DCS (AUDIO) DELIUS User Manual

dCS Delius

Stereo Digital to Analogue Converter

User Manual

Software Release 2.3x

September 2004

© dCS Ltd. 1999 - 2004 Price UK £17.50 / Euro 25.00

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or
introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means
(electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior

written permission of dCS

relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims
for damages.

1

. Any person who does any unauthorised act in

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.

dCS Delius User Manual Manual for Software Issue 2.3x
dCS Ltd September 2004

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dCS Delius User Manual Manual for Software Issue 2.3x
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PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The dCS Delius is derived from our award winning dCS Elgar Plus, the world’s
first 24/192-DSD audiophile D/A converter. Delius has been designed to closely
approach the ultimate performance level of Elgar Plus, consistent with a lower

parts cost.

All dCS DACs feature our patented d CS Ring DAC technology. This unveils the
intricate low level musical detail that is dCS’ hallmark.

Delius will accept digital data at 44.1kS/s from your CD player and interpolate
the 16 bits, giving your CD collection a new lease of life. Delius will also convert

24 bit 96kS/s data from DVD players, revealing the increased depth and
spaciousness inherent in the more complex source information. With the current

software version, Delius also has the ability to act as a master clock for your

transport, increasing the clocking precision of the overall system.

Units fitted with the IEEE 1394 interface option can convert DSD data (a single
bit data stream, sampled at 2.822MS/s) from a suitably equipped Upsampler or
SACD player to extra wide-band audio, taking advantage of the extended
bandwidth inherent in the DSD format.

All dCS DACs use the same digital processing engine running the same DSP
code. The extensive use of programmable logic makes dCS products extremely
flexible and easy to upgrade. You can load updated Delius software from a dCS
CD using a CD player, or dCS service agents can download software to the

SUC port, using a PC.

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FREDERICK DELIUS (1862 –1934)

The dCS Delius is named after Frederick Delius, the English composer. Fritz

Theodor Albert Delius was born of German parents in Bradford, Yorkshire on
January 29
“Frederick” in 1902.

His father, a wool merchant, encouraged him to play the piano and violin,
although he had other plans for his son’s career. After college, Fritz represented
his father’s business for three years, travelling through Sweden, Norway,
France and Germany. This lifestyle gave Delius an enduring cosmopolitan and
romantic outlook that is reflected in his musical style.

His consuming interest in music developed, to the detriment of his
responsibilities to his father’s wool business. In frustration, his father sent him to
manage his orange plantation near Jacksonville, Florida, USA . Young Fritz was
deeply affected by the singing of the local slaves and the beauty of the unspoilt

Florida scenery. This environment was the inspiration for his Florida Suite. He

bought a piano and concentrated on his music, at the expense of the orange­growing business.

th

, 1862. He changed his name to the more English-sounding

In 1885 at the age of 23, Fritz spent a year teaching music in Danville, Virginia.
The following year, he finally persuaded his father to finance his musical studies
at Leipzig Conservatory, where he met and became fast friends with Edvard
Grieg, the Norwegian composer.

He moved to Paris in 1888, where he found himself among kindred spirits such

as Ravel and Gauguin. His love of the city inspired him to write Paris: The
Song of a Great City.

In 1897, he and German artist Jekla Rosen settled in the quiet village of Grez­sur-Loing, near the forest of Fontainbleau, in France. They married seven years
later. Delius’ music was brought to the British public by the conductor Sir
Thomas Beecham.

The major influences on Delius’ work were the everglades of Florida, the cool
green forests of northern Europe and the snowy fjords of Norway, a passion he
shared with Grieg. He loved the tranquillity of the countryside, normally avoiding
the bustling cities, except for his extended sojourn in Paris. His love of nature is

epitomised in pieces such as On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, Brigg

Fair: an English Rhapsody, Over the Hills and Far Aw ay, In a Summer
Garden, Summer Night on the River, Sea Drift and A Song Before
Sunrise. His stage works include Koanga, a love story strongly influenced by

Afro-American song and dance.

During the First World War, Frederick and Jelka were forced to retreat from their
idyllic Grez to take refuge in England and Norway. After the war, they returned
to Grez, and his work continued apace.

In 1922, Delius displayed the first symptoms of infection with syphilis. This
marked the beginning of a slow physical degeneration, leading to blindness and
paralysis in his later years. His mind was undimmed by his illness, and he
continued composing. Six years later, he was reduced to dictating to his
assistant, composer Eric Fenby. His work during this difficult period is widely
considered to be some of his best.

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His illness also took its toll on Jelka, the strain of caring for him ruined her
health. Frederick Delius died on June 10
devoted Jelka. He was buried in Limpsfield, Surrey, England.

Recommended recordings

Delius – Orchestral Works

Florida Suite / Over the Hills and Far Away
English Northern Philharmonia
Naxos 553535

Delius: Paris / Brigg Fair / Eventyr / Irmelin / La Calinda

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Myer Fredman
Naxos 553001

Delius: Brigg Fair / Dance Rhapsody No.2 / Two Pieces

Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham
Angel Classics 67553

Beecham Conducts Delius

Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham
EMI CDS 7 47509 2

th

1934 in Grez, attended by his

Delius – Orchestral Works

EMI Classics ZDMB 5 65119 2

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CONTENTS

Product Overview..............................................................................................3

Frederick Delius (1862 –1934) ..........................................................................4

Recommended recordings 5

Contents.............................................................................................................6

About this Manual 9

What does the coloured text mean? 9
About Sample Rates x 9

Step-by-Step Guide .........................................................................................10

Preliminaries 10
Step 1 – Selecting a Digital Input 11

Connecting to a Single AES or SPDIF source 11
Connecting to a Dual AES Source x 11
Connecting to an IEEE 1394 DSD Source 11

Step 2 – Connecting the Analogue Outputs 12

Using a preamplifier x 12
Using a power amplifier directly x 12

Step 3 - Setting the Output Level 13
Step 4 - Using Delius in Master Mode 14
Other Settings 15

Typical Applications........................................................................................16

Using a 1394-Equipped Delius in Master Mode with Verdi 16
Using a 1394-Equipped Delius and Purcell with Verdi 17
Using a Standard Delius and Purcell with a CD Player 18

The Software – The Menu...............................................................................20

Using the Function Menu 21

Opening the Menu 21
Types of Menu Page 21
Closing the Menu 21

Menu Sequence 22

Filter – Anti-Imaging Filter Setting 22

Selecting a Filter x 22

MS – Master/Slave Operation 23

Setting to Master Mode x 23

Mute - Mute Fade Time 24
Fade – Fade Behaviour After Re-Lock 24
Dual AES – Dual AES Mode 25
Swap - Swap Channels 26
Disp - Default Display 26
Out - Output Level 26
Bright x - Display Brightness 27
Phase – Overall Phase 27
De-Emph - De-Emphasis Behaviour 27
Balance - Channel Balance Using Rotary Knob 28
Bal Mode - Balance Information Display 28
Global – Global/Local Volume 28
TimeOut – Menu Time Out Setting 29
PLL - PLL Tracking bandwidth 29
NAud - Non Audio Muting 29

Override Non-Audio Muting x 29
Disabling Non-Audio Muting x 30
Restoring Non-Audio Muting x 30

Ch.Check - Channel Check Test 30
Ph.Check - Phase Check Test 30

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Burn In - Burn-In Signal Generation 31
Test - Display Test 32
Issue – Software Issue State 32
Temp – Unit Internal Temperature 32
Serial – Unit Serial Number 32
Contact - Contact information 32
CDUpdate – Software Update By CD 33
Factory – Restoring Factory Defaults 35
Rst Sync – Setting all Inputs to Slave Mode 35

The Hardware – Controls and Connectors ...................................................36

Front Panel 36

Key to Front Panel 36

Power Button x 36
Input Button (
Mute Button (

Status Indicator x 37
Remote Control Sensor x 37

Main Display x x 38

Input Indicator x 38

Function Button (
Rotary Control x 38

Rear Panel 39

Key to Rear Panel 39
Balanced Analogue Outputs 39
Unbalanced Analogue Outputs 40
AES/EBU Digital Inputs 40
SPDIF Digital Inputs 40

Toslink and ST Optical Inputs 40
REC Digital Output 41
1394 Interface 41
Wordclock Digital Input / Output 41
SUC 41

IEC Power Inlet 42
Mains Fuse 42
Additional Information 42

Remote Control 43

Standby Button 43
Function Button 43
Input Selector Buttons 44
Vol/Bal Button 44
Mute Button 44
Purcell Button and LED 44
Phase Button 44
Filter Button 44
Display button 44

Up and Down (

↑ / ↓) buttons 44

Step Back)36
Step)37

Select)38

Delius Technical Information...........................................................................46

Converter Type 46
Digital Interface Specifications 46
Sample Rates 47
Frequency Response (set to Filter 1) 47
Volume Control 48
Balance Control 48
De-Emphasis 48
Analogue Outputs 48
Clocking 48

Synchronising to source x 48

Power requirements 49
Size and Weight 49
Operating Conditions 49

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General Technical Information.......................................................................50

IEEE 1394 Overview 50

Synchronising IEEE 1394 interfaces 50
Automatic Input Selection 50

dCS IR Remote Control Codes 52

Upsampler 52
DACs 53
Transports 54

Using your dCS Delius for the first time..........................................................56

What’s in the Box? 56
Safety Notice 56
Mains Voltage Setting 57
Positioning the Unit 57

Options.............................................................................................................58

IEEE 1394 Interface 58
Mains Supply Voltage 58
Having Your Options Changed 58

Maintenance and Support...............................................................................60

Service & Maintenance 60

Obtaining Service 60

Mains Fuse 60

Replacing a Blown Fuse x 60

Fitting or Replacing the Batteries in the Remote Control 61

Opening the battery compartment and removing batteries 61
Fitting new batteries and closing the case 61

Updating your Delius 62

Software Updates x 62
Hardware Updates x 62

Safety and Electrical Safety 63
Cleaning the Case 63

Troubleshooting ..............................................................................................64

Fault Indication 64

Power interruption 64
Power up test errors 64
Non-Audio disk 64
The unit is overheating 64

Troubleshooting Guide 65

The unit fails to power up 65
The unit fails to lock to a digital audio source or displays “No Input” 65
The unit locks but the audio output is low or absent 65
The output is monophonic 65
The unit fails to respond to the controls 66
The Main Display turns on briefly when a control is operated, then turns off 66
The Left and Right channels are swapped 66
One audio output channel is low or absent 66
The sound has a peculiar tonal balance 66
Crackles or pops occur while playing music 67
Erratic operation when locked to 96 or 88.2kS/s on Toslink or ST inputs 67
The unit will not decode Dual AES 67
The unit drops out of Dual AES mode into AES1 or AES2 67
A digital recorder fails to record from the REC Output 67
The Remote Control fails to control the unit 68
While playing a DVD, a burst of noise is heard, Delius mutes and changes
sample rate 68

CD Update is interrupted or fails 68
CD Update is interrupted and fails to recover 68

Troubleshooting the IEEE 1394 Interface 69

Upsampler or Transport displays “Inactive”69
The Unit keeps displaying “No Comms” 69
The Unit keeps displaying “Search..” 69
The DAC displays “Verdi Wordclock Missing” 69
The DAC displays “Missing Wordclock between Clk Out & Verdi Clk In” 69

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The DAC displays “Please check source slaved to DAC Wordclock Out” 69
The DAC displays “Wrong Wordclock @ Verdi Clk In” 69
The DAC remains muted 70
The DAC takes a long time to unmute 70

If You Need More Help ....................................................................................71

Other Information 71

Indexes and Software Version Numbers.......................................................72

Software History 72
Definitions and Abbreviations 73
Key to Cable Identification 74
List of Tables 75
List of Figures 75
Keywords and Phrases 76

About this Manual

If you have not used a Delius before, please read the section “Using your dCS
Delius for the first time” on page 56.

This manual has been arranged with the most commonly used sections placed
first:

• table of contents (page 6)

• step-by-step (page 10) and applications guides (page 16)

• detailed software and hardware information (page 20)

• technical information (page 46)

• information for first time users (page 56)

• options, maintenance and troubleshooting (page 58)

• index section (page 72)

What does the coloured text mean?

If you are reading a colour print or a soft copy of this manual, you will notice that
some types of text are in colour:

• Brown text in bold is a reference to another section or page. Sometimes, if

you are reading a soft copy of the manual, page numbers are hyperlinks –
click on them and you will go there.

• Blue text is used for controls and connectors, described in the hardware

section.

White text in bold on black is used for alternative control functions, such

•

as menu operation.

• Pink text is a menu page or setting.

• Green text in bold shows what appears on the display.

• Purple text in bold is used for indicators.

IMPORTANT! Important information is presented like th is - ignoring this may cause yo u to

damage the unit, or invalidate the warranty.

The manual is designed to be helpful. If there are points you feel we could cover
better, or that we have missed out - please tell us.

About Sample Rates x

All references to sample rates in this manual use the unit kS/s (kilo Samples per
second) rather than the technically incorrect kHz.

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STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

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

find this useful if you have not used the Delius for a while.

Preliminaries

The Control Summary sheet details the menu structure and outlines the use of

the front panel controls. For more information, see the Menu section on page

20.

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, Wordclock or SPDIF BNC interfaces, use 75Ω coax cables fitted

with BNC plugs.

• for SPDIF RCA interfaces, use 75Ω coax cables fitted with RCA Phono

plugs.

• for TOSLINK optical interfaces, use Toslink fibre-optic cables.

• for IEEE 1394 interfaces, use the IEEE 1394 cable provided with the unit.

For analogue inputs / outputs, use with screened cables of the correct type:

• for balanced inputs / outputs, use screened, twisted pair cables fitted with

one male XLR connector and one female XLR connector.

• for unbalanced inputs / outputs, use coax cables fitted with RCA Phono

plugs.

do this: Connect the power cable supplied to the Power inlet on the Delius rear panel,

plug the other end into a convenient power outlet.

IMPORTANT! Please do not use an excessively thick power cable as this may damage the

power inlet connector.

do this: Press the Power button and wait about 30 seconds while Delius configures

itself.

The display will show in sequence: Delius, Testing ... and No Input.

If the unit is likely to be set in an unfamiliar state, you can reset it as follows:

do this: Press the Function button once, then press the Input button repeatedly until

the display shows Factory. Press the

reboots.

The PWR, MUTE and one of the input indicators will be lit.

Select button and wait while the unit

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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 of the following three sections:

Connecting to a Single AES or SPDIF source

Most source equipment (such as CD transports, DVD players) is fitted with a
single wire digital output, usually on an RCA phono connector.

do this: Connect your source equipment to the matching input on the Delius rear panel

using a suitable cable.

do this: Press the Input button repeatedly until your chosen input is displayed on the

input indicator, to the right of the display. This will be either AES 1, AES 2,

RCA1, RCA2, TOS, or BNC.

The unit will lock to the source, displaying in sequence Locking, d xxx (the
sample rate) then the default display (probably 16/44, depending on the Disp

menu setting and the source format).

Connecting to a Dual AES Source x

do this: Check that your source equipment is capable of Dual AES operation.
do this: Connect the AES 1 (or AES A) output on your source equipment to the AES 1

input on the Delius rear panel and the AES 2 (or AES B) output to the AES 2

input, using two XLR cables. Ensure the cables are not swapped.

do this: Press the Input button repeatedly until both AES 1 and AES 2 input indicators

are lit.

The unit will lock to the source, displaying in sequence Locking, d xxx (the
BASE sample rate) then the default display (probably 24/192 depending on the

Disp menu setting and the source format).

Connecting to an IEEE 1394 DSD Source

(This section applies to units fitted with the IEEE 1394 interface option.)

do this: Check that your source equipment (probably an SACD player or a dCS

Upsampler) is capable of DSD operation over a 1394 link, generates a 44.1kHz
wordclock and is set up correctly.

do this: Connect one 1394 output on your source equipment to one 1394 input on the

Delius rear panel. Also connect the wordclock output on your source equipment
to the Wordclock In connector on the Delius rear panel.

do this: Press the Input button repeatedly until the 1394 input indicator is lit.

The unit may display Wait ..., No-WClk or Search.. messages before finally
settling down to the source name (probably Purcell or Verdi). If necessary, use
the Input button to select the 1394 source you want to listen to. You may find
Delius settles more quickly if you set it to 1394 mode before setting the source

to DSD mode (or switching the source on).

do this: Proceed to Step 2.

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Step 2 – Connecting the Analogue Outputs

Choose one of the following two sections:

Using a preamplifier x

do this: Set the preamplifier volume control to minimum.
do this: Connect either the balanced (XLR connectors) or unbalanced (RCA phono

connectors) outputs on Delius rear panel to matching line level inputs on your

preamplifier (probably labelled CD or AUX).

do this: Turn Delius rotary control clockwise to set the Volume to maximum (Vol 0.0 on

the display).

do this: Slowly increase the preamplifier volume until the music is at the right level.

Using a power amplifier directly x

do this: Turn Delius rotary control counter-clockwise to set the Volume to minimum

(Vol -60.0 on the display).

do this: Connect either the balanced (XLR connectors) or unbalanced (RCA phono

connectors) outputs on Delius rear panel to matching inputs on your power

amplifier. Switch on the power amplifier.

do this: Turn Delius rotary control slowly clockwise until the music is at the right level.

A basic setup with a CD player is shown in Figure 1.

do this: Proceed to Step 3.

DIGITAL OUT

16 bit

44.1kS/s

ANALOGUE OUTPUTS DIGITAL INPUTS POWER

L R

L R

Balanced

Outputs

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

WORDCLOCK

AES1 AES2

L

R RCA2

R L

Unbalanced

- or ­Outputs

L

R

PUSH

RCA1

PUSH

Hand Crafted by

The Red Hot CD Player Co.

DIGITAL OUT

BNC

ST

TOSLINK

REC

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

SUC

1394

1

Figure 1 – Basic setup with a CD player

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Step 3 - Setting the Output Level

If the preamplifier volume setting for a comfortable listening level is too high or

too low, you may need to change the Output Level setting. Similarly, if you are
driving a power amplifier directly and Delius Volume setting for a comfortable

listening level is higher than –10.0 or lower than –20.0 try changing the Output

Level setting.

IMPORTANT! Do not play music at a high level while changing the Output Level setting.

do this: Press the Function button once, then press the Mute button repeatedly until

the display shows Out:2V or Out:6V. If the Volume setting is too high, press
the Select button to change to Out:2V. If the Volume setting is too low, press

Select button to change to Out:6V.

the

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Step 4 - Using Delius in Master Mode

If your CD transport (or other source equipment sampling at 44.1kS/s) has a

Wordclock input, you can reduce the jitter in your system by using Delius in

Master mode and slaving the source to it. If not, you can miss out this step.

IMPORTANT! You can only use Master Mode if your source sample rate is 44.1kS/s.

do this: Connect Delius Wordclo ck Out connector to the wordclock input on the source

equipment. You may need to set the source equipment to slave to wordclock.

do this: Press the Function button to open the menu, then repeatedly press the Mute

button until the display shows MS:Slav. Press the

Select button repeatedly until

the display changes to MS:Mastr.

do this: Allow the menu to time-out.

IMPORTANT! If you are using an Upsampler, this MUST be set to convert a 44.1kS/s source

to either 44.1kS/s, 88.2kS/s, 176.4kS/s or DSD. If not, Delius will be unable
to lock.

The equipment will take several seconds to re-lock and settle down, then Delius

will unmute.

A Master mode setup using a CD player is shown in Figure 2.

DIGITAL OUT

16 bit

44.1kS/s

ANALOGUE OUTPUTS DIGITAL INPUTS POWER

L R

L R

Balanced

Outputs

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

WORDCLOCK

AES1 AES2

L

R RCA2

PUSH

R L

Unbalanced

- or ­Outputs

L

R

Hand Crafted by

The Red Hot CD Player Co.

44.1kS/s

Wordclock

DIGITAL OUT

BNC

ST

RCA1

PUSH

TOSLINK

REC

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

Figure 2 – Using Master Mode with a CD player

SUC

1394

1

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Other Settings

The basic set-up procedure is complete.

Many more features are available through the Menu. See the Menu section

starting on page 20 for more information.

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TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

Using a 1394-Equipped Delius in Master Mode with Verdi

This setup allows you to play SACDs through the 1394 interface and CDs
through the AES1 interface, with Delius in Master Mode.

dCS Verdi SACD Transport

CAUTION: VI SIBLE AND INVISIB LE
LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN,

DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.

AES 2 AES 3

AES 1

XLR

cable

ANALOGUE OUTPUTS DIGITAL INPUTS POWER

LR

LR

XLR

AES1 AES2

L

R

RL

cables

Balanced

Outputs

- or -

Unbalanced

Outputs

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

Figure 3 – Using Delius in Master Mode with Verdi

RCA TOSLINK

BNC ST

PUSH

PUSH

RCA phono

cables

CLASS 1

LASER PRODUCT

SDIF

IN - WORD C L OCK - OUT

CH2

CH1

BNC

cable

DIGITAL OUT

REC

BNC

ST

RCA1

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

TOSLINK

RCA2

1394

1394

SUC

1

1394

cable

SUC

1

dCS Delius DAC

Connect up as shown above.

do this: Open Delius’ menu and run the Factory routine. Use the Input button to select

the AES 1 input. Set the MS page to MS:Mastr and wait for the unit to settle.

do this: Use the Input button to select the 1394 input wait for the unit to settle. Set the

MS menu page to MS:Mastr and wait for the unit to settle again.

do this: Use the Input button to select the AES1 input for playing CDs or the 1394

interface for playing SACDs.

Verdi v1.2x with Delius v2.2x will automatically select the right input.

do this: Use the Volume control to set a comfortable listening level. Open the menu

again and choose a different Filter if you wish.

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Using a 1394-Equipped Delius and Purcell with Verdi

This setup allows you to play SACDs and CDs through the 1394 interface,
upsampling the CDs to DSD with a Purcell. Delius is in Master Mode.

dCS Verdi SACD T ran sport

CAUTION: VI SIBLE AND INVISI BLE
LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN,

DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.

TOSLINK

ST

CH1

SDIF

IN - WORD C LOCK - OU T

BNC

BNC

IN - WORD C L OCK - OUT

BNC

cable

DIGITAL OUT

REC

RCA TOSLINK

AES 1

AES 2 AES 3

BNC ST

XLR

cable

DIGITAL INPUTS DIGITAL OUTPUTS POWER

RCA

AES RCA

PUSH

ANALOGUE OUTPUTS DIGITAL INPUTS POWER

LR

LR

XLR

ST

BNC

TOSLINK

L

R

cables

- or -

Unbalanced

Balanced

Outputs

WORDCLOCK

AB

IN

AES1 AES2

PUSH

RL

RCA phono

Outputs

OUT

PUSH

cables

AES1 AES2

RCA1

RCA2

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

CLASS 1

LASER PRODUCT

CH2

1394

OPTION

1394

1394

SUC

1

1394
cable

SUC

1

1394

cable

SUC

1

dCS Purcell Upsamp ler

dCS Delius DAC

Figure 4 - Using Delius in Master Mode with Verdi and Purcell

do this: Connect up as shown above.
do this: Open Delius’ and Purcell’s menu and run the Factory routines.

Purcell set-up:

do this: Use the Input button to select the AES 1 input. Use the Output button to select

44.1→→→→DSD.

Delius set-up:

do this: Use the Input button to select the 1394 input wait for the unit to settle. Set the

MS menu page to MS:Mastr and wait for the unit to settle again. Use the Input

button to select either the SACD feed (Verdi) or the upsampled CD feed
(Purcell).

Verdi v1.2x with Delius v2.2x will automatically select the active input.

do this: Use the Volume control to set a comfortable listening level. Open the menu

again and choose a different Filter if you wish.

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Using a Standard Delius and Purcell with a CD Player

If your Delius and Purcell are not 1394-equipped, you can still upsample the

output from a standard CD player to 24 bit 192kS/s.

DIGITAL OUT

WORD CLK IN

16 bits

44.1kS/s

DIGITAL INPUTS DIGITAL OUTPUTS POWER

RCA

AES RCA

PUSH

ANALOGUE OUTPUTS DIGITAL INPUTS POWER

L R

L R

Balanced

Outputs

ST A B

BNC

TOSLINK

L

R RCA2

R L

Unbalanced

- or -

WORDCLOCK

IN

AES1 AES2

PUSH

Outputs

OUT

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

PUSH

L

R

Hand Crafted by

The Red Hot CD Player Co.

AES1 AES2

24 bits

192kS/s

ST

RCA1

TOSLINK

BNC

BNC

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

DIGITAL OUT

REC

OPTION

1394

dCS Purcell Upsampler

SUC

1394

1

dCS Delius DAC

SUC

1

Figure 5 – Using Delius with Purcell and a CD player

do this: Connect up as shown above.

Purcell setup:

do this: Open the menu and run the Factory routine. You can connect any of Purcell’s

digital inputs to the CD player - use Purcell’s Input button to select it. Use the

Output button to set the 44.1→→→→192 conversion.

Delius setup:

do this: Open the menu, run the Factory and RstSync routines. Use the Input button to

select AES 1 AND AES 2 inputs. Use the Volume control to set a comfortable
listening level. Open the menu again and choose a different Filter if you wish.

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dCS Delius User Manual Manual for Software Issue 2.3x

g

-

-

y

x

dCS Ltd September 2004

THE SOFTWARE – THE MENU

Press "Fun ction St ep >" t o mov e along t he Menu, press "< Function Step" t o mov e back.
Press "Function Select" to set a menu option or change options.

Menu Filter x Master/Slave Mute: Fade Dual AES

First pa ge of t he

Menu

Select s an optio nal

filter if av ailable

Filter 1 MS:Mast Mute:Nor Fade:On Off
Filter 2 MS:Slav Mute:Fst Fade:Off On

.... MS:Sync Mute:Slw Auto

Filter n Lock

Changes the

behaviour of the

selected input

Sets the Mute fade-

out rate

De Emph Phase Bright x Out Disp Swap

Sets the

DeEmphasi s curv e

(32 - 48kS/s)

Off Phse:Nor Bright 7 Out: 2V Disp:Vol Swap:Off

Auto Phse:Inv .... Out: 6V Disp:Fs Swap:On

50/15us Bright 0 Disp:Fs+

CCITT Disp:Inp

Changes the out put

phase for b oth

channels

Sets the display

brightne ss

Sets the analogue

output levels

Audio fades up

during un muting

after relock

Sets the default

display

Enables Dual AES

operati on

Reverse the Left

and Right outputs

Balance Bal mode Global TimeOut PLL NAud

Allows Balance

adjustm ent by

rotary control

Sets the ba lance

display mode

Bal:Bar Vol:Glob Normal PLL:Fine NAud:Mut

Bal:Num Vol:Inp Long PLL:W ide NAud:I gn

Stores global or

input-related

settings

Sets the Function

Menu time-out

delay

Sets the PLL

tracki ng bandwidt h

Control s muti ng
when receivin
audio data (e.g. CD

Use with care!

Temp Issue Test Burn In Ph.Check Ch.Check

Displays the

internal

temper ature

Celsius 2.3x

Fahrenhe it Db 2.06

Displays the

software version

number

Runs a display test

routine

Outputs modulated

pink noise to burn-

in your system

CAUTION! LOUD!

Outputs n oise on

both chann els then

inverts R

Outputs tone on L

channel onl

Serial Contact CDUpdate Factory Rst Sync End

Displays the unit

full serial numb er

DEL-?-?-?-?-?

xx

Displays dCS email

address

= feature is not available in DSD mode

update from a dCS

Starts software

CD

Restores stan dard

factory settings

Resets all inputs to

Slav e mode

Closes the F uncti on

ROM)

then R

channel only

Menu

non

Figure 6 – Function Menu flow chart

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Using the Function Menu

The Function Menu gives the user access to a wide range of additional
features. It also allows new features and performance enhancements to be
added at a later date by software upgrades.

Opening the Menu

The Function Menu is controlled by three buttons:

Types of Menu Page

• the Function button opens the menu and doubles as the

Select button.

• the Step →→→→ button pages forward through the Menu – referred to in the text

as the

Step button.

• the ←←←← Step button pages backward through the Menu – referred to in the

text as the

Step Back button.

If you have a dCS Remote Control, you can use this to access the menu:

• the Function button opens the Menu and doubles as the

• the ↑↑↑↑ button pages forward through the Menu - the

• the ↓↓↓↓ button pages backward through the Menu - the

Select button.

Step button.

Step Back button.

• to control an Upsampler instead of a DAC, first press the Purcell button to

turn the blue LED on.

When you first open the Function Menu, the display will show Menu.

Successive presses of the

Step button page through the Menu. You cannot go

directly to any particular page, but must enter at the top of the Menu and then
page through until you reach the page you want.

There are three types of page in the Menu - Parameter Pages, Information
Pages and Test Pages.

Parameter pages allow the user to check and also change the current settings

of the operating parameters, for example Filter. When a parameter page is

displayed, the first press of the
Subsequent presses of the

Select button change the page setting.

Select button shows the current setting.

Information pages display information about the unit, for example Software

Issue. When an information page is displayed, pressing the

Select button

displays the information held on that page.

Test pages allow the user to initiate a number of useful routines, for example

Channel Chec k. When a Test page is displayed, pressing the

Select button

starts the test routine.

Closing the Menu

There are two ways to close the menu and return to normal operation. The
easiest way is to wait 5 seconds for the unit to time-out and revert to the
standard display. Alternatively, use the

display shows End and then press the

Step button to page forward until the

Select button once.

If the unit times out before the operation in hand has been completed, simply re­enter the menu, page forward (or backward) and continue where you left off. If
you find the 5 second time-out difficult to use, you can extend it to 30 seconds

by changing the TimeOut setting to Long.

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dCS Ltd September 2004

Menu Sequence

Use the flow chart (page 20) or the Control Summary sheet to guide you

through the Menu more quickly.

The following explanation deals with the Function Menu pages in the sequence
they occur in the Menu
with the last operation being closing the Menu. After you have become more
familiar with the Menu, you will find it more convenient to perform all the
Function Menu operations in one go before finally closing the Menu.

Filter

Filter – Anti-Imaging Filter Setting

FilterFilter

Delius offers a choice of 4 interpolation filters for 5 sample rates (32kS/s,

44.1kS/s, 48kS/s, 88.2kS/s and 96kS/s) and 6 for two (192kS/s and 176.4kS/s).
The filters offer differing responses. In each case, Filters 1-4 are symmetrical
filters (with time response before a transition the mirror image of time response

after). Filter 1 offers the sharpest cut-off, least Nyquist imaging but longest
energy smear. F ilter 4 gives the gentlest roll-off (usually with significant Nyquist
imaging) but the shortest transient response with least energy smear. Filter 5 is
a Gaussian filter, and Filter 6 is an asymmetrical filter – there is almost no time

response prior to the initial step.

For units fitted with a 1394 interface, DSD mode also offers four filters, but

these are intended to progressively reduce the out-of-band noise level. Filter 1

generally gives the widest bandwidth, but results are system dependent – if

your system gives undesirable effects with Filter 1, try (in this order) Filter 2
then Filter 3 then Filter 4. These reduce the out-of-band energy at the
expense of reduced bandwidth. Filter 4 is really intended for metering

applications, not for listening.

2

. The use of each page is shown on an individual basis,

Delius remembers the last filter selection made for every sample rate. So, if you
choose Filter 4 for 96kS/s and Filter 6 for 192kS/s, these separate settings will

be stored and loaded when the incoming sample rate changes (usually when
selecting a different input or changing the Upsampler settings).

Selecting a Filter x

We encourage you to experiment with the filters, to find the one that sounds
best for your particular application. Do not assume that one filter is best for all
applications!

3

do this: Assume for the purpose of this illustration that the sample rate is 96kS/s and

Filter is currently set to Filter 1. Open the Function Menu and step through

until the display shows Filter 1.

2

A minor software update may change the order of the menu items or add an option. If this happens, the

Control Summary sheet may be updated before the manual.

3

The reports we receive from users suggest that Filter 2 is well suited to some classical music, and that Filters

3 and sometimes 4 suit rock. Filters 5 and 6 are too new to have reports on, although the user may wish to
refer to “Effects in High Sample Rate Audio Material”, by M.J.Story, R.Kelly, D.A.McLeod, M.N.Harris,
presented at the 20
dCS web-site.

th

Tonmeister Tagung at Karlsruhe in November 1998. This paper is available from the

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dCS Delius User Manual Manual for Software Issue 2.3x
dCS Ltd September 2004

do this: Press the Select button slowly several times. The display will in turn show:

Filter 2, Filter 3, ... and finally Filter 1 again. Select the filter you want to use

then wait for the Function Menu to time-out.

There is a slight delay whilst the unit changes filters, during which it will not
respond to further button presses. Selecting the most appropriate filter is simply
a matter of flipping through the options as you play a CD and choosing the one
that you think sounds best. Try listening for changes in imaging, ambience and
low level information, bass definition and vocal clarity.

You can change filters more quickly from the listening position using the Filter
button on the Remote Control, see page 44.

MS

MS – Master/Slave Operation

MSMS

This is set on a per input basis, and determines whether that input acts as a
master or a slave. The options available (independently, for each input) are:

MS:Slav (Slave) In slave mode (most DACs operate in this mode)

the PLL locks to the incoming signal, and tracks it. This
setting is not available in DSD mode.

MS:Mastr (Master) In master mode, Delius acts as a master clock,

and outputs an autonomous 44.1kHz clock on

Wordclock Out. This might go, for example, to a CD

transport. The CD transport output is then locked to the
DAC VCXO, and the DAC only has to decode the data
coming in – it knows the clock frequency.

MS:Sync In sync mode, the PLL locks to a master clock (or other

clock source) connected to Wordclock In while taking

data from the selected input. The source must also be
locked to the master clock, or generating the clock. If the
Wordclock is not at a standard frequency, is out of
capture range or is a “superclock”, the unit will display

Locking…, Fs=??? for 1 minute, then Revert to Slav e

for 10 seconds and reset itself to MS:Slav.

There are some restrictions on master mode operation. The source (usually a

CD transport or player) must run at 44.1kS/s ONLY. Delius may be used in this

mode with an Upsampler, but the Upsampler output must be set to 44.1kS/s,

88.2kS/s, 176.4kS/s or DSD.

Setting to Master Mode x

If you wish to use master mode (we recommend this for CD transports that will
accept a 44.1kHz word clock), then do the following:

do this: Connect the CD transport (or other source equipment) to Delius and select that

input.

do this: Connect Wordclock Out to the wordclock input on the CD transport.
do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows MS: Slav.
do this: Press the

Select button to change the display to MS: Mastr.

(Run through this sequence again if you want to change back to MS:Slav.)

If a source is connected and selected, Delius will display d 44.1, then MS:Mastr
and 44.1kS/s alternately for about 10 seconds. After that it will enable its

outputs and is ready for listening.

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If you are using an Upsampler set for 176.4kS/s Dual AES output, select the

Dual AES input. The displays will then be d 88.2, then MS:Mastr and 176.4kS

alternately for about 10 seconds.

If you are using an Upsampler set for DSD output and your Delius is fitted with a
1394 interface, select the 1394 input. The displays will then be Wait…, then

MS:Mastr and 1394 alternately for about 10 seconds.

If you attempt to use a input sample rate that is not a multiple of 44.1kS/s (for
example 192kS/s), the unit will detect this and the following message will scroll
across the display:

“Can’t Use Input Frequency in Master Mode. Press ..... Button to Slave”

If you press the button mentioned in the scrolling message (Function for Delius,

Phase for Elgar), the selected input will be reset to Slav.

If you get stuck, use the Rst Sync menu to reset the unit.

Mute

Mute - Mute Fade Time

MuteMute

This sets the length of the fade-out time before muting and the fade-in time
before unmuting.

do this: Open the Function Menu and step through until you come to the Mute page.

Press the

Select button repeatedly and the display will cycle through:

Mute:Nor Normal muting – audio fades up and down in 0.5

Mute:Fst Fast muting – audio fades up and down instantly.
Mute:Slw Slow muting – audio fades up and down in 2 seconds.

do this: Choose whichever you prefer and wait for time-out.

Fade

Fade – Fade Behaviour After Re-Lock

FadeFade

This feature fades the audio signal up gradually after locking to a source or
changing inputs

do this: Open the Function Menu and step through until you reach the Fade page. The

display shows Fade-Off or Fade-On.

do this: Press the

Select button to toggle between these settings and wait for time out.

With Fade set to On, the unit will take longer to respond to some commands as

nothing will change until the fade up / down is complete.

seconds.

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