JEFF ROWLAND AERIS DAC Owner's Manual

AERIS DAC

Owner’s Manual

REVA5 2012

© Jeff Rowland Design Group 2012 ! All Rights Reserved

TABLE OF CONTENTS

...........................................................................................Protective Systems! 3

.........................................................................................Rear Panel Symbols! 4

...........................................................................................Technical Features! 6

................................................................................................Initial Inspection! 9

........................................................................................................Unpacking! 9

................................................................................Rear Panel Connections! 10

......................................................................................Front Panel Controls! 11

...................................................................................External Power Supply! 12

............................................................................Important Safety Instructions! 3

............................................................Note from Jeff Rowland Design Group! 5

........................................................................Handheld Remote Transmitter! 13

.....................................................Remote Transmitter Battery Replacement! 14

.............................................................Using the Aeris DAC Volume Control! 15

........................................................Digital Versus Analogue Volume Control! 16

..............................................................Using Aeris DAC with a Preamplifier! 16

...............................................Using the Aeris DAC Directly with an Amplifier! 16

.............................................................................Audio Output Connections! 17

.....................................................................Digital Audio Input Connections! 18

.................................................................................................Specifications! 19

............................................................................................Limited Warranty! 20

...............................................................................Guide Use and Copyright! 21

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

The

AERIS DAC has been designed to operate at the highest level of efficiency and

performance in any normal operating situation; however, there are a few important use
and care principles that must be kept in mind when operating the

Do not expose the AERIS DAC to rain, moisture, or excessively damp conditions.

!

Due to auto-ranging circuitry and dual-stage voltage regulation, the audio

!

performance will not be affected by any voltage fluctuations within the operating
voltage range. The
range of 85 to 265 VAC without any adjustments necessary.

The AERIS DAC must not be modified in any way, other than according to official

!

service bulletins from Jeff Rowland Design Group. Otherwise, the factory
warranty will be immediately voided.

When operating the AERIS DAC, a properly grounded AC receptacle should be

!

used. A potential shock hazard may result if the supplied 3-wire, grounded AC
cable ground terminal is defeated or lifted or the unit is connected to a 2-wire

ungrounded AC outlet.

AERIS DAC can be operated at any mains voltage over the

AERIS DAC:

Because of the energy efficiency of the AERIS DAC, there is no need to unplug

!

the unit when not in use; however, the

The

AERIS DAC is designed to perform optimally with no adjustments or maintenance for

the lifetime of the product. Do not attempt to open the
issues to qualified personnel. The voltages inside the

PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS

The AERIS DAC is equipped with internal fuses for protection against excessive AC
current draw; however, since no protection circuitry or system can completely protect a
product from every electrical hazard, certain precautions should be observed. In the

event of severe voltage hazards such as lightning or when the preamplifier will not be
used for extended periods of time, the preamplifier should be unplugged from the AC

mains to avoid potential damage to the internal circuitry. All other audio/video system
components should also be disconnected from AC mains power as hazardous voltages
can easily travel throughout an interconnected system.

AERIS DAC can be muted, if desired.

AERIS DAC and refer all service

AERIS DAC can be hazardous.

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REAR PANEL SYMBOLS

The crossed-out wheeled bin is the European Union symbol for
indicating separate collection for electrical and electronic equipment.
This product contains electrical and electronic equipment which should

be reused, recycled or recovered and should not be disposed of with
unsorted regular waste. Please return the unit or contact the authorized

dealer from whom you purchased this product for more information.

This product complies with European Low Voltage (2006/95/EC) and
Electromagnetic Compatibility (89/336/EEC) Directives when used and
installed according to this instruction manual. For continued compliance

servicing must be referred to qualified service personnel.

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NOTE FROM JEFF ROWLAND DESIGN GROUP

Welcome to the Jeff Rowland Design Group “family” and congratulations on your
purchase of what is unquestionably one of the world’s finest DACs. With its combination
of features such as precision electronic circuitry, exceptional efficiency, and accurately

machined chassis components throughout, your

AERIS DAC will offer you many years of

musically satisfying enjoyment.

Please take a few minutes to read the remainder of this Owner’s Manual before
proceeding with the installation of the

AERIS DAC. A thorough understanding of the

operational features will allow you to gain the maximum performance and ease of use for
which the

AERIS DAC was designed.

Please note that your

AERIS DAC and power supply serial numbers begin with the letters

“DS” and “F” respectively. Please include this number with any correspondence
regarding your

AERIS DAC. It has been my joy to create an audio component of enduring

value that reflects the highest ideals of musical and artistic expression. It is my hope that
these qualities will enrich your experience and pride of ownership.

If you have any additional questions regarding the installation or operation of the

DAC, please contact your authorized Jeff Rowland Design Group dealer or check the

AERIS

Jeff Rowland Design Group web site at http://jeffrowland.com.

Enjoy the music!

JEFF ROWLAND

President, Jeff Rowland Design Group

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TECHNICAL FEATURES

IsoSyncECS Isolated Synchronous Error Correction System. Based upon an

asynchronous buffer, voltage controlled crystal oscillators, and a
24 bit D/A converter – all under the precise control of an FPGA
(Field Programmable Gate Array) running proprietary algorithms.

BIT PERFECT AND
VIRTUALLY JITTER
FREE!

MULTI-STAGE
ISOLATED POWER
SUPPLY

ISOLATED AUDIO AND
DIGITAL CIRCUITRY

VOLUME CONTROL Wide range level control of outputs permit direct connection to

Bit perfect conversion with total jitter output noise of less than 10
picoseconds RMS from any input – USB, TOSLINK, and SPDIF.

Main power supply is isolated inside an external machined
aluminum chassis. Eleven precision high-speed regulators
provide low impedance and low noise “point of load” DC current
to all analogue and digital circuits.

Left and right channel audio output circuits, digital processing,
and D/A conversion circuits are isolated within individual milled
aluminum pockets resulting in exceptional EMI shielding, and
thermal stabilization.

power amplifiers.

DRIVER-FREE
OPERATION

CROSS-PLATFORM The USB interface is plug-n-play with all operating systems,

MACHINED ALUMINUM
CHASSIS

The USB interface requires no additional drivers to install or
maintain/update.

including PC, Mac, or Linux.

Precision-machined chassis milled from a solid block of aircraft
grade 6061-T6 aluminum, provides exceptional thermal stability,
RFI/EMI shielding, and resonance control.

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6-LAYER CIRCUIT
BOARDS

Multi-layer circuit boards provide extremely low impedance
ground and power distribution for remarkably low digital noise
contamination.

HIGH-PRECISION
SURFACE MOUNT
COMPONENTS

TRANSFORMER
COUPLED OUTPUTS

OUTPUT CONNECTORS Rhodium / Teflon Cardas output connectors for both balanced

REMOTE CONTROL Allows remote control of volume, mute, standby, and input

Extensive use of Lead (Pb)-free, low temperature coefficient,

active and passive surface-mount components results in

significantly smaller loop areas, reduced circuit capacitance and

inductance, and introduces less noise than conventional leaded
components.

Transformer balanced XLR line outputs provide outstanding
output common-mode noise rejection, eliminate potential ground
loops, and ensure compatibility with other equipment.

and unbalanced outputs preserve maximum audio signal
integrity.

selection.

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