ESI Dr.DAC prime User Manual

High Quality 192kHz DAC with USB Audio Interface

User’s Guide

Revision 3, October 2011

www.esi-audio.com

ESI Dr. DAC prime

INDEX

1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................4

2. Description....................................................................................................................................4

2.1 Front Panel...........................................................................................................................................................4

2.2 Rear Panel............................................................................................................................................................5

2.3 Power Supply.......................................................................................................................................................5

3. Operation & Usage.......................................................................................................................5

3.1 Computer Interface..............................................................................................................................................5

3.1.1 Installation & Connection..............................................................................................................................6

3.1.2 Driver for Windows XP.................................................................................................................................6

3.1.3 Driver for Windows Vista and 7.................................................................................................................... 7

3.1.4 Control Panel for Windows............................................................................................................................9

3.1.5 Audio Applications ........................................................................................................................................9

3.2 Digital to Analog Converter...............................................................................................................................10

3.2.1 Fixed Output Level ......................................................................................................................................10

3.2.2 Variable Output Level..................................................................................................................................10

3.2.3 Mute Function for Line Output....................................................................................................................10

3.2.4 192kHz Upsampling.....................................................................................................................................10

3.3 Headphone Amplifier.........................................................................................................................................10

4. Specifications..............................................................................................................................11

5. General Information..................................................................................................................12

5.1 Trademarks ........................................................................................................................................................12

5.2 The FCC and CE Regulation Warning...............................................................................................................12

5.3 Correspondence..................................................................................................................................................12

5.4 Disclaimer..........................................................................................................................................................12

ESI Dr. DAC prime

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the ESI Dr. DAC prime. Dr. DAC prime provides everything you need in order to listen to digital music with pristine audio

quality on the road or at your home. Dr. DAC prime works with up to 24bit/192kHz and is not only equipped with both an optical (via the included miniplug-toslink adapter) and coaxial S/PDIF input but also with a full USB audio interface (up to 24bit/96kHz) for bit-perfect audio transfer. Optionally the incoming signal can be upsampled to 192kHz, using a TI SRC4382 high end sample rate converter. The actual analog output signal is generated by a TI PCM1796 DAC with 123dB(a) dynamic range, featuring a full differential output with 3 LME49860NA opamps (8 pin) which are conveniently placed on sockets. The built-in headphone amplifier provides 1/8" and 1/4" connectors. The line output volume can be adjusted or fixed to send out the maximum dynamic range. But Dr. DAC prime is much more: it provides line inputs (AKM AK5386 ADC with 110dB) as well as optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs, allowing you to record your own signals with excellent audio quality. Dr. DAC prime works under Windows XP, Windows Vista/7 as well as Mac OS X even without the installation of any driver software – that's Plug & Play in perfection, it could not be more simple.

2. Description

2.1 Front Panel

The front panel provides the following connectors and functions from left to right:

POWER switch: the POWER switch allows you to switch Dr. DAC prime ON or off (STANDBY). MUTE switch: the MUTE switch allows you to mute the line output signal. UPSAMPLE switch: this switch can be set to 192kHz to enable upsampling of all incoming digital

signals to 192kHz sample rate, to disable that function set it to BYPASS. SOURCE switch: this 3-way switch allows you to select the signal source to be sent out through the

line, headphone and S/PDIF digital outputs. It can be set to ANALOG (line input), USB (computer playback) or DIGITAL (optical or coaxial S/PDIF input).

VOLUME knob: this gain potentiometer allows you to control the output level of the headphone output as well as the line output (if the that has not been set to a fixed output level via the switch on the back panel).

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