Vitus Audio MP-D201 Owner's Manual

MP-D201

Owner’s Manual

2

MP-D201 | Version 1

on a personal note

Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

from the creator

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

introduction

About this manual . . . . . . . . 6

Introduction to

the Masterpiece Series . . . . . . 6

Digital volume control and noise 7

1. getting started

Unpacking the box . . . . . . . . 8

What’s in the box . . . . . . . . . 8

MP-D201 device overview . . . . 9

The topology of

the volume control. . . . . . . .10

2. connecting

Turning the MP-D201 on and off. 11

MP-D201 rear panel . . . . . . .12

Connecting the MP-D201 . . . . 12

USB input . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3. operation

Operation modes . . . . . . . .14

Functions – left front panel . . .16
Functions – right front panel . .17
MP-D201 Menu: introduction . . 18
MP-D201 Menu:

discription of the elements. . . . 20

MP-D201 Menu: tree diagram . . 21
Installing the Vitus Audio

USB Audio Interface . . . . . . . 22

Installing the driver . . . . . . . . 22

Setting up the Media player. . .23
Installing the USB driver

on windows XP . . . . . . . . . . 24

Installing the USB driver

on windows Vista/7 . . . . . . . . 26

4. operation & service

Safety notice . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Mains supply voltage . . . . . .28

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Mains fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Replacing a blown fuse . . . . .30

5. warranty

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

All rights reserved. No part
of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in or
introduced into a retrieval
system, or transmitted in
any form, or by any means
(electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording
or otherwise) without the
prior written permission of
Vitus Audio. Any person who
does any unauthorized act
in relation to this publication
may be liable to criminal
prosecution and civil claims for
damages.

Information contained in this
manual is subject to change
without notice, and whilst it
is checked for accuracy, no
liabilities can be accepted for
errors.

3

MP-D201 | Version 1

table of contents

6. specifications

MP-D201 Specifications . . . . . 35

7. examples operation

Example 1 . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Example 2 . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Example 3 . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Example 4 . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Example 5 . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Example 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Example 6 . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Example 7 . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Example 8 . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Example 7 . . . . . . . . . . . .45

7. examples installing
software

Installing a media player

Foobar2000 . . . . . . . . . . .46

7. examples
connecting devices

Connecting devices 1 . . . . . . 48

Connecting devices 2 . . . . . . 49

Connecting devices 3 . . . . . .50

8. RC-010
system remote

RC-010 System Remote . . . . .51

8. RC-010
getting started

What’s included . . . . . . . . .52

RC-010 System Remote

Device overview . . . . . . . . .53

8. RC-010 operation

RC-010 System Remote

operation modes . . . . . . . . . 54

The menu structure . . . . . . .59

RC-010 Discription of
the elements in the menu. 60
RC-010 The menu structure . . . 61

8. RC-010 examples

RC-010 examples setup . . . . . 62

Example 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Example 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Example 2.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Example 2.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Example 2.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Example 2.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Example 2.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Example 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Example 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Example 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Example 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Example 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

8. RC-010 controls

The functions of the buttons . . 74

8. RC-010 specifications

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 76

9. pictures RC-010

RC-010 Picture . . . . . . . . . . 77

9. pictures MP-D201

MP-D201 Inside view . . . . . . . 78

MP-D201 Front . . . . . . . . . . 79

4

MP-D201 | Version 1

on a personal note

Certificate

Model: MP-D201

Product ID/Serial

__________________________________

Product Build Date

__________________________________

Signed

__________________________________

All products details, specifications and
measurements are recorded for your MP­D201 and kept by Vitus Audio.

5

MP-D201 | Version 1

from the creator

Foreword

First of all, thank you for
choosing the Vitus Audio
MP-D201 digital analog
converter, we are sure you
will enjoy it for many years
to come. When purchasing
a Vitus Audio product, you
are guaranteed a musical
performance, which exceeds
the current musical standards.
Vitus Audio is dedicated to
musical performance rather
than technical details and
high performance measures.
We believe that many
manufactures are blinded by
the current available theory,
instead of looking for new
answers.

At Vitus Audio everything
works until proven not to.
This way we always try to
push the limits and explore
the unexplored. As a result
of this, many of the solutions
we use today are considered
to be “impossible to ever
get working”,however they
have convinced many people
and reviewers world wide
of the opposite. Before any
of our new topologies are
implemented in our products,
they are carefully reviewed by
our dedicated listening panel.
This way we can guarantee
the correct level of musically
performance and robustness.

Generally we’re after super
neutral, super detailed and
super dynamic reproduction
without “loosing” the nerve
in the music which often is
a drawback of many high
end amplifiers. Our real
strongholds are complete
silence, unbelievable depth
and width in the soundstage
resulting in a far more open
sound with higher resolution

-you could say, closer to the
artist. As a result of the above,
our amps do not “focus” on
any specific frequencies - i.e.
no extension of top or bas,
which of course results in high
clarity of the midrange since
it’s “naturally present”!

Hans Ole Vitus

6

MP-D201 | Version 1

introduction

About this manual

This is your MP-D201 owner’s
manual. The following pages
will describe, as clearly
as possible, how to get
your MP-D201 operating
fast and simple. Although
some operations are self­explanatory, we strongly
suggest you read this manual
to avoid any damage to the
unit. The manual is designed
to be helpful. If there are
points you feel we could cover
better, or that we have missed
out – please tell us.

Important

information
is presented like
this. Ignoring this
information may cause
damage to you or the
unit. Damage caused
to the unit by ignoring
this information might
invalidate the warranty.

Introduction to the
Masterpiece Series

The Vitus Audio Masterpiece
Series is a true high-end series
of products, which is build on
our true dedication to neutral
music reproduction. Every
detail is carefully thought
through, and all choices made
during development, where
based purely on listening, and
not measuring. Only the best
available materials are used to
ensure an overall quality which
will last for many years, when
treated right.



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MP-D201 | Version 1

introduction

F

120

100

80

60

40

- 40

20

- 20

0

C

50

40

30

- 20

20

10

- 10

- 40

- 30

0

introduction

This amplifier is
VERY heavy –

make sure to be
at least two people to
unpack the unit. You
might damage both
your back and the
amplifier if extra care
is not applied. Vitus
Audio A/S cannot
be held responsible
for any damage that
is a consequence of
uncareful handling of
the unit.

 

After unpacking
allow 24 hours
for the product to

reach room temperature
before connecting up
and switching on. This
is to allow condensation
to dissipate, which
might otherwise
cause damage to the
electronics. Remember
also that condensation
can form when you
move the amplifier from
a cold place to a warm
room.

CAUTION

Digital volume
control and noise

The MP-D201 has a digital
(DAC )volume control. You can
use this digital volume control
to adjust the output volume.
The volume control by default
is set to 0.0 dB.

The level of noise on the
output of the DAC is constant.
When you lower the signal
output of the DAC (turn the
volume down) the relative
noise level increases (you hear
more noise).

We recommend that you set
the volume of the MP-D201
to 0.0 dB and use the volume
control of your amplifier.

Figure 1 Box exploded view

Foam bottom

Box

Foam top

Foam Sides
6 pieces

MP-D201

Brochure

Manual

Andromeda power cord

Remote Charger

RC-010

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MP-D201 | Version 1

Unpacking the box

After you have opened the
top, it is possible to remove
the top protective foam which
gives you direct access to the
amplifier. In the top you will
find the remote, the power
cord and brochures. Now
remove the side protective
foam, this will make it easier
to grab hold of the MP-D201.
Two people carefully lift the
amplifier out of the box, and
put it directly onto the floor.

Store the empty box and the
protective foam for later use.

What’s in the box

MP-D201
RC-010 System Remote (Optional)
Remote Charger (Optional)
Andromeda Power Cord
MP-D201 Manual
Vitus Audio Brochure

Foam top
Foam Sides 6 pieces
Foam bottom
Box

1. getting started

Figure 2 Device overview

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MP-D201 | Version 1

1. getting started

1. getting started

MP-D201 device
overview

The body of the MP-D201
is constructed of anodized
aluminium.

Material: anodized aluminium.

Dimensions (H x W x D):
130 x 435 x 430

Weight: 24 KG

135 mm

435 mm

435 mm

20 mm

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MP-D201 | Version 1

1. getting started

The topology of the volume
control used in the MP-D201
is very different compared
to the “standard”. The MP­D201 uses a series of fixed
resistor networks to control
the volume. Relays are used
to switch between the resistor
networks. Across all volume
steps, a fixed resistor is in
series with the signal path. This
gives the best performance
possible. When you change
volume, a different number of
shunt resistors are used.

To prevent pop in the output,
we have chosen to first add
the new shunt resistors, and
then wait a short time, before
removing the unused shunt
resistors at the new volume
step. This will give a minor fall
in volume before settling at
the new volume step. It takes
only very little time to get
used to this type of operation
of the volume, and it will give
you superior sound quality
over the traditional digital and
analogue potentio meters.

The topology of the volume control.

Only with the optional volume board installed

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MP-D201 | Version 1

2. connecting

2. connecting

Turning the MP-D201 on and off.

Always turn on the products
beginning from the source:

Digital input a DAC a pre-amplifier a power
amplifier.

Always turn off your products in
reverse order:

Power amplifier a pre-amplifier a DAC a Digital
input.



Not following this procedure,

may cause damage to any

of your products/speakers.

Damage caused to any of your

products/speakers by not

following this procedure will

invalidate the warranty.

MP-D201 rear panel

Inputs.

Input 1 USB

Input 2,3. XLR

Input 4,5 RCA

Power

Outputs

Ground/Earth

Analog out RCA (R+L)

Analog out XLR (R+L)

Figure 4 Plugs

USB b (male)

Ground

XLR out (L+R)

RCA out (L+R)

Power

Place the MP-D201 on its shelf.
Connect all the sources to
the inputs of the MP-D201,
Connect the outputs of the
MP-D201. Carefully connect
the mains to the MP-D201,
after you have connected both
inputs and outputs.

USB input

The USB-input must be
connected to a USB 2.0
(or faster).

RCA in

RCA out (S/PDIF)

Connecting the
MP-D201

XLR in

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MP-D201 | Version 1

2. connecting

Denmark

Master piece Series

CD-Transport - MP-D201

Warning

Risk of electrical shock

DO NOT OPEN

No user serviceable parts inside

Warning

To prevent re and shock

hazard, do not expose this device

to rain and moisture

Input 1 Input 2 Input 3 Input 4

Analog Output Right Analog Output Left

Input 5

NEUTRIK

PUSH

NEUTRIK

PUSH

Figure 4 MP-D201 Rear panel.

XLR outRCA in RCA out RCA out

Fuse

PowerXLR inUSB in

13

MP-D201 | Version 1

2. connecting

2. connecting

Figure 5 MP-D201 Front panel.

INPUT

MENU

SELECT

STANDBY

MUTE

MP-D

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MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

Operation modes

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MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

The MP-D201 has 3
operation modes

1. Normal mode.

This is the mode you use when
listening to music.

2. Menu mode

In this mode you can alter the
settings of the MP-D201.

3. Standby mode.

In this mode the controls of
the MP-D201 are deactivated.

The MP-D201 does not shut
down in Standby Mode in
order to maintain an optimal
working temperature

3 Operation modes

3. operation

Figure 6 MP-D201 Left front panel.

INPUT

MENU

SELECT

STANDBY

MUTE

MP-D

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MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

Normal mode

In normal mode there are
3 basic functions/buttons
available on the left front.

1. INPUT Selects between
the 5 inputs.

2. MENU Switches to
“Menu mode”.

3. STANDBY Switches in and
out of
“Standby Mode”

Menu mode

You enter menu mode, by
pushing the ”MENU” button
once in Normal mode. In the
Menu mode there are 3 basic
functions/buttons:

1.  Scroll forward in the
menu.

2. MENU/ Enter & Exit
SELECT submenus and
selectsettings.

3.  Scroll backward in the
menu.

Functions – left front panel

INPUT

MENU

SELECT

STANDBY

MUTE

MP-D

Figure 7 MP-D201 Right front panel.

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MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

Normal mode

In normal mode there are
3 basic functions/buttons
available on the right front:

1.  Turns volume UP.

2. MUTE Mutes the output.

3.  Turns volume DOWN.

Menu mode

In the text-menu it is possible
to change the name of the
input. This is done by using
the following buttons from the
right front:

1.  Change selected
character.

2. MUTE Go to the next
character
in the display.

3.  Change selected
character.

Functions – right front panel

3. operation

* With DAC Volume ON

*

*

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MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

You can modify the settings of
the MP-D201. You do this by
entering the menu. You can
find a graphical reproduction
of the menu. The sub-menus
are indicated with a colour.

OUTPUT DATA DAC VOL

RESET, V.INIT and INPUTS

In the Appendix ( chapter 7
of the manual ) you can find
various examples of how to
change the settings of the
MP-D201.

Selecting output

Here you can switch between
output-one and output-two.

Reset

Restore the settings of the
MP-D201 to its default settings.

DAC Volume control

The MP-D201 has a volume
control that you can use to
adjust the output volume of
the DAC module. The volume
control by default is turned
off When you turn the volume
controle on, the menu items

V.INIT, FIXED and OFFSET

will appear in the menu
(become visble).

When you use the MP-D201
together with a preamplifier
or integrated amplifier, it is
recommended that you bypass
the volume control of the MP­D201.

MP-D201 Menu: introduction

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MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

3. operation

Input settings

The MP-D201 comes with
5 inputs. The settings for
each individual input can be
adjusted in the menu.The input
selection is saved automatically
every 10 minutes. Each time
you initialize the MP-D201, the
last saved setting is restored.
You can manually save a
setting by pressing the MENU
button down 2-3 sec. When
“SAVE” is shown in the display,
the setting has been saved.

Input name settings

As a standard, the inputs are
named input 1, input 2, etc. In
the text-menu you can find a
list of predefined input names.
If the name of your device is
not in the list, you can choose
to make your own device
name.

Input gain settings

Offset gain setting / Sensitivity
setting. Different sources often
have different output voltages.
This has a direct influence
on the typical volume level
that is needed for a specific
sound level, hence changing
between sources can result in
high sound level differences.
To accommodate easy
operation, we have included
a gain (or as some prefer to
call it – sensitivity setting) in
our amplifiers – it simply sets
the volume starting point at a
specific volume – to match the
source. The offset-value can be
set from - 12 dB to +12 dB.

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MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

SETUP

Change the settings of the MP­D201

OUTPUT

Change between XLR out or RCA
out.

DAC VOL

Turn the volume control of the
MP-D201 on and off.

DATA

Shows information about this
MP-D201.

HW vx.xx

Hardware version

SW vx.xx

Software version

xx-20xx

Last updated

RESET

Restore the settings of the
MP-D201 to its default settings.

V.INIT

Change the initial dB step of the
volume in the MP-D201 to any
step between -99 and12.dB

VOL.STEP

The MP-D201 has a standard
volume step of -40 dB. You can
set the volume step to a step,
between -99 dB to 0 dB. This step
will be the new volume step. Even
when after the power cord has
been disconnected the MP-D201
still starts up in the new volume
step.

REMEMBER

Set the MP-D201 to remember
the current volume step. The MP­D201 will start up in this volume
step when it leaves standby.
This volume step however is not
remembered when the power
cord is removed. Then the MP­D201 will initiate in the volume
step as it is defined in the V.INIT
sub-menu.

BRIGHT

Change the brightness of the
display any step between 0 and 3.

INPUTS

Change settings for each input.

INPUT X

Change the settings of input X.

TEXT

Choose a name for input X.

OFFSET

Select an offset- gain, between

-12 and 12 dB, for input X.

SET FIX

Set the volume of input X to a
fixed dB step. (Input X is now
locked to a dB step and can not
be adjusted with the volume
control)

FIXED

Lock and unlock the volume by
switching between FIX ON/FIX
OFF.

ADJUST

Adjust the fixed dB step to any
step between -99 and +12 dB

MP-D201 Menu: discription of the elements.

21

MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

MP-D201 Menu: tree diagram

XLR OUT

RCA OUT

MENU

RESET NO / RESET YES

VOL ON / VOL OFF

DATA HW vx.xx

SW vx.xx

xx-20xx

MP-D201

RESET

DAC VOL

BACK

SETUP

V.INIT

0 / 3BRIGHT

INPUT 2

INPUT 3

INPUT 4

INPUT 5

BACK

INPUT 1 BACK

-12 dB / +12 dBOFFSET

FIXEDINPUTS

LEAVE

OUTPUT

BACK

REMEMBER

-99 dB / +0 dB

VOL.STEP

ADJUST -99 dB / 0 dB

FIX ON / FIX OFFSET FIX

*The menu item DAC VOL becomes invisible when
the optional Volume board is installed.

**Visible with DAC VOL ON.

This menu item is hidden when DAC VOL is OFF

TEXT

BACK

List with products

*

**

3. operation

22

MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

Installing the Vitus
Audio USB Audio
Interface

The MP-D201 can be
connected to a computer
with the one of the following
operating systems.

Windows XP 32 bit
Windows XP 64 bit
Windows Vista 32 bit
Windows Vista 64 bit
Windows 7 32 bit
Windows 7 64 bit
MAC OS

The digital source must have
one of the following sample­frequencies.

32,0 kHz......+/-3%

44,1 kHz......+/-3%

48,0 kHz......+/-3%

88,2 kHz......+/-3%

96,0 kHz......+/-3%

176,4 kHz......+/-3%

192,0 kHz......+/-3%

Installing the driver

Before you install the driver on
your pc make sure that the MP­D201 is connected to a power
source and the PC and the MP­D201 have to be connected
with an USB cable.

On the CD you can find
the installation files for the
different operating systems
mentioned before.

23

MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

4. operation &

service

Setting up the Media
player.

We recommend that you use
a media player that can be set
to have its output in Kernel­streaming mode.

Do not use Windows Media
Player. Windows Media
Player does not support
Kernel Streaming.

The output of the media­player has to be set to Kernel
streaming and Vitus Audio
Interface.

Always close the media­player program before
connecting or disconnecting
the MP-D201 to the
computer.

In chapter 7 we will show how
to set up Foobar2000 a free
mediaplayer.

Kernel Streaming

Kernel Streaming or Direct
Kernel streaming (Direct KS)
is a technique that supports
kernel-mode processing of
streamed data. It enables
efficient real-time streaming
for multimedia devices such
as sound cards and TV tuner
cards. Kernel streaming allows
a device driver to create Direct
Show-like filters and pins in
kernel mode, providing access
to hardware, lower latency
communication and still be
used within a DirectShow filter
graph.

24

MP-D201 | Version 1

3. operation

2 WinXP.

On the cd enter the folder
named WinXP and doubleclick
the file named Setup 32.

1 Put the CD in your computer

and double click on the CD
icon.

3 Software installation.

Press Next.

5 Hardware installation.

Press Continue Anyway when
the following warning appears.

4 Software installation.

Press next when the driver has
been installed.

Installing the
USB driver on
windows XP