OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS | DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER
EL DAC
SUPPORT
ONLINE BY PHONE BY MAIL
CONTACT@JDSLABS.COM
JDSLABS.COM/SUPPORT
314-252-0936
9:30AM-6PM CST,
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
909 N BLUFF RD
COLLINSVILLE, IL 62234
UNITED STATES
SECTION 1
QUICK SETUP
Windows users, please install drivers and reboot before connecting cables. See page 5
STEP 01
Connect AC power adapter to
rear power jack (16VAC), then
connect to wall outlet
STEP 03
Touch button on front to power on,
then:
z Tap mode button 3x to cycle
through all modes
z Tap and hold to power off
STEP 02
Connect cables to your desired digital
audio players: USB, TOSLINK, or
coaxial
MODES
TOSLINK
Your PC will only recognize the USB device while EL DAC is set to USB mode, indicated by blue light.
USB
COAX
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SECTION 2
CONFIGURATION
CONNECTIVITY
EL DAC accepts three methods of digital input:
USB
Coaxial S/PDIF
TOSLINK
16/44.1k thru 32/384kHz**
16/8kHz thru 24/192kHz*
16/8kHz thru 24/192kHz*
Maximum RCA Output voltage is 2.0VRMS
* Many coax and optical sources are unable to reliably transmit at 192kHz.
** Windows 7 supports 24/192kHz maximum.
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LISTENING TIPS
For maximum signal fidelity, set the
DAC to at least 24-bit audio and adjust
digital volume slightly below 100% at
your computer. Only control volume
from your amplifier.
Listen safely to conserve your hearing:
www.hearingloss.org
When using USB mode, set sampling
frequency to match the majority of
your music collection (i.e., use 44100
Hz for 44.1kHz). Alternatively, you may
use ASIO mode in Foobar.
EL DAC automatically selects
appropriate sampling rate in coaxial or
optical modes.
To ensure an optimal noise floor,
always position audio equipment as far
away as possible from wireless devices.
OPERATING CARE
Use gentle force when touching the
mode button, and when inserting or
removing cables.
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SECTION 3
SETUP
COMPUTER SETUP
Drivers must be installed for Windows XP/7/8/10 and you must
reboot before connecting your EL DAC.
Please uninstall any older “Bravo-HD” audio drivers from JDS
Labs or other manufacturers.
OS X Installation
No drivers are required. Proceed to Quick Setup on page 2.
Windows Installation
1. Download drivers from: www.jdslabs.com/el-dac-drivers
2. Extract the downloaded .zip file.
3. Open the extracted directory and run, “setup.exe”
4. Windows may present “Open File - Security Warning”. Proceed by
clicking “Run”
5. Follow the installer prompts to complete setup.
6. If Windows Security prompts appear, check “Always trust software
from ‘Savitech Corp’” and click “Install”
7. Please reboot after installation is complete.
8. Connect EL DAC as described in Quick Setup on page 2.
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Windows Vista/7/8
Right click volume icon in taskbar, click
Playback Devices, set JDS Labs EL DAC as
default device.
Suggested Properties (right click JDS EL
DAC “Speakers” icon):
z Enhancements: Check “Disable all
enhancements”
z Advanced: See Listening Tips
Mac OS X
Ensure EL DAC is selected from Audio
Devices
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TROUBLESHOOTING
Unable to find “EL DAC” as a USB device
Cause: Wrong mode, or DAC needs to re-initialize
Solution: Tap mode button 3x to cycle through all modes.
Blue (USB) light flashes 3 times, than turns red
Cause: USB cable is disconnected
Solution: Connect USB cable
No sound in one channel
Cause: Bad cable, or incorrect computer settings
Solution: Check balance settings; try another headphone or RCA cable.
Some Mac OS X systems will pan audio to the Left channel upon initial
connection of a DAC. User must restore balance to center.
POWER ADAPTERS
ATTENTION: Incorrect power adapters can result in capacitor
explosion hazards and device damage. Only use the power
adapter included with your EL DAC:
Type: AC-to-AC Transformer Output Voltage: 16 VAC
Current: Minimum 1000mA Connector: 2.1x55.mm (ID x OD)
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Application for Council Directives 2004/108/EC, 2006/95/EC, 2002/95/
EC.Conformity declared for EN55022:2011, EN611000-3-2, EN61000-33, EN55024-2
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.
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