exaSound e12 DAC Owner's Manual

e12 Digital to Analogue Converter

DSD 256 Fs / 12.288 MHz
DXD 32bit / 352.8 kHz
PCM 32 bit / 384 kHz

Owner’s Manual (Windows)

PLEASE READ BEFORE OPERATION

REV. 1.0.0 – 02/2015

Table of Contents

Safety Information ....................................................................................................... 4

Explanation of Graphical Symbols ............................................................................................................ 4

Important Safety Instructions ................................................................................................................... 4

Precautions ............................................................................................................................................... 4

Welcome .......................................................................................................................... 7

Quick Start ...................................................................................................................... 8

Package Contents ...................................................................................................................................... 8

Proper Device Placement .......................................................................................................................... 8

Front Panel Indicators ............................................................................................................................... 8

Rear Panel Connectors .............................................................................................................................. 8

ASIO Driver Setup ...................................................................................................................................... 9

exaSound Dashboard (Windows) .............................................................................................................. 9

Features ......................................................................................................................... 10

Windows ASIO Driver Advantages ...................................................................................................... 10

Automatic Sampling Rate Switching ................................................................................................... 10

Automatic PCM / DSD Switching ......................................................................................................... 10

Bit-perfect Operation Independent from the Windows Volume Control and Mixer ......................... 10

Asynchronous USB Mode Eliminates Jitter Caused by the PC and the USB Interface ........................ 10

Hardware Volume Control and Volume Bypass .................................................................................. 11

Volume Control Integration with JRiver/Jremote ............................................................................... 11

Connecting and Powering the e12 DAC............................................................... 12

Connecting the USB Input ....................................................................................................................... 12

Connecting the Line Outputs .................................................................................................................. 12

Direct Connection to Analogue Power Amplifier .................................................................................... 12

Analogue Interconnect Recommendations ............................................................................................ 12

Connecting the Power Adapter............................................................................................................... 13

Surge Protectors ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Isolating the Cable TV Ground ................................................................................................................ 13

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Windows ASIO Drivers Step-by-step Setup Guide ........................................... 14

PC System Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 14

Windows ASIO Driver Installation ........................................................................................................... 14

Configuring Audio Player with ASIO Output ........................................................................................... 16

Using the e12 DAC ...................................................................................................... 17

Power On/Off .......................................................................................................................................... 18

Volume Control ....................................................................................................................................... 18

Volume Bypass ........................................................................................................................................ 19

JRiver / JRemote Volume Synchronization Plug-in ................................................................................. 19

Settings Menu ......................................................................................................................................... 19

Step-By-Step Player Configuration Instructions ..................................................................................... 19

Specifications ............................................................................................................... 20

Limited Warranty ....................................................................................................... 22

Copyright © 2011-2015, exaSound Audio Design. All rights reserved.

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Safety Information

Explanation of Graphical Symbols

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to
alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the Device.

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus

(including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two

blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit
into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plug, receptacle, and the

point where it exits from the apparatus.

11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the device has been

damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or
objects have fallen into the device, the device has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.

Precautions

• Before connecting the AC power adapter cord to the device, make sure the voltage designation of

the power adapter corresponds to the local electrical supply. If you are unsure of your power
supply, contact your local power company. The acceptable power input range is AC ~ 100V-240V,
50/60Hz

• The device is still receiving power from the AC power source as long as it is connected to the wall

outlet, even if the device itself has been turned off.

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• Unplug the power adapter if you are not going to use the device for an extended period of time.

Hold the power adapter when unplugging. Do not pull on the cord.

• The power adapter is used as the mechanism for cutting off power, therefore make sure it is easy to

unplug.

• To ensure proper ventilation around this product, do not place this product on a sofa, bed or rug.

• High temperature will lead to abnormal operation of this device. Do not expose this device or

batteries to direct sunlight or near heating objects.

• When moving the device from a cold location to a warm one, or vice versa, moisture may condense

on components inside the device. Should this occur, the device may not operate properly. In such a
case please turn the device off for 1-2 hours to facilitate moisture evaporation.

WARNING:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
DANGEROUS HIGH VOLTAGES MAY BE PRESENT INSIDE THE ENCLOSURE. DO NOT OPEN THE CABINET.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY. THE DEVICE SHALL NOT BE EXPOSED TO DRIPPING OR
SPLASHING AND THAT NO OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES SHALL BE PLACED ON THE
APPARATUS.

WARNING:

CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE MANUFACTURER CAN INVALIDATE THE
COMPLIANCE TO REGULATIONS AND CAUSE THE UNIT TO BE NO MORE SUITABLE TO USE. THE
MANUFACTURER REFUSES EVERY RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING DAMAGES TO PEOPLE OR THINGS DUE TO
THE USE OF A UNIT WHICH HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS OR TO MISUSE OR
TO MALFUNCTION OF A UNIT WHICH HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by

FCC

Statement

turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Any unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment would void the user’s authority
to operate this device. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

This unit is compliant with the following CE regulations when an USB cable less than 3m is
used: CEI EN 55022:2009 Class B (Radiated Emissions), CEI EN 55024:1999, CEI EN
55024:A2/2003, CEI EN 55024:IS1/2008 (Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 50Hz
Magnetic Field Immunity Test and Electrostatic Discharges – ESD).

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This product, when no longer usable, when disposed off can’t be treated as generic garbage,
but must be disposed of at a collection point for recycling of electrical and electronic

Trade

marks

equipment, in compliance with the WEEE regulation (Waste of Electrical and Electronic
Equipment).
By making sure that this unit is correctly recycled, you will help preventing potential damages
to environment and human health, which could be caused by the incorrect treatment of this
product as generic garbage. Materials recycling helps conserve natural resources.

We use our best efforts to ensure that information in this document is complete, accurate and
current, but otherwise we make no representation concerning the same. We reserve the right
to change or modify the information any time, without prior advice. It’s up to the customer to
ensure that the manual being consulted is the latest version.

ASIO is a registered trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH

 Direct Stream Digital (DSD) is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
 Designed for Windows Media, Microsoft, HDCD, and the HDCD logo are trademarks or

registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.

 Apple, Mac and OS X are trademarks of Apple, Inc.
 All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

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Welcome

Thank you for purchasing the exaSound e12 DAC!

The e12, a fourth generation DSD265 DAC offers the highest native digital audio resolution available on
the market today. e12 has vanishingly low jitter, distortion and noise levels, and astonishingly clean
analog-like sound.

We hope that the e12 DAC will help you to enjoy world-class music experience for years to come. Please
take a few minutes to read right through this manual. Investing a little time now is the best way to
ensure that you make the most of your investment.

Your satisfaction is our highest priority.

Happy listening,

exaSound Audio Design

www.exaSound.com
[e-mail]

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