DCS (AUDIO) VERDI LA SCALA User Manual

dCS Verdi La Scala

Upsampling SACD Transport

User Manual

Software Release 1.0x

September 2004

© dCS Ltd. 2001 - 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 dCS1. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims 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.

dCS La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd	September 2004

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dCS La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd	September 2004

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The dCS Verdi La Scala the critically acclaimed

Upsampling SACD Transport is a logical development of dCS Verdi.

La Scala plays SACD or Hybrid discs and outputs the DSD data onto an IEEE 1394 bus, ready for conversion to wide-band, high quality audio by a dCS Elgar Plus or a 1394-equipped dCS Delius2.

La Scala also plays standard CDs and the CD layer of Hybrid discs, upsampling the data to DSD internally, without the need for a separate upsampler. This is ideal for audiophiles who do not use other digital audio sources, as the equipment set-up is much simpler.

DSD (Direct Stream Digital) is single bit data, sampled at 2.822MS/s. This data format increases the available audio band-width to well over 100kHz, well in excess of the 20kHz available from a standard CD system. The extra bandwidth sharpens the transient response and improves the phase response, resulting in a more natural sound and more precise stereo imaging.

CD data at 16 bits / 44.1kS/s is always available from the AES interface (XLR connector), three SPDIF interfaces (RCA, BNC and Toslink optical and an SDIF-2 interface. When playing and SACD, the data is down-sampled to provide these outputs.

La Scala features a Wordclock Input, allowing the transport to be synchronised to a Master Clock or a dCS DAC running in master mode. This arrangement reduces system jitter – a major source of sound degradation in digital audio systems.

In common with all dCS converters, La Scala is based on our flexible digital audio platform which makes extensive use of software configurable chips – FPGA’s and DSP’s. This allows the internal software to be updated from time to time, either from a dCS CD or from a PC, adding extra features and facilities to your system with a minimum of fuss.

Laser Radiation Hazard

dCS Verdi La Scala is a Class 1 Laser Product, it complies with U.S. FDA 21CFR subchapter J. The U.S. FDA Accession number is 0211117. In normal use, there is no risk of exposure to laser radiation.

IMPORTANT! The metal top cover must only be removed by authorised service personnel. The cover protects the user from indirect exposure to visible and invisible laser radiation, as well as risk of electric shock.

2To comply with the licence arrangements for SACD, this data is encrypted in the Verdi La Scala and is decrypted in the receiving unit.

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dCS La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd	September 2004

GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813 –1901)

The dCS Verdi is named after Giuseppe Verdi, the 19th century Italian composer. He was born in the village of Roncole in the province of Parma on October 10th, 1813. From an early age he showed a strong interest in music and commenced his formal musical studies at the age of 7, tutored by the organist in his village church.

When he was 10, Verdi moved to the nearby town of Busseto, where he attended the music school run by Ferdinando Provesi. In Busseto he made the acquaintance of Antonio Barezzi, a local merchant and passionate music lover. Barezzi provided Verdi with financial assistance during the remainder of his musical studies and many years later in 1836, Verdi married Barezzi’s daughter, Margherita.

In 1832 he applied to study at the prestigious Milan Conservatory, but was turned down. Instead, he studied in Milan under the private tuition of Vincenzo Lavingna, a composer and former harpsichordist at the La Scala theatre. During his stay in Milan, Verdi spent a great deal of time attending the theatre and this almost certainly accounts for his work being heavily biased towards opera.

On Provesi’s death in 1833, Verdi returned to Busseto with the aim of taking over his position as head of the town’s music school. However, this was delayed until 1836 by political squabbling between the clergy and his supporters in the local Philharmonia.

In 1838, Verdi moved to Milan where the following year he presented his first opera, Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio at the La Scala theatre, where it was received to moderate acclaim.

1840 must have been the worst year of his life. First his two children and then his wife died in quick succession. His misery was further compounded when his second opera, Un Giorno di Regno, closed after only one performance. At this point Verdi seriously considered giving up composing altogether. At the insistence of Bartolomeo Merelli, the impresario of the La Scala theatre, Verdi read a libretto written by Solera. The biblical themes deeply moved him and motivated him to write his second opera, Nabucco, which was hailed as a triumph when it was performed for the first time at La Scala in 1842. Nabucco firmly established Verdi as one of the leading Italian composers of the day.

Verdi then commenced a period of prodigious creativity. Between 1843 and 1858 he wrote a total of 20 operas. Of these, 3 are especially of note and are still regularly performed: Rigoletto - written in 1851, Il trovatore and La traviata - both written in 1853.

In 1859 he married his second wife, the soprano Giuseppina Strepponi, whom he had known since 1842 when she sang the female lead in Nabucco at La Scala.

Verdi’s works often contained strong political themes. This interest in politics was carried over to his private life and, in 1861, he was elected as a deputy to the first Italian parliament.

His success had made him a wealthy as well as famous man. He used his considerable fortune to progressively increase the size of his farm holdings in Parma. By 1900, these had become the largest revenue producer in the province.

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dCS La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd	September 2004

He continued to compose, albeit at a slower pace. In 1873 he wrote his Requiem Mass, which was dedicated to the memory of the poet Alessandro Manzoni, though its origins go back to a work he first composed as a homage to Rossini.

The most notable operas of his latter years are: Aida – written in 1871, Otello - written in 1887 and Falstaff - written in 1893. The last two were based on plays by Shakespeare and are widely regarded as masterpieces. His last major work, the Four Sacred Pieces (Ave Maria, Stabat Mater, Te Deum and Laudi alla Vergine), was written in 1898, a year after the death of his second wife Giuseppina.

Giuseppe Verdi died on January 27th 1901. In accordance with his wishes, he was given a simple funeral, without singing or music. The following month, he was entombed in a state ceremony with his second wife, at the rest home for musicians that he had helped to set up many years before, to care for singers and instrumentalists who had fallen on hard times in their old age. The procession was accompanied by members of Verdi’s family, members of the Italian Royal family, members of Parliament, foreign diplomats and leading composers including Puccini, Mascagni and Leoncavello. Arturo Toscanini lead tens of thousands of mourners with the choruses of La Scala, in the singing of

Va, pensiero from Nabucco.

Recommended recordings x

Requiem

Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy.

Sony SACD SS00707

Rigoletto

English National Opera

CHAN 3030

Otello

English National Opera conducted by Mark Elder

CHAN 3068(2)

Otello

Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir George Solti

London 422 670-2

Il Trovatore

Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan

EMI CMS7 69311/2

La Traviata

e Coro del Maggio Musicale, Florence conducted by Zubin Meta Philips 438 238-2

Macbeth

Choir and Orchestra of the German Opera Berlin conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli

Philips 412 133-2

Four Sacred Pieces and Requiem

Monteverdi Choir and Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique conducted by John Eliot Gardener

Philips 442 142-2

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dCS Verdi La Scala User Manual		Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd			September 2004
CONTENTS
Product Overview ..............................................................................................			3
Laser Radiation Hazard			3
Giuseppe Verdi (1813 –1901)............................................................................			4
Recommended recordings		x	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 – Connecting the System			11
Connecting the 1394 Interface		x	11
Connecting the DAC Outputs		x	12
Connecting a PCM Output		x	12
Step 2 – Playing a Disc			13
Step 3 – Track Selection			14
Programming a Track Sequence		x	14
Playing all Tracks in a Random Order			14
Step 4 – Setting a Repeat Sequence			15
Repeating the Whole Disc		x	15
Repeating a Track		x	15
Repeating Part of a Track		x	15
Cancelling Repeat Mode		x	15
Other Settings			15
Typical Applications........................................................................................			16
Using a DAC in Master Mode			16
The Software – The Menu ...............................................................................			18
Using the Menu			19
Opening the Menu			19
Types of Menu Page			19
Closing the Menu			19
Menu Sequence			20
SACD/CD – Selecting the layer on a hybrid disc			20
Transmit – Activating the 1394 Outputs			20
1394 ID – 1394 Source Identification			20
Bright x - Display Brightness			21
TimeOut – Menu Time Out Setting			21
Ch.Check - Channel Check Test			21
Ph.Check - Phase Check Test			22
Burn In - Burn-In Signal Generation			22
Test - Display Test			23
Issue – Software Issue State			23
Temp – Unit Internal Temperature			23
Serial – Unit Serial Number			23
Contact - Contact information			23
FavLayer – Favourite Layer on a Hybrid Disc			24
SessTime – Session Time Out Setting			24
Easy Play – Automatic Source Selection			24
CDUpdate – Software Update By CD			25
Factory – Restoring Factory Defaults			27
The Hardware – Controls and Connectors ...................................................			28
Front Panel			28
Key to Front Panel			28
Power Button		x	28
Play / Pause Button		x	29
Stop / Eject Button		x	29
Status Indicator		x	29
Display Mode Indicator		x	29
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dCS Verdi La Scala User Manual		Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd		September 2004
Remote Control Sensor	x	29
Main Display	x	29
Mode Indicator	x	30
Menu Button	(Select)	30
Previous Track Button	(Step Back)	30
Next Track Button	(Step)	30
CD Tray	x	30
Rotary Control	x	30
Rear Panel		31
Key to Rear Panel		31
AES/EBU Digital Output		31
SPDIF Digital Outputs		31
SPDIF Optical Output		32
SDIF Interface		32
Wordclock Digital Input		32
1394 Interface		32
Power Link		32
SUC		33
Power switch		33
IEC Power Inlet		33
Mains Fuse		33
Additional Information		33
Remote Control		34
Blue LED		34
Standby button		35
SACD/CD button		35
Transport controls		35
Program and Clear buttons		35
Mode control buttons		35
Input and Filter buttons		36
0 – 9 buttons		36
White LED		36
Keypad button		36
Up/Down buttons		36
Vol/Bal button		36
Mute button		36
Display button		36
La Scala Technical Information .......................................................................		38
Mechanism		38
Digital Interface Specifications		38
Sample Rates		39
Clocking		39
Synchronising to Wordclock In	x	39
Power requirements		40
Size and Weight		40
Operating Conditions		40
General Technical Information.......................................................................		42
IEEE 1394 Overview		42
Synchronising IEEE 1394 interfaces		42
Automatic Input Selection		42
dCS IR Remote Control Codes		44
Upsampler		44
DACs		45
Transports		46
Using your dCS La Scala for the First Time		....................................................48
What’s in the Box?		48
Safety Notice		48
Mains Voltage Setting		49
Positioning the Unit		49
Options .............................................................................................................		50
Mains Supply Voltage		50
Having Your Options Changed		50

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dCS Verdi La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
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Maintenance and Support...............................................................................		52
Service & Maintenance		52
Obtaining Service		52
Mains Fuse		52
Replacing a Blown Fuse	x	52
Removing the Transit Screws		53
Fitting the Top Glass Plate		53
Fitting or Replacing the Batteries in the Remote Control		55
Opening the battery compartment and removing batteries		55
Fitting new batteries and closing the case		55
Updating your La Scala		56
Software Updates	x	56
Hardware Updates	x	56
Safety and Electrical Safety		57
Cleaning the Case		57
Troubleshooting ..............................................................................................		58
Fault Indication		58
Power interruption		58
Power up test errors		58
Troubleshooting Guide		59
The unit fails to power up		59
The DAC/DDC suddenly mutes, La Scala repeats its’ power-up sequence		59
The DAC/DDC fails to lock to La Scala or displays “No Input”		59
The DAC/DDC locks but no signal is received		59
Playing a CD, the DAC output is monophonic		59
Channel Check, Phase Check and Burn-In do not work		59
The Remote Control fails to control the unit		60
Menu Timeout does not work		60
The Display turns on briefly when a control is operated, then turns off		60
CD-R does not play correctly		60
A disc is trapped in the unit		60
Troubleshooting the IEEE 1394 Interface		61
Upsampler or Transport displays “Inactive”		61
The Unit keeps displaying “No Comms”		61
The Unit keeps displaying “Search..”		61
The DAC displays “Verdi Wordclock Missing”		61
The DAC displays “Missing Wordclock between Clk Out & Verdi Clk In”		61
The DAC displays “Please check source slaved to DAC Wordclock Out”		61
The DAC displays “Wrong Wordclock @ Verdi Clk In”		61
The DAC remains muted		62
The DAC takes a long time to unmute		62
If You Need More Help ....................................................................................		63
Other Information		63
Indexes and Software Version Numbers........................................................		64
Software History		64
Definitions and Abbreviations		64
Key to Cable Identification		65
List of Tables		66
List of Figures		66
Keywords and Phrases		67

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dCS Verdi La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd	September 2004

About this Manual

If you have not used a La Scala before, please read the section “Using your dCS La Scala for the first time” on page 48.

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 18)

•technical information (page 38)

•information for first time users (page 48)

•options, maintenance and troubleshooting (page 50)

•index section (page 64)

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 this - ignoring this may cause you 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 Verdi La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd	September 2004

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 La Scala 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

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

do this: Connect the power cable supplied to the Power inlet on the La Scala rear panel, plug the other end into a convenient power outlet. Set the power switch beside the power inlet to the on position (I).

IMPORTANT! Please do not use an excessively thick power cable as this may damage the power inlet connector. Such damage is not covered by the warranty.

do this: Press the Power button and wait about 5 seconds while La Scala configures itself.

The display will show in sequence: La Scala, 0 and No Disc.

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

do this: Press the Menu button once, then press the Step Back button so the display shows Factory. Press the Select button and wait a second.

The PWR indicator will be lit, the others should be off.

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dCS Verdi La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd	September 2004

Step 1 – Connecting the System

There are only two connections needed between the La Scala and the DAC. The La Scala is compatible with the dCS Elgar Plus DAC or the dCS Delius DAC equipped with the 1394 option.

dCS Verdi La Scala SACD Transport

CAUTION: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE
LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN,			CLASS 1
			LASER PRODUCT
DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.

AES

RCA

BNC

TOSLINK

CH1

CH2

1394

SUC

SDIF

IN

POWER

WORDCLOCK

1

LINK

OUT

44.1kHz

1394

Wordclock

dCS Elgar Plus DAC

L

R

OUTPUT

L

AES 1

AES 2

RCA1

A

ST

CH1

CH2

SUC

B

POWER

LEVEL

PUSH

PUSH

HIGH

R

RCA2

BNC

TOSLINK

DSD / SDIF

1394

LOW

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

REC OUT

L R R L

Balanced - or - Unbalanced

Outputs Outputs

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

Figure 1 – Connecting La Scala to Elgar Plus

Connecting the 1394 Interface

x

While playing an SACD, Hybid disc or CD, DSD data is available from either of the 1394 connectors. This can be decoded by a 1394–equipped dCS Elgar Plus or Delius DAC.

do this: Set the DAC to 1394 mode first.

do this: Connect ONE of the 1394 connectors on La Scala’s rear panel to the DAC using the IEEE 1394 cable supplied.

do this: Also connect La Scala‘s Wordclock Out to Wordclock In on the DAC.

IMPORTANT! Do not connect both of La Scala’s 1394 connectors to the DAC – this prevents the IEEE 1394 interfaces synchronising.

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Connecting the DAC Outputs

x

do this: Connect the DAC analogue outputs to matching inputs on your preamplifier / power amplifier. Connect the power amplifier outputs to your loudspeakers.

do this: Set the preamplifier or DAC Volume control to a low level. do this: Ensure all system components are switched on.

This set-up is shown in Figure 1.

Connecting a PCM Output		x
	For the best sound quality, use the 1394 interface. Standard CD data is
	available from all of the PCM outputs, if you want to use them.
do this:	Connect any of the AES, RCA, BNC or Toslink outputs on the La Scala rear
	panel to the matching inputs on the DAC using suitable cables.
do this:	If you want to use SDIF-2 instead, connect the CH1 and CH2 outputs on the La
	Scala rear panel to the matching inputs on the DAC using suitable cables. Also
	connect the Wordclock Out output on the La Scala rear panel to the Wordclock
	In connector on the DAC.

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dCS Ltd	September 2004

Step 2 – Playing a Disc

do this: Press the Stop/Eject button.

The display will show Opening then Open.

do this: Load a disc into the tray and either push the tray in gently or press the Eject button again.

The display will show Loading, then Read TOC (reading the table of contents from the disc). The disc will be identified as a CD, SACD or hybrid. Either the CD or the SACD indicator will light, along with the CONT indicator (play all tracks in a continuous sequence).

If the disc is a hybrid, the HYBD indicator and either the SACD or the CD indicator will light. You can select the other layer by pressing the SACD/CD button on the Remote Control – the indicator will change to match this.

If the disc has disc text, the TEXT indicator will light, the disc title and artist’s name will scroll across the display. For all discs, the number of tracks / total playing time will be displayed, followed by 0 (stopped).

do this: Select the 1394 input on the DAC. do this: Allow the DAC to lock and un-mute.

do this: Press the Play button. Turn up the Volume to a comfortable level. You should have audio.

If the disc has disc text, the track name will scroll across the display. For all discs, the track number and elapsed time will be displayed.

do this: Press the Play/Pause button to pause playing, press again to resume playing. do this: Press the Next Track or Previous Track buttons to skip to another track.

do this: Hold down the Next Track or Previous Track buttons to fast forward or fast reverse through the track. Alternatively, turn the Rotary Control.

do this: Press the Stop/Eject button to stop the disc. Press it again to open the tray.

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Step 3 – Track Selection

To change to a particular track:

do this: Press the Keypad button on the Remote Control.

do this: While the white LED is lit, press the track number on the 0–9 buttons.

do this: For example, for track number 15, press 1, then press 5 within the next three seconds.

Programming a Track Sequence x

If you wish, you can program a sequence of up to 31 tracks in any order. If not, go to Step 4.

do this: Load a disc, ensure it is not playing and wait for any disc text to scroll across the display.

do this: Press the Program button on the Remote Control. While the white LED is lit, enter the first track number on the 0-9 buttons (e.g. 05).

The PROG indicator will light and the display will change to Prog 05, then

Pg 1: 5.

do this: You can also use the Previous Track / Next Track buttons to choose a track number.

do this: Press the Program button again and select the second track (e.g. 12). The display will show: Prog 12, then Pg 2: 12. Continue programming as many tracks as you like, up to a maximum of 31.

If you try to program a track number that is not on the disc, the display shows:

No Trk!

do this: To delete the last track in the sequence, press the Clear button.

The display will change back to the previous entry and that will become the last track in the sequence.

do this: Press the Play button to play the programmed sequence of tracks.

do this: Press the Play Mode button if you want to stop playing your programmed sequence and change to Random or Continuous play modes.

The programmed sequence is cleared when the CD tray is opened.

Playing all Tracks in a Random Order

If you wish, La Scala can play all the tracks on the disc in a random order, then stop.

do this: Press the Play button.

do this: Press the Play Mode button on the Remote Control once or twice until the display shows Shuffle and the RAND indicator lights.

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dCS Verdi La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
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Step 4 – Setting a Repeat Sequence

If you wish, La Scala can repeat the whole disc, one track or part of a track. Otherwise, proceed to “Other settings”.

Repeating the Whole Disc		x
do this:	While playing a disc in Continuous mode (CONT indicator lit), press the Repeat
	button on the Remote Control to repeat the whole disc.
	The display will show Rept All and the REPT indicator will light.
Repeating a Track		x
do this:	While playing a track disc in Continuous mode (CONT indicator lit), press the
	Repeat button on the Remote Control twice to repeat the track.
	The display will show Rept Trk and the REP1 indicator will light.
Repeating Part of a Track		x
do this:	To select part of a track to repeat, play the track through until you reach the
	start point. Press the A-B button on the Remote Control, the display will show
	(for example) AB	0:20 with the B flashing. When you reach the end point (for
	example, 10 seconds later), press the A-B button again. The B will stop
	flashing, the unit will skip back to the start point (A) then continuously repeat the
	section up to stop point (B). You can select new start and stop points by
	pressing the A-B button at the new start point and again at the new stop point.
Cancelling Repeat Mode		x
do this:	To stop repeating, press the Repeat button on the Remote Control once or
	twice until the display shows Rept Off.

Other Settings

More features are available through the Menu. See the Menu section starting on page 18 for more information.

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dCS Verdi La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd	September 2004

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

Using a DAC in Master Mode

You can reduce the jitter in your system by using a dCS DAC in Master mode to clock the Transport.

dCS Verdi La Scala SACD Transport

CAUTION: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE
LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN,			CLASS 1
			LASER PRODUCT
DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.

AES

RCA

BNC

TOSLINK

CH1

CH2

1394

SUC

SDIF

IN

POWER

WORDCLOCK

1

LINK

OUT

44.1kHz

1394

Wordclock

dCS Elgar Plus DAC

L

R

OUTPUT

L

AES 1

AES 2

RCA1

A

ST

CH1

CH2

SUC

B

POWER

LEVEL

PUSH

PUSH

HIGH

R

RCA2

BNC

TOSLINK

DSD / SDIF

1394

LOW

IN - WORDCLOCK - OUT

REC OUT

L R R L

Balanced - or - Unbalanced

Outputs Outputs

To Power Amplifier or Preamplifier

Figure 2 – Using a DAC in Master mode

do this: Connect up as shown in Figure 2.

IMPORTANT! Note that the Wordclock connections are different to those in Figure 1.

Elgar Plus setup for software version 4.2x or later:

do this: The first time you use this arrangement, open the menu and run the Factory routine.

do this: While playing an SACD, use the Input button to select the 1394 input and allow the unit to settle. Open the menu again, choose a Filter if you wish, then set the

MS page to MS:Mastr.

do this: When the system has re-locked, use the Volume control to set a comfortable listening level.

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dCS Verdi La Scala User Manual	Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
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THE SOFTWARE – THE MENU

Press "Step >" to move along the Menu, press "< Step" to move back.

Press "Select" to set a menu option or change options.

Menu

SACD/CD

Transmit

1394 ID

Bright x

Timeout

First page of the

Selects format for

Turns off 1394 data

Sets the 1394

Sets the display

Sets the Function

feed (DSD mode

source identifying

Menu time-out

Menu

playing hybrid discs

brightness

only)

number

delay

SACD

Active

0 … 8

Bright 7

Normal

CD

Inactive

....

Long

Bright 0

Temp

Issue

Test

Burn In

Ph.Check

Ch.Check

Displays the

Displays the

Runs a display test

Outputs modulated

Outputs noise on

Outputs tone on L

internal

software version

pink noise to burn-

both channels then

channel only then R

routine

temperature

number

in your system

inverts R

channel only

CAUTION! LOUD!

Celsius

1.0x

Fahrenheit

Db 2.06

Serial

Contact

FavLayer

SessTime

Displays the unit

Displays dCS email

Sets the default

Sets the time-out

layer when playing

for overriding the

full serial number

address

a Hybrid disc

FavLayer choice

0

VER-?-?-?-?-?-?

SACD

CD

1 hour

2 hours

4 hours

8 hours

= feature is not available from 1394 outputs.

Figure 3 – Menu flow chart

	Easy Play					CDUpdate
	Sets the mode of					Starts software
	the automatic input
						update from a dCS
	switching (La Scala
						CD
	only)
	Normal
	Verdi
	Off

End			Factory
Closes the Function			Restores standard
Menu			factory settings

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Using the Menu

The 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 Menu is controlled by three buttons:

•the Menu button opens the menu and doubles as the Select button.

•the Step → button pages forward through the Menu – the Step button.

•the ← Step button pages backward through the Menu – the Step Back button.

When you first open the 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.

Types of Menu Page

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 Bright. When a parameter page is displayed, the first press of the Select button shows the current setting. Subsequent presses of the Select button change the page 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 Test. 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 Step button to page forward until the display shows End and then press 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 by changing the TimeOut setting.

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Menu Sequence

Use the flow chart (Figure 3) or the Control Summary sheet to guide you through the Menu more quickly.

The following explanation deals with the Menu pages in the sequence they occur in the Menu3. The use of each page is shown on an individual basis, 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 Menu operations in one go before finally closing the Menu.

SACD/CD – Selecting the layer on a hybrid disc

With a hybrid disc loaded or playing (the HYBD indicator will be lit), you can select either the SACD or the CD layer using this menu. This duplicates the SACD/CD button on the Remote Control.

do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows SACD/CD. do this: Press the Select button to flip between SACD or CD.

do this: When you have the option you want, wait for the Menu to time-out and the display to revert to its normal mode.

If the disc is not a hybrid, the menu will display the disc type but you will not be able to change the setting.

Transmit – Activating the 1394 Outputs

At present, the IEEE 1394 interface supports up to eight active DSD sources at any time. If more are connected to the bus, no more than eight may be active. This situation will improve as industry standards stabilise. The Transmit page allows La Scala to be left in DSD/SACD output mode but with the 1394 interface inactive. With most set-ups, you will not have to worry about this setting.

do this: Set up the unit in DSD/SACD mode, with the 1394 interface connected to at least one other unit.

do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows Transmit. do this: Press the Select button to flip between Active and Inactive.

do this: When you have the option you want, wait for the Menu to time-out and the display to revert to its normal mode.

1394 ID – 1394 Source Identification

This page sets a number between 1 and 8 to identify each La Scala you have connected to the 1394 system.

do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows 1394ID:x, where x is a number between 0 and 8.

do this: Press the Select button repeatedly, allowing the unit to settle for a few seconds each time. The display cycles through 1394ID:0, 1394ID:1, ......., 1394ID:7,

1394ID:8, and back to 1394ID:0.

If you set 1394ID:2 for example, when the DAC is selected to this La Scala, it will display La Scala 2. You can set any other La Scalas connected to the 1394 system to a different number. If you set 1394ID:0, the DAC displays La Scala, without a number.

3A 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.

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Bright x - Display Brightness
	This adjusts the brightness of the main display, with settings between 7
	(brightest) and 0 (off, unless something is touched).
do this:	Open the Menu and step through until the display shows Bright x, where x is a
do this:	number between 7 and 0.
	Press the	Select	button repeatedly and the display cycles through Bright 7,
	Bright 6, ......., Bright 1, Bright 0 and back to Bright 7.

After time-out, a setting of Bright 0 blanks the display unless the unit is not locked. Operating any control or locking to a source while in this mode turns the display back on momentarily.

TimeOut – Menu Time Out Setting

If you find the 5 second time out period for the menu is too short, use this option to change the time out period to 30 seconds.

do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows Timeout. do this: Press the Select button once and the display will show Normal. do this: Press the Select button again and the display will change to Long. do this: Repeat this if you want to change back.

Ch.Check - Channel Check Test

Use this feature to check if the stereo outputs on your system are swapped. It is disabled when in DSD/SACD mode.

do this: Set up your system to play music at a comfortable level. do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows:

Ch.Check

do this: Press the Select button once to start the test. After briefly displaying Wait, the following sequence occurs:

Left

A modulated tone should appear on the left channel only for several seconds.

None

Both outputs are muted for a second.

Right

A modulated tone should appear on the right channel only for several seconds.

Done

This is displayed briefly at the end of the test.

If the channels are swapped, check for wiring errors from the unit output onwards. If you correct this temporarily using the Swap function on a dCS DAC, note that the Swap setting is NOT remembered at power down.

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