DCS (AUDIO) ELGAR User Manual

dCS Elgar Plus

Stereo Digital to Analogue Converter

User Manual

Software Release 4.3x

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 Elgar Plus User Manual Manual for Software Issue 4.3x
dCS Ltd September 2004

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dCS Elgar Plus User Manual Manual for Software Issue 4.3x
dCS Ltd September 2004

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The dCS Elgar Plus is derived from our award winning dCS Elgar, the world’s
first 24/96 and 24/192 audiophile D/A converter. Elgar Plus offers many
improvements over the standard Elgar, the most important being the ability to

handle DSD from IEEE 1394 or SDIF-2 interfaces, the ability to slave to a Word
Clock or act as a Master Clock, a digital output and a substantially expanded
Function Menu.

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

Elgar Plus 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. Elgar Plus

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, Elgar Plus 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 Elgar Plus 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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dCS Elgar Plus User Manual Manual for Software Issue 4.3x
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CONTENTS

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

Contents.............................................................................................................4

About this Manual 7

What does the coloured text mean? 7
About Sample Rates x 7

Step-by-Step Guide ...........................................................................................8

Preliminaries 8
Step 1 – Selecting a Digital Input 9

Connecting to a Single AES or SPDIF source 9
Connecting to a Dual AES Source x 9
Connecting to an IEEE 1394 DSD Source 9
Connecting to an SDIF/DSD Source 9

Step 2 – Connecting the Analogue Outputs 11

Using a preamplifier x 11
Using a power amplifier directly x 11

Step 3 - Setting the Output Level 12
Step 4 - Using Elgar Plus in Master Mode 13
Other Settings 13

Typical Applications........................................................................................14

Using an Elgar Plus in Master Mode with Verdi 14
Using Elgar Plus and a 1394-Equipped Purcell with Verdi 15
Using Elgar Plus with a Standard Purcell and a CD Player 16

The Software – The Menu...............................................................................18

Using the Function Menu 19

Opening the Menu 19
Types of Menu Page 19
Closing the Menu 19

Menu Sequence 20

Filter – Anti-Imaging Filter Setting 20

Selecting a Filter x 20

MS – Master/Slave Operation 21

Setting to Master Mode x 21

Mute - Mute Fade Time 22
Fade – Fade Behaviour After Re-Lock 22
Dual AES – Dual AES Mode 23
Swap - Swap Channels 24
Disp - Default Display 24
Bal Mode - Balance Information Display 24
Global – Global/Local Volume 25
TimeOut – Menu Time Out Setting 25
PLL - PLL Tracking bandwidth 25
NAud - Non Audio Muting 26

Override Non-Audio Muting x 26
Disabling Non-Audio Muting x 26
Restoring Non-Audio Muting x 26

Ch.Check - Channel Check Test 27
Ph.Check - Phase Check Test 27
Burn In - Burn-In Signal Generation 28
Test - Display Test 28
Issue – Software Issue State 29
Temp – Unit Internal Temperature 29
Serial – Unit Serial Number 29
Contact - Contact information 29

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CDUpdate – Software Update By CD 29
Factory – Restoring Factory Defaults 32
Rst Sync – Setting all Inputs to Slave Mode 32

The Hardware – Controls and Connectors ...................................................34

Front Panel 34

Key to Front Panel 34

Standby Button x 34
Display button (Menu
Phase button x 35
De-Emphasis button x 35

Status Indicator x 36
Remote Control Sensor x 36

Main Display x 36
Input Button and Input Indicator x 37
Mute Button x 37
Volume / Balance button (Menu
Rotary Control x 37

Rear Panel 38

Key to Rear Panel 38

Output Level Switch 38

Balanced Analogue Outputs 39
Unbalanced Analogue Outputs 39
AES/EBU Digital Inputs 39
SPDIF Digital Inputs 39

Toslink and ST Optical Inputs 39
REC Digital Output 40
1394 Interface 40
DSD / SDIF Interface 40
Wordclock Digital Output 41
SUC 41

IEC Power Inlet 41
Mains Fuse 41
Additional Information 41

Remote Control 42

Standby Button 42
Function Button 42
Input Selector Buttons 43
Vol/Bal Button 43
Mute Button 43
Purcell Button and LED 43
Phase Button 43
Filter Button 43
Display button 43

Up and Down (

↑ / ↓) buttons 43

Step)35

Select)37

Elgar Plus Technical Information ....................................................................44

Converter Type 44
Digital Interface Specifications 44
Sample Rates 45
Frequency Response (set to Filter 1) 45
Volume Control 46
Balance Control 46
De-Emphasis 46
Analogue Outputs 46
Clocking 46

Synchronising to source x 46

Power requirements 47
Size and Weight 47
Operating Conditions 47

General Technical Information.......................................................................48

IEEE 1394 Overview 48

Synchronising IEEE 1394 interfaces 48
Automatic Input Selection 48

dCS IR Remote Control Codes 50

Upsampler 50

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DACs 51
Transports 52

Using your dCS Elgar Plus for the first time ...................................................54

What’s in the Box? 54
Safety Notice 54
Mains Voltage Setting 55
Positioning the Unit 55

Options.............................................................................................................56

Mains Supply Voltage 56
Having Your Options Changed 56

Maintenance and Support...............................................................................58

Service & Maintenance 58

Obtaining Service 58

Mains Fuse 58

Replacing a Blown Fuse x 58

Fitting or Replacing the Batteries in the Remote Control 59

Opening the battery compartment and removing batteries 59
Fitting new batteries and closing the case 59

Updating your Elgar Plus 60

Software Updates x 60
Hardware Updates x 60

Safety and Electrical Safety 61
Cleaning the Case 61

Troubleshooting ..............................................................................................62

Fault Indication 62

Power interruption 62
Power up test errors 62
Non-Audio disk 62
The unit is overheating 62

Troubleshooting Guide 63

The unit fails to power up 63
The unit fails to lock to a digital audio source or displays “No Input” 63
The unit locks but the audio output is low or absent 63
The output is monophonic 63
The unit fails to respond to the controls 64
The Main Display turns on briefly when a control is operated, then turns off 64
The Left and Right channels are swapped 64
One audio output channel is low or absent 64
The sound has a peculiar tonal balance 64
Crackles or pops occur while playing music 65
Erratic operation when locked to 96 or 88.2kS/s on Toslink or ST inputs 65
The unit will not decode Dual AES 65
The unit drops out of Dual AES mode into AES1 or AES2 65
A digital recorder fails to record from the REC Output 65
The Remote Control fails to control the unit 66
While playing a DVD, a burst of noise is heard, Elgar Plus mutes and changes
sample rate 66

CD Update is interrupted or fails 66
CD Update is interrupted and fails to recover 66

Troubleshooting the IEEE 1394 Interface 67

Upsampler or Transport displays “Inactive”67
The Unit keeps displaying “No Comms” 67
The Unit keeps displaying “Search..” 67
The DAC displays “Verdi Wordclock Missing” 67
The DAC displays “Missing Wordclock between Clk Out & Verdi Clk In” 67
The DAC displays “Please check source slaved to DAC Wordclock Out” 67
The DAC displays “Wrong Wordclock @ Verdi Clk In” 67
The DAC remains muted 68
The DAC takes a long time to unmute 68

If You Need More Help ....................................................................................69

Other Information 69

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Indexes and Software Version Numbers.......................................................70

Software History 70
Definitions and Abbreviations 71
Key to Cable Identification 72
List of Tables 73
List of Figures 73
Keywords and Phrases 74

About this Manual

If you have not used a Elgar Plus before, please read the section “Using your
dCS Elgar Plus for the first time” on page 54.

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

• table of contents (page 4)

• step-by-step (page 8) and applications guides (page 14)

• detailed software and hardware information (page 18)

• technical information (page 44)

• information for first time users (page 54)

• options, maintenance and troubleshooting (page 56)

• index section (page 70)

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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dCS Elgar Plus User Manual Manual for Software Issue 4.3x
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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 Elgar Plus 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 Function Menu section

on page 18.

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 ST optical interfaces, use ST style 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 Elgar Plus 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 Standby button and wait about 30 seconds while Elgar Plus

configures itself.

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

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

do this: Hold down the Display button and press the Vol/Bal button to open the menu,

then press the Display button repeatedly until the display shows Factory. Press
the Vol/Bal button and wait while the unit reboots.

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

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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 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 Elgar Plus 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, ST 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 Elgar Plus 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

do this: Check that your source equipment (probably a dCS SACD Transport 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

Elgar Plus rear panel. Also connect the wordclock output on your source
equipment to the Wordclock In connector on the Elgar Plus 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 Verdi or Purcell). If necessary, use
the Input button to select the 1394 source you want to listen to. You may find
Elgar Plus settles more quickly if you set it to 1394 mode before setting the

source to DSD mode (or switching the source on).

Connecting to an SDIF/DSD Source

do this: Check that your source equipment is capable of SDIF PCM or DSD operation.
do this: Connect the CH1 output on your source equipment to the CH1 input on the

Elgar Plus rear panel and the CH2 output to the CH2 input, using two BNC

cables. Connect the Wordclock output on your source equipment to the

Wordclock In connector on the Elgar Plus rear panel. Ensure the cables are not

swapped.

do this: Press the Input button repeatedly until either the SDIF or DSD input indicators

(to the left of the display) are lit.

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PCM or DSD mode is automatically detected. The unit will lock to the source,

displaying in sequence Locking, d xxx (the BASE sample rate) then the default
display (probably 16/44.1 or DSD depending on the Disp menu setting and the

source format).

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 Elgar Plus rear panel to matching line level inputs on

your preamplifier (probably labelled CD or AUX).

do this: Turn Elgar Plus 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 Elgar Plus 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 Elgar Plus rear panel to matching inputs on your power

amplifier. Switch on the power amplifier.

do this: Turn Elgar Plus rotary control slowly clockwise until the music is at the right

level.

IMPORTANT! If you connect the Elgar Plus directly to a power amplifier, DO NOT use the

Burn-In routine while the power amplifier is switched on with the

loudspeakers connected as this may cause loudspeaker damage.

A basic setup with a CD player is shown below.

do this: Proceed to Step 3.

DIGITAL OUT

16 bit / 44.1kS/s

L R OUTPUT

LEVEL

HIGH

LOW

LR

LRAES 1 AES 2 RCA1 ST

PUSH PUSH

LR

L

The Red Hot CD Player Co.

R

A

BNC

Hand Crafted by

CH1

TOSLINKRCA2

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

DSD / SDIF

Elgar Plus

B

SUC

CH2

1394

POWER

REC OUT

Balanced

Outputs

- or -

Unbalanced

Outputs

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

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 Elgar Plus Volume setting for a
comfortable listening level is higher than –10.0 or lower than –20.0 try changing
the Output Level setting.

do this: The Output Level switch is located on the back panel. If the Volume setting is

too high, set it to the Low position. If the Volume setting is too low, set it to the

High position.

LROUTPUT

LEVEL

HIGH

LOW

LRAES 1 AES 2 RCA1 ST

PUSH PUSH

A

BNC

CH1

TOSLINKRCA2

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

Figure 2 – Output Level switch

DSD / SDIF

CH2

1394

POWER

REC OUT

B

SUC

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Step 4 - Using Elgar Plus 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 Elgar Plus 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 Elgar Plus Wordclock Out connector to the wordclock input on the

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

do this: Hold down the Display button and press the Vol/Bal button to open the menu,

then repeatedly press the Display button until the display shows MS:Slav.
Press the Vol/Bal 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, Elgar Plus will be
unable to lock.

The equipment will take several seconds to re-lock and settle down, then Elgar
Plus will unmute.

A Master mode setup using a CD player is shown below.

DIGITAL OUT

L R OUTPUT

WORDCLOCK

16 bit / 44.1kS/s

LRAES 1 AES 2 RCA1 ST

LEVEL

HIGH

LOW

LR

Balanced

Outputs

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

- or -

Unbalanced

Outputs

L

R

44.1kHz Wordclock

PUSH PUSH

LR

Hand Crafted by

The Red Hot CD Player Co.

A

BNC

CH1

TOSLINKRCA2

IN - WORDCLOCK - OU T

DSD / SDIF

Elgar Plus

B

SUC

CH2

1394

POWER

REC OUT

Figure 3 – Using Master Mode with a CD player

Other Settings

The basic set-up procedure is complete. Many more features are available

through the Menu. See the Menu section starting on page 18 for more

information.

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TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

Using an Elgar Plus in Master Mode with Verdi

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

dCS Verdi SACD Transport

CAUTION: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE
LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN,

DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.

AES 2 AES 3

AES 1

XLR

cable

L R OUTPUT

LR

XLR

LEVEL

HIGH

LOW

R

cables

Balanced

Outputs

- or -

Unbalanced

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

Figure 4 - Using Elgar Plus in Master Mode with Verdi

RCA TOSLINK

BNC ST

LRAES 1 AES 2 RCA1 ST

PUSH PUSH

A

BNC

L

RCA phono

cables

Outputs

TOSLINKRCA2

CH1

SDIF

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

BNC

cable

CH1

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

DSD / SDIF

CLASS 1

LASER PRODUCT

CH2

1394

CH2

1394

SUC

1

1394
cable

SUC

dCS Elgar Plus DAC

B

POWER

REC OUT

do this: Connect up as shown above.
do this: Open Elgar Plus’ 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 Elgar Plus v4.2x 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 Elgar Plus and a 1394-Equipped Purcell with Verdi

This setup allows you to play SACDs and CDs through the 1394 interface,

upsampling

2

the CDs to DSD with a Purcell. Elgar Plus is in Master Mode.

dCS Verdi SACD Transport

CAUTION: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE
LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN,

DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.

RCA TOSLINK

AES 2 AES 3

AES 1

BNC ST

CH1

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

XLR

cable

DIGITAL INP UTS DIGITAL OUTPUT S POWER

AES RCA

PUSH

ST

RCA

TOSLINK

BNC

WORDCLOCK

AB

OUT

IN

AES1 AES2

SDIF

BNC

cable

BNC

CLASS 1

LASER PRODUCT

CH2

1394

OPTION

1394

SUC

1

1394

cable

SUC

1

1394
cable

dCS Purcell Upsampler

dCS Elgar Plus DAC

L R OUTPUT

LR

XLR

cables

Balanced

Outputs

LEVEL

HIGH

- or -

LRAES 1 AES 2 RCA1 ST

PUSH PUSH

LOW

RL

RCA phono

Unbalanced

cables

Outputs

A

BNC

CH1

TOSLINKRCA2

CH2

DSD / SDIF

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

B

SUC

1394

REC OUT

POWER

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

Figure 5 - Using Elgar Plus in Master Mode with Verdi and Purcell

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

do this: Purcell set-up: Use the Input button to select the AES 1 input. Use the Output

button to select 44.1→→→→DSD.

do this: Elgar Plus set-up: Use the Input button to select the 1394 input and 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 Elgar Plus v4.2x 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.

2

Yes, we know it should have no effect.

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Using Elgar Plus with a Standard Purcell and a CD Player

If your Purcell is not 1394-equipped, you can still upsample the output from a

standard CD player to 24 bit 192kS/s.

DIGITAL OUT

L

R

Hand Crafted by

The Red Hot CD Player Co.

RCA phono

cable

AES RCA

LROUTPUT

LR

XLR

cables

Balanced

Outputs

DIGITAL INP UTS DIGITAL OUTPUT S POWER

PUSH

ST

RCA

TOSLINK

BNC

LRAES 1 AES 2 RCA1 ST

LEVEL

HIGH

LOW

RL

Unbalanced

- or ­Outputs

WORDCLOCK

AB

OUT

IN

PUSH PUSH

RCA phono

cables

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

Figure 6 - Using Elgar Plus with Purcell and a CD player

do this: Connect up as shown above.

AES1 AES2

A

BNC

XLR

cables

TOSLINKRCA2

BNC

cable

BNC

CH1

DSD / SDI F

IN - WORDCLOC K - O UT

OPTION

SUC

1394

1

dCS Elgar Plus DAC

B

SUC

dCS P urc ell U p sam p ler

CH2

1394

REC OUT

POWER

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.

Elgar Plus 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 Elgar Plus User Manual Manual for Software Issue 4.3x

g

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y

dCS Ltd September 2004

THE SOFTWARE – THE MENU

To open th e Menu, hol d down "Vol / Bal " and press "D isplay" .
To page th rough the M enu, pre ss "Display ".
To select, display or change an option, press "Vol / Bal".

Menu Filter x Master/Slave Mute: Fade Dual AES

First page 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

PLL TimeOut Global Bal mode Disp Swap

Sets the PLL

tracking bandwidth

PLL:Fi ne Normal Vol :Gl ob Bal:Bar Disp:Vol Swap:Off

PLL:Wide Long Vol:Inp Bal :Num Disp:Fs Swap:On

Sets the Functio n

Menu time-out

delay

Stores global or

input-related

settings

Sets the balance

display mode

Bal:dBs Disp:Fs+

Audio fades up

during un muting

after relock

Sets the default

display

Disp:Inp

Enables Dual AES

operati on

Reverse the Left

and Right outputs

NAud Ch.Check Ph.Check Burn In Test Issue

Controls muting

when receivin

audio dat a (e.g. CD

Use with care!

non

ROM)

NAud:Mut 4.3x
NAud:Ign Db 2.06

Outputs tone on L

channel onl

then R

channel o nly

Outputs noise on

both channels then

inverts R

Outputs modulated

pink noise to burn-

in your system

CAUTION! LOUD!

Runs a displ ay test

routine

software version

Rst Sync Factory CDUpdate Contact Serial Temp

Resets all inputs to

Slave mode

Restores standar d

factory settings

Starts software

update from a dCS

CD

Displays dCS emai l

address

Displays the unit
full serial number

ELG-?-?-?-?-? Celsius

End

Closes the Function

Menu

= feature is not available in DSD mode

Figure 7 – Function Menu flow chart

Displays the

number

Displays the

internal

temperature

Fahrenheit

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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 two buttons:

• press Vol/Bal and Display buttons at the same time to open the Menu.

• the Vol/Bal button doubles as the

• the Display button pages forward through the Menu - the

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

Select button.

Step button.

Types of Menu Page

• 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.

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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Menu Sequence

Use the flow chart (Figure 7) 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

Elgar Plus 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.

3

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

Elgar Plus 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!

4

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.

3

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.

4

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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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 43.

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, Elgar Plus 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. Elgar Plus 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 Elgar Plus 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, Elgar Plus 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 Elgar Plus 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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Dual AES

Dual AES – Dual AES Mode

Dual AESDual AES

The Dual AES interface was developed by dCS to allow 88.2 or 96kS/s data

streams to be recorded on equipment designed for 44.1 or 48kS/s operation. It
allows a stereo pair of 24/96 data to be recorded on a 4-track digital recorder.
Dual AES mode has become a de-facto standard, appearing on an ever
increasing array of products. Since then, we have developed the Dual AES
interface further to operate at up to 192kS/s, doubling the available audio
bandwidth a second time.

All dCS non-optical single-wire interfaces are capable of 24/96 operation, but

some of our audiophile customers have told us there are extra sonic
improvements to be gained from using Dual AES for 24/96 instead. The reason
for this is certainly not obvious – the digits appear to be the same, it is not
related to jitter.

For 24/192 operation there is no choice but Dual AES. Even our high-speed
single wire interfaces are not currently fast enough.

There are certain requirements for successful Dual AES operation. Obviously,
the source must generate a true Dual AES data stream, not two single AES
outputs. The two cables should be similar in length (less than 3m difference).
The two cables must be connected the right way around or the channels will be
swapped.

Changing inputs between single wire and Dual AES may cause the DAC to

default to single AES mode. To avoid this problem, the Dual AES page offers

the following four options:

Off Disables Dual AES mode for when no Dual AES capable

sources are in use.

On Allows Dual AES mode to be manually selected from the

front panel Input button (see page 37) or the Remote
Control, (see page 43).

Auto Elgar Plus detects single wire or Dual AES mode from

the message flags in the data stream and sets the mode
accordingly. If a Dual AES source is detected but only
one wire is connected, it will lock to the source as single

AES but flash either the AES1 or AES2 indicator to warn

you that one cable is missing.

Lock If both AES 1 and AES 2 are active, selecting either AES

input in this mode forces the unit into Dual AES mode. If

only one wire is connected, the unit warns you of this by

flashing the indicator for the missing wire. Lock mode is

particularly useful when using an Upsampler –
upsampling everything to 176.4 or 192kS/s Dual AES. In

this case, leave Elgar Plus set to Lock mode and select

inputs on the Upsampler.

IMPORTANT! Note that not all Dual AES capable equipment sets the message flags

correctly. If this is the case, do not use Auto mode. You can use it with
confidence on dCS equipment.

do this: To select the Dual AES mode you require, open the Function Menu and step

through until the display shows Dual AES.

do this: Press the

options. When you reach the one you want, wait for the menu to time out.

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Select button repeatedly and the display will cycle through the

dCS Elgar Plus User Manual Manual for Software Issue 4.3x
dCS Ltd September 2004

Swap

Swap - Swap Channels

SwapSwap

If you have run the Channel Check test and decided the channels are reversed,
you can swap the channels back digitally as follows.

do this: Assuming the unit is set for swap off, open the Function Menu and step through

until the display shows Swap:Off.

do this: Press the

Select button once.

The display will change to Swap:On.

do this: Run through this sequence again if you want to swap back.

The Swap setting is NOT remembered when you switch off. If your channels are

swapped, check the wiring between units and correct the error.

Disp

Disp - Default Display

DispDisp

This feature allows you to choose what Elgar Plus displays when music is

playing

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

Press the

Select button repeatedly and the display will cycle through the

following :

Disp:Vol The display reverts to Volume after time-out (e.g.

Disp:Fs The display reverts to Sample Rate after time-out (e.g.

Disp:Fs+ The display reverts to Input Bits + Sample Rate (format)

Disp:Inp The display reverts to the selected input after time-out

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

Bal Mode

Bal Mode - Balance Information Display

Bal ModeBal Mode

Use this to select one of two types of balance display.

do this: Open the Function Menu and step through until the display shows Bal:Bar or

Bal:Num.

do this: Press

Select to change between the two.

Bal:Bar displays the channel balance as two bars, this may be easier to read

from a distance:

▌▌▌▌▐▐▐▐ Balance Central
▌▌▌▌ Balance to left

▐▐▐▐ Balance to right

Vol -12.0).

44.1kS/s).

after time-out (e.g. 24/192). If receiving digital silence, 0

input bits will be correctly displayed.

(e.g. AES1).

Bal:Num displays channel balance as two percentages:

100% 100% Balance central
100% 0% Balance to left
0% 100% Balance to right

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