Parasound D - A C -1500 User Manual

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D / A C - 1500 Dig ita 1/ A n a log Con v e r t e r

Congratulations on the purchase of your new Parasound D/AC-1500 Digital-to-Analog
Converter. It has been designed to extract greater musical detail from any digital source. If you
are using it to upgrade your CD player I you will fmd the D/ AC-1500 makes a world of
improvement. You will enjoy more of the warmth and depth that has previously been associated
only with the finest analog sources.

Your D/ AC-1500 sets new perfonnance standards at its modest price. Its highest quality hand­selected component parts, triple power supplies, high current drive analog stages, plus hookup and
operating flexibility are far superior to al1 but the few most expensive D-A converters. To assure
fullest musical enjoyment, please take a few moments to read these instructions completely.

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Unpacking

Open the carton of your D/ AC-1500 carefully and inspect the unit for possible shipping damage.
Now is the time to report any damage to your dealer. You will find the detachable AC line cord

packed separately inside the carton. We do not recommend use of any other line cord. .

Save the plastic bag, styrofoam inserts and carton. You may need these later for transporting the

D/AC-1500 or for shipment in the event it ever requires factory servicing. Record the serial
number (on rear panel) here for reference in case your unit is stolen: .

Placement

You should locate your D/ AC-1500 as close as possible to your digital source. Keep your unit out

of direct sunlight, away from heat sources such as a hot air register or radiator and away from

windows which might be left open to let in rain.

If you are stacking your components, you should avoid placing your D/AC-1500 on top of heat­producing components, such as power amplifiers or tube-type preamps. You should keep it as far

as possible from your tuner or receiver to avoid interference from their RF local oscillator circuits.

Connecting Your D/AC-1500

When you make connections, be careful to avoid tension on either wires or fiber optic cables which
might cause damage to the connectors or cause them to pull loose later on. Do not attempt to bend
either coaxial or optical digital cables at a sharp angle, as this may permanently damage them. It is
safest to turn off the power of your preamp and power amp while making connections, not only
for the connections you are making, but to avoid the chance of disturbing adjacent connections. As
an additional safeguard, turn your preamp's volume control to minimum before making new
connections.

Digital Inputs

The D/AC-1500 has four digital inputs:
. Coaxial I:

. Coaxial 2:
. Optical 1:

. Optical 2:

. Coaxial output connections are provided on most high quality CD players. You should use

only good quality cables which have been designed for digital data transmission. Cables designed

for audio frequencies are not suitable and will not give you satisfactory results.

. TOSlink fiber optic connections are also popular and are found on most high quality video

laser disc players as well as older CD players and CD transports. Your dealer can assist you to
select an appropriate optical cable with TOSlink connectors. According to the TOSlink standard,
you're restricted to rOSHnk cable lengths from 0.2 m (-8") to 10 m (-30').

. ST module glass fiber op£ics ace considered state-of-the-art. They are superior to either
coaxial or TOSlink connectors for data transmission. The ST module employs the AT&T standard;

both plastic and glass fiber optic connectors are available for ST modules connectors.
You should experiment among the connector options to detennine which sounds the best in your

system. You may find careful extended listening required in order to hear the subtle differences
between the different interface technologies accomodated by your D/AC-1500.

It is possible to connect four separate digHal sources to your DI AC-1500 and select among them

from the front panel, however RF radiations from the unused digital inputs may "contaminate" the
sound of the selected input source. If you have more than one digital source connected, make sure
you turn ofT the power of the unused source(s) until you are ready to listen to it.

RCA jack - 75 a standard
RCA jack - 75 a standard

Fiber Optic - ST module

Fiber Optic - TOSlink

Outputs

Analog Output jacks connect to any line-level input on your preamplifier or even directly to
your power amplifier, provided it is equipped with level controls. Use only high quality

interconnects to preserve detail and clarity. Make sure your preamp is either turned ofT or its
volume is set to minimum whenever making or breaking these connections.

There are two analog outputs: Unbalanced: RCA jacks for unbalanced line output

Balanced: XLR connectors for balanced line output

Pin 1 Ground, Pin 2 + signal, Pin 3 - signal

-2-

A balanced line is a necessity if you are driving a long line to your preamplifier, and provided it is
equipped with balanced inputs. Balanced lines also reduce annoying hum in many areas prone to
RF interference, where 60 Hz (USA) or SO Hz (most overseas) television sync. signals can mimic

ordinary AC line "hum." In this case the two wires for the + and - audio signal are enclosed within

a third separate shield wire which is the "floating" ground.

Serious listeners prefer the superior musicality of balanced interconnections. The lower noise floor
seems to enhance the apparent width and depth of the soWld stage by reducing interference.

A Digital Output jack passes your digital source's data stream directly to a digital recorder like
a Mini Disc, DA T, DCC or CD.R. This is an RCA type connector; use only digital quality cable.

AC Power

Your DI AC-1500 has an IEC standard detachable power cord which has been specially selected for
its contribution to the sound quality of this unit. Try to connect only this cord directly to a nearby

AC wall outlet and avoid extension cords or connection to accessory outlets on your preamp.

Operating your DI AC-1500

Power On/Off

Push the upper section of the button to turn on; lower section for off.
Sampling Frequency LEDs

Your DI AC-1500 will recognize the digital signal of whatever type of digital source you connect
and will switch to the correct sampling tate automatically. The 44.1 kHz sampling tate is standard

for compact discs. 32 kHz is for digital broadcast; 48kHz is for DA T.

Error/Data LED
In case there is an interuption of data from the digital source or a malfunction of the digital source

or connection, the ErrorIData LED will illuminate. This shows you that your DI AC-1500 is not
receiving correct digital data to process and convert to analog. In this case, a muting circuit will

prevent a "garbage" signal passed to Analog Out or the Digital Out Record jacks.

Input Select Buttons and LEDs

The four Input Select buttons correspond to the four input connectors on the rear panel:
Coaxial I, Coaxial 2, Optical I, Optical 2.

Polarity Invert Button and LED