Soundstream Technologies DTA 1 User Manual

DTA

Automorwe

Digital to
Processor

Analog

OWNER’S MANUAL

SOUNDSTREmAl’v’~

TECHNOLOGlES

DTA 1

Digital to

analog

OWNER’S MANUAL

Processor

Thank you for purchasing the Soundstream
the finest automotive Digital to Analog processor made, a precision
component with audiophile performance.

For maximum performance, we suggest you take a few moments
to read through this manual, to better acquaint yourself with the
design features and capabilities of your new

This Soundstream product is the result of the combined efforts of

Krell Digital and Soundstream Technologies. It is made with
American craftsmanship and the highest quality control standards, to
provide you with many years of listening pleasure. To further help
protect your investment and to aid us with service questions, please
fill in and retain the following requested information:

Model Number:
Serial Number:
Dealer’s Name:
Date of Purchase:
Date of Installation:

DESIGN

,

I

FEATURES

We’ve designed the DTAl (as shown in Figure 1) to be an audio­phile replacement for the standard digital to analog (D/A) proces­sors found in many of today’s mass-marketed, CD and DAT mobile
components. When you bypass your source’s D/A circuits and route
the digital output to the
greatly enhanced by these features:

l

18-bit

Digital Processor with 8x Oversampling Digital Filter

this high-performance processor resamples the incoming digital
signal to create an 8x oversampled, 1
oversampling, more data points are added to create a more accu­rate waveform. This allows the use of a simpler, better-sounding
analog filter at the converters’ outputs, for precise analog signal
reconstruction.

l Hybrid Digital to Analog Conversion

combination of traditional, oversampled “ladder” and newer
“1 -bit” DAC technologies. Resampled data is split up and han-

dled by two separate converters per channel, working in parallel.
The result is an accurate analog conversion with the lowest possi­ble noise and distortion specifications.

DTAl,

your mobile audio system will be

DTAl

.

You now own

DTAl

.

a-bit

datastream. With 8x

(DAC)

System - our unique

Figure

I

l tine level Analog Output Stages

coming from the
Class A outputs that feature low-output impedance to drive long
cable runs. The design also includes a modified version of Krell’s
proprietary home audio grounding system, with separate analog
power supply to insure minimal digital signal crosstalk. With it
you’ll hear cleaner, more transparent music reproduction without
annoying low-level digital artifacts.

l Three Inputs with Priority Switching

input signals. One input uses an Optical connector for interface to
industry-standard fiber-optic cable in lieu of coaxial cable. The
other two inpuk connect to standard 75 ohm coaxial cables ter-
minated with RCA connectors. The
DAT, and the new DCC digital cassette formats at both 44.1 and
48 kHz sampling frequencies. Through clever sensing circuits, the

DTAl

will automatically choose the Optical input as the source

whenever a signal is present at that connection (as explained in

-

the Installation section). Similarly, for the 75 ohm inputs, input 1

has priority over input 2. Switching between sampling frequen-

cies is transparent.

l Quality Construction -we use only premium parts to build each

DTAl,

including double-sided masked glass epoxy circuit boards,

polypropylene capacitors, gold-plated RCA input/output connec-

tors, and a rugged heavy gauge steel enclosure.

l

Simple

lnstdation - the

location inside the vehicle with four sheet metal screws. The DTAl

obtains power from the standard 12 Vdc automotive electrical

system and uses the audio system’s remote turn-on voltage for cir­cuit activation. Once installed, the
without any need for adjustments or controls.

DACs.

This Krell preamplifier has all-discrete,

DTAl

-

to amplify the analog signals

-

for connection to digital

DTAl

is compatible with CD,

can be mounted in any convenient

DTAl

operates automatically

2

3

CONNECTIONS

l-

-l

Wiring Layout

In general, you should plan to connect the

DTAl

between the digital
source and the control head unit, as shown in Figure 3. If you are
using an equalizer or active crossover, be sure to insert the

DTAl

in

the chain before any of these components.

Determine how your vehicle’s wiring is laid out, and plan to run

your new wiring along the same routes. Be sure to keep power wires
away from

all

audio signal wires. (NOTE: Wires containing audio

signals can cross a power wire, but not run alongside it.)
You can route the new wires under the carpeting, but make sure

they do not interfere with the vehicle’s normal operation. Keep all

Figure 2

INSTALIATION

Power

Connections (Barrier Strip)

Remote: Connect to control

head

unit remote turn-on.
Ground: Connect to Chassis Ground.

+12V

Connect to

power to

DTAl

+12

Vdc. An adjacent LED indicator confirms

.

Digital Inputs

Optical: Fiber-optic

1: 75Q RCA coaxial

2:

75~

RCA coaxial

lack -

First Digital Input.

lack -

Second Digital Input.

lack -

Third Digital Input.

Analog Audio Outputs

Left: RCA audio
Right: RCA audio jack - Analog Right Output.

Automotive sound system installations can be tricky, especially for
first-timers. For this reason, we recommend using o professional

installer, who has the tools and, more importantly, the experience

to do the
we hope this manual will serve as a helpful guide.

lack -

Analog Left Output.

lob

right. If you decide to install the equipment yourself,

Recommended Signal Cables

The DTAl uses custom gold-plated RCA
of the available 3 digital audio connections. For best analog signal
transfer, we recommend using

Soundstream DL.1

Cable, Streamline Audio Cable, or an equivalent premium cable.
For digital audio connections, use a precision flexible 75 ohm
cable like Soundstream’s

HRV.

1, 75 ohm Interconnect Cable, to

insure accurate transmission of digital signals.

iacks

for analog and 2

Stereo Audio

DTAl

Figure 3

7-Way

Electronic Crossover

Zenter

Channel

Aftermarket Source Unit

(CD, DA J or Cassene Player)

Speakers

Subwoofers

4

wires inside the vehicle, hidden from passengers. An exposed wire
can inadvertently be pulled out, and may cause disconnection or

shorting.

location and Mounting

The

DTAl

is compact in size and it generates virtually no heat. It
can be located almost anywhere within the passenger compartment,
trunk, or storage area. However, do not install the

DTAl

in the

engine compartment or in any outside location exposed to dirt and

moisture.

Use the
the

DTAl

as a template to mark drill holes. Before mounting

DTAl

to your vehicle’s chassis, inspect the site for any hidden

brake or gas lines, wires, or cables.
After selecting a suitable location, mount the

DTAl

,

and then per-

form the following connection steps:

Connecting Audio Signal Cables

1.

Make sure power to your audio system is off.

2. Locate the Digital Output connector on the back of your CD or
DAT control head unit.

3. Connect an appropriate length of RCA coaxial cable from the
source’s digital output to digital 75 R input 1 on the

NOTE: If you use an optical link, connect an appropriate length of
fiber-optic cable from the source’s
on the

DTAl

.

However, if you are installing a second source, remem-

ber that the

DTAl

uses automatic priority switching to select signals

digital

output to the Optical input

at Optical input over those present at the 75 ohm inputs, 1 or 2.
Also, input 1 has priority over input 2. However, CD players not

equipped with o Remote On/Off control will continue generating
digital sync code which will be sensed by the DTAl. If this type
of player is part of your installation, we suggest connecting
unit to a lower priority input via RCA cables.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to connect an additional CD or DAT control

head unit.

5. Connect an appropriate length of high-performance stereo RCA
audio cable from the Left and Right analog audio outputs on the

DTAl to the CD or Aux input of your head unit or preamp in your

mobile system chain (see Figure 3).

Connecting Power Wires

6. With power still off, connect a black wire

Ground terminal to a good chassis ground (e.g., bare metal or bolt,

not painted or coated).

DTAl

(18

gauge) from the

the

7. Connect another (e.g., orange or aqua) wire from the Remote
terminal to your control head unit’s remote turn-on connection.

NOTE: This connection enables the DTAl to follow a timed sequence
for minimal turn-on and turn-off thumps and is required for circuit
activation.

8. Connect a red wire

0.75 A in-line (fast-blow) fuse, to a constant
that it is “hot” even when the ignition is off. Try connecting it to the
battery cable itself, or tapping into a power lead on the control
head unit (see Figure 3).

DTA 1 Operation

9. Turn on your control head unit, selecting a source connected to the

DTAl,

musical selection. With proper instollation, your
vide you with an increased sense of transparency and music repro­duction. There are no adjustments or controls.

NOTE: If you experience problems at this point, review the installa­tion steps and check all your connections. If you are installing the

DTAl as part of a new system, try leaving the

until you get your entire system operating properly first. Then repeat
steps 1 through 8 to insert the
system chain.

SERVICE

Your

enclosed warranty information carefully. Should any problem occur,
contact your local Soundstream dealer.

SPECIFICATIONS

D/A Converter

Sampling Frequency
Frequency Response
S/N
Dynamic Range
THD
Channel Separation
Minimum Recommended Load
output
Dimensions

(18

gauge) from the

+12V

terminal through a

+12

Vdc source, so

and slowly increase the volume while listening to a familiar

DTAl

should pro-

DTAl

out of the chain

DTAl

once again into the audio

DTAl

is protected by a limited warranty. Please read the

Level

8x Oversompling,
32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48
5 Hz to 20

~100 dB,

A-weighted

96

dB

<

0.03%,

20 Hz to 20 kHz

-85dBQ
6OOR

2Vrms

8.1”(L)x5”(w)x 1.5”(H)

kHz, f

1

kHz

18-bit/l-bit

kHz

0.25

dB

hybird

6