DCS Vivaldi Transport User Manual
dCS Vivaldi Transport
Upsampling CD / SACD Transport
User Manual
Software Release 1.2x
April 2015
© Data Conversion Systems Ltd. 2012 - 2015
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 cla ims for damages.
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice, 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
F
Price UK £10.00
F. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this
dCS Vivaldi Transport User Manual Software Issue 1.2x
April 2015
Vivaldi Transport Manual v1_2x Page 2 English version
dCS Vivaldi Transport User Manual Software Issue 1.2x
April 2015
Contents
0BUsing the dCS Vivaldi Transport for the first time .............................................................................. 5
7BWhat’s in the box? 5
8BPositioning the unit 5
9BCondensation 6
Safety Notice 6
Laser Radiation 6
12BWhich types of disc can be played? 7
13BWhich types of disc can NOT be played? 7
1BStep-by-Step Guide ................................................................................................................................ 8
14BPreliminaries 8
15BSTEP 1 – Connecting a Digital Output 9
46BConnecting the Dual AES interface 9
47BConnecting the AES3 or an SPDIF output 10
48BConnecting the SDIF-2 interface 10
16BSTEP 2 – Choosing a Sync Mode 11
49BUsing the DAC in Master Mode 11
Using a Master Clock 12
17BSTEP 3 – Playing a Disc 13
18BFurther suggestions 13
Front Panel ............................................................................................................................................ 14
19BRemote Control Receiver 14
20BDisplay 14
21BPower Button 15
22BMenu Button 15
Layer Button 16
24BPlay / Pause Button 16
25BRwd Button 16
26BFwd Button 16
27BStop / Eject Button 16
28BCD Tray 16
Rear Panel ............................................................................................................................................. 17
29BAES Digital Outputs 17
30BSPDIF Digital Outputs 17
31BSDIF-2 Digital Interface 17
32BWord Clock Input / Output 17
Test interface 18
Mains inlet 18
Label 18
4BThe Menu ............................................................................................................................................... 19
Using the Menu 20
INFORMATION Menu 21
Unit Status 21
Version 21
Contact 21
Update 21
TRANSPORT SETTINGS Menu 22
Layer 22
PCM Enable 22
Upsampling Mode 22
RS232 Mode 22
CONFIGURATION Menu 23
Settings Lock 23
Save Configuration 23
Restore Configuration 23
Factory Reset 23
DISPLAY SETTINGS Menu 23
Brightness 23
Display On/Off 23
39BGENERATOR Menu 24
Channel Check 24
Phase Check 24
Burn In 24
Vivaldi Transport Manual v1_2x Page 3 English version
dCS Vivaldi Transport User Manual Software Issue 1.2x
April 2015
5BSpecification ......................................................................................................................................... 25
6BMaintenance and Support .................................................................................................................... 26
Service and Maintenance 26
Replacing a Blown Mains Fuse 26
Cleaning the case 26
43BLimited Warranty 27
44BIf you need more help 28
45BSoftware History 28
Index ...................................................................................................................................................... 29
Vivaldi Transport Manual v1_2x Page 4 English version
dCS Vivaldi Transport User Manual Software Issue 1.2x
April 2015
0BUSING THE dCS VIVALDI TRANSPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME
Congratulations on purchasing your dCS Vivaldi Transport.
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 will release updated software on CD that you can install yourself using the
Update feature. Please check our web-site occasionally to see if new Vivaldi software is available, or
consult your dealer.
7BWhat’s in the box?
Check that the box contains the following items:
• dCS Vivaldi Transport
• Manual and Menu Guide
• Power cable
• AES cable
• BNC 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 this is not possible, replacement packaging can be
ordered from dCS or our distributors. Details can be found on our web site at www.dcsltd.co.uk
H.
A dCS Premium remote control is supplied with the Vivaldi DAC, it is available as an optional extra.
8BPositioning the unit
For best sound quality, the units in the Vivaldi range are designed to be mounted on separate shelves
of a rack, although they may be stacked directly on top of each other if this is absolutely necessary.
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 unit is supplied with 4 feet fitted. If you prefer a 3-feet layout, unscrew the two back feet, remove
the two black cores using a 2.5mm A/F Allen key, fit one of the cores in the middle position and
replace the foot. Take care not to cross-thread the foot!
With all feet screwed fully home, the unit will sit level on a flat surface. If you need to do
any levelling, you can unscrew any of the feet up to 3 complete turns, to give up to 3mm
(1/8”) of height adjustment.
Vivaldi Transport Manual v1_2x Page 5 English version
dCS Vivaldi Transport User Manual Software Issue 1.2x
April 2015
9BCondensation
If the Transport is cold and is moved into a warm room, condensation will form inside the unit. This
interferes with normal operation. Remove the Transport from its packaging and let it stand for 1-2
hours, to allow it to reach room temperature and the condensation to evaporate.
Safety Notice
Your dCS Vivaldi Transport 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 decide to remove safety covers for any reason, disconnect the power cable first.
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.
Protect the product from dripping or splashing liquids. Liquid-filled objects such as vases
must not be placed on the product.
This product is lead-free and complies 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 Vivaldi Transport 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.
Laser Radiation
dCS Vivaldi Transport 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 case should only be opened by authorised service personnel. The case protects the
user from indirect exposure to visible and invisible laser radiation, as well as risk of
electric shock.
Vivaldi Transport Manual v1_2x Page 6 English version
dCS Vivaldi Transport User Manual Software Issue 1.2x
April 2015
12BWhich types of disc can be played?
Commercially manufactured CDs can be played if they:
• are 12cm or 8cm round discs
• are recorded with linear PCM digital audio data
• carry the Compact Disc Digital Audio logo and meet the “Red-Book” standard.
Commercially manufactured single-layer SACDs or hybrid SACD/CD discs can be
played if they:
• are 12cm or 8cm round discs
• are recorded with DSD digital audio data on the SACD layer
• carry the Super Audio CD logo and meet the “Scarlet-Book” standard.
CD-R
CD-RW
13BWhich types of disc can NOT be played?
dCS cannot accept responsibility for any difficulty encountered while attempting to play the following
types of disc:
• Scratched, damaged or dirty discs.
• Non-circular “discs”, such as square or h eart-shaped.
• Printed or labelled CD-Rs or discs contaminated with glue or other sticky substances.
!
• DVD, CD-G, CD-EXTRA, PHOTO CD, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.
• Discs recorded with digital audio data that is not in CD-format (e.g. FLAC or WAV files).
• Copy-protected discs that do not conform to the “Red-Book” CD standard may not play correctly or
may not play at all. Such discs are not CDs – they are optical discs that have been recorded with
digital audio data. They should not carry the Compact Disc Digital Audio logo – but some do. If you
encounter any difficulty playing such discs, please contact the disc manufacturer and demand a
genuine CD in exchange.
CD-R or CD-RW discs recorded with audio data in CD format may be playable, but
this depends on the disc, the software and the burner used to record on the disc.
dCS cannot accept responsibility for any difficulty encountered while attempting to
play such discs.
Contaminated discs may get stuck to the turntable inside the unit. If this happens, a
service charge will be made for removing the disc and repairing any damage.
Vivaldi Transport Manual v1_2x Page 7 English version
dCS Vivaldi Transport User Manual Software Issue 1.2x
April 2015
1BSTEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
This section guides you through setting up the unit for basic operation.
14BPreliminaries
The Menu Guide sheet details the menu structure.
For digital interfaces, use with cables designed for digital audio:
• for AES/EBU interfaces use 110Ω screened, twisted pair cables fitted with one male XLR
connector and one female XLR connector.
• for SDIF, Word Clock or SPDIF BNC interfaces, use 75Ω coax cables fitted with BNC plugs.
SDIF-2 and Word Clock interfaces require a simple DC-coupled connection. The
!
• for SPDIF RCA interfaces, use 75Ω coax cables fitted with RCA Phono plugs.
Connect the power cable supplied to the power inlet on the Transport rear panel, plug the other end
into a convenient power outlet.
interfaces may malfunction or not work at all if capacitor coupled cables or cables with
built-in networks are used.
Please do not use an excessively heavy or inflexible power cable as this may damage
!
Set the rocker switch near the mains inlet to the I position. Press the Power button – the unit will
display Vivaldi Transport. Wait about 30 seconds while the Transport configures itself.
If the unit is likely to be set in an unfamiliar state, you can run the Factory Reset routine by pressing
the buttons in this sequence: Menu, ►, ►, Menu, ◄, ◄, Menu.
Wait a few seconds while the unit resets itself.
the power inlet connector.
The cables supplied with the unit are “commercial grade”, because most owners will
have their own “audiophile grade” cables or will prefer to make their own cable choices.
Vivaldi Transport Manual v1_2x Page 8 English version
dCS Vivaldi Transport User Manual Software Issue 1.2x
April 2015
15BSTEP 1 – Connecting a Digital Output
Whether you are playing a CD or an SACD, the AES1+2 interface carries DSD data and all of the
PCM outputs carry 16/44.1 PCM data. Most owners connect the AES1+2 interface only, but some
prefer to listen to CDs in the native 16 bit 44.1kS/s format.
46BConnecting the Dual AES interface
When used with a Vivaldi DAC, AES1+2 is the main output.
• Connect the AES1 output on the Transport to the AES1 input on the Vivaldi DAC rear panel and
the AES2 output to the AES2 input, using two XLR cables. Ensure the cables are not swapped.
• Press the DAC’s Input button repeatedly until AES1+2 is displayed.
The DAC will lock to the source, displaying the Audio Sync icon and DSD.
Analogue
outputs
to Amplifier
Figure 1 – Basic setup
You can connect the Transport to the DAC’s AES3+4 input if you wish, but this input has
special features which are intended for use with the Vivaldi Upsampler.
Vivaldi Transport Manual v1_2x Page 9 English version
Loading...