EMM Labs DAC8 MKIV User Manual

ADC8 Mk IV

DAC8 Mk IV

USER MANUAL V1.3

A/D Converter ADC8 Mk IV

The EMM Labs 8-channel A/D converter is a 4th generation design to meet
the highest standards in professional audio recording applications. It offers
conversion between analog and digital audio of various different formats, as
well as conversion between digital audio formats.

Features

• 8-channel conversions:

• from analog to PCM (16/24 bits selectable and 44.1kHz - 96kHz)

• from analog to DSD

• from DSD to PCM (44.1kHz - 16/24 bits selectable)

• from DSD on optical to DSD on BNC connectors

• from DSD on BNC to DSD on optical connectors

• Supported output formats:

• AES/EBU (4 connectors) for PCM

• “RAW DSD” (legacy format for DSD on BNC conectors)

• SDIF-3 for DSD on BNC connectors

• SDIF-2 for PCM on BNC connectors

• ST Fiber optic for DSD

• Supported input formats:

• Balanced analog 8dbu - 32dbu (pin 2 hot), switchable ranges 8dbu-20dbu /
20dbu - 32 dbu.

• “RAW DSD” (legacy format for DSD on BNC conectors)

• SDIF-3 for DSD on BNC connectors

• ST Fiber optic for DSD

• Power supply

• power factor corrected

• auto ranging 85V - 240V, 50/60Hz

• power consumption: 60W

• Analog input impedances

• in HI gain position: 30kΩ balanced, 15kΩ unbalanced

• in LO gain position: 68kΩ balanced, 34kΩ unbalanced

1

Signal flow

DSD (Optical)

DSD

DSD to PCM
Conversion

PCM

(AES/EBU)

PCM
(SDIF2)

DSD (RAW/SDIF3)

(shared Conn.)

Analog

Note: Analog inputs are balanced with pin 2 hot, pin 3 cold and pin 1 GND. For unbalanced
inputs just connect to pin 2 and tie pin 3 to GND.

Function Switches

Note: Some configurations require long settling times of up to several seconds after changing
switch positions.

Note: The powerup sequence and initial calibration of the unit takes about 20 seconds after
power is applied.

A/D

Conversion

DSD

DC Removal

DSD
(optical)

DSD

(shared Conn.)

Clock Section

INT /EXT: Selects internal or external clock source. LOCK LED is lit

OPTIC / BNC: Selects external clock between optical and BNC formats.

Sample Rate Section

64 / 128: Selects oversampling ratio. 128 position does not allow

1FS / 2FS: Selects the sample rate for PCM data. FS is the base

44.1 / 48: Selects the base frequency (only 44.1kHz is allowed for

when A/D converter is locked to external clock.

2FS PCM generation (error light on).

frequency (see 44.1 / 48 switch). 2FS position will mute
outputs when the oversampling ratio is set to 128.

DSD outputs and inputs).

2

3

Digital Audio Input Section

OUT / IN: OUT position selects conversion from analog to digital.

IN position selects conversion from digital to digital.

OPTIC / BNC: If the DATA DIR switch is set to IN, this selects data

input between optical or BNC connectors (data format is
selected in Interface Format Section).

Interface Format Section

RAW / SDIF-3: When DSD is on BNC the user has the choice between

RAW and SDIF-3 formats.

DSD / PCM: This switch selects DSD or PCM format on the BNC

connectors (in both directions).

OPTIC1 / OPTIC2: Selects format 1or 2 for both input and output (currently

not implemented - only 1 format).

16 / 24 BITS: The wordlength of the PCM outputs can be selected

between 16 and 24 bits. The 16 bit position uses noise
shaping to convert original format of 24 bits to 16 bits.

Error Indicator is lit for illegal switch positions (audio outputs are muted)

Analog Input Level

LO / HI: The LO position allows the user to set levels between

Clipping indicators

The clipping LED’s come on when the level on the PCM outputs reach
0dbFS. This level corresponds to 0dbSACD on all DSD outputs. However,
the levels on the DSD outputs are allowed to go up to +3dbSACD.

+20dbu and +32dbu.

The HI position allows the user to set the levels between
+8dbu and +20dbu.

4