename: dCS P8i User Guide v2_0x.docx
English version www.dcsltd.co.uk
Page 4
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.
Manual filename: dCS P8i User Guide v2_0x.docx
English version www.dcsltd.co.uk
Page 5
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.
Manual filename: dCS P8i User Guide v2_0x.docx
English version www.dcsltd.co.uk
Page 6
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