DAC501/DAC502
Quick Start Guide
The first steps with your DAC50x
Software Version 1.7.0 r1779
Weiss Enginering Ltd. DAC501/DAC502
Contents
1 The DAC501/DAC502 1
2 Quick Start Guide 2
2.1 Setting up the DAC50x hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Selecting the output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.3 Selecting the output level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.4 Selecting the input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.5 IR Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.6 Web Interface and software updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The first steps with your DAC50x i Quick Start Guide
Weiss Enginering Ltd. DAC501/DAC502
1 The DAC501/DAC502
Congratulations on purchasing
the DAC501 or DAC502 D/A Converter!
The DAC501/DAC502 are our new state of the art D/A Converters with an unprecedented level of sophistication
and versatility. With the DAC50x we are creating a new paradigm for what used to be a black box device.
A typical D/A Converter is a ”set and forget” device. Not so with the DAC50x. It adds a number of interesting
signal processing features and sports a variety of digital inputs. Balanced, unbalanced and headphone outputs
are provided.
Weiss Engineering has a 30 year history in D/A Converter design. In that time span we have learned a thing
or two about converter design. The DAC50x is the essence of our experiences.
The DAC502 uses a larger frame but else sports the same features as the DAC501. Except for an an additional
4 pin headphone socket at the back of the unit. The front of the DAC502 is displayed at the top and the DAC501
in the middle of this page. The term DAC50x refers to both models.
The basic operation of the DAC50x is outlined in this Quick Start Guide. For all the powerful features of the
DAC50x refer the DAC50x User Manual and White Papers mentioned below.
The first steps with your DAC50x 1 Quick Start Guide
Weiss Enginering Ltd. DAC501/DAC502
2 Quick Start Guide
This Quick Start Guide presents the first steps to set up the DAC50x unit. Further and more detailed informations
about the DAC50x and its features can be found in the DAC501/DAC502 User Manual and White Papers.
2.1 Setting up the DAC50x hardware
Carefully unpack the DAC50x unit. The following items should be included:
• The DAC50x unit
• This quick start guide with a warranty card
• An IR remote control unit
After unpacking the DAC50x connect the necessary input/output cables at the back of the unit.
Also connect the mains cable. The mains voltage is automatically sensed by the DAC50x. Mains voltages
between 90V and 240V are allowed. No manual mains voltage selection is necessary.
To switch on the unit press on the rotary knob on the faceplate or press the power on/off button on the IR remote
(upper/left corner). Wait for about half a minute for the unit to boot.
Note: Most of the parameters mentioned below can also be set via the DAC50x’s web interface. If you have
connected your DAC50x with an Ethernet cable to a router unit you may access the DAC50x via web browser.
Enter this URL into your browser:
• dac501-nnnn.local (for a DAC501 unit) or dac502-nnnn.local (for a DAC502 unit)
• ”nnnn” is the serial number of your DAC50x unit. You see that number on the back of the unit.
• Note, for serial numbers 0139 or lower enter dac50x-nnnn.local to access the web interface.
2.2 Selecting the output
The DAC50x has two outputs, the line output (XLR and RCA connectors at the back) and the headphone output
(jack connector on the faceplate). In the case of the DAC502 an additional 4 pin headphone socket can be
found at the back.
Only one of the two outputs (line/headphone) can be active at any time. Which one is active can be selected
The first steps with your DAC50x 2 Quick Start Guide
Weiss Enginering Ltd. DAC501/DAC502
either with the remote control (two keys in the middle/top) or via the touch screen by pressing on the red
speaker/headphone icon to toggle between line and headphone outputs.
Most of the parameters in the DAC50x can be set differently between line and headphone outputs, e.g. the
output volume, equalizer settings etc.
2.3 Selecting the output level
Be careful with the output level upon first operation. Best is to lower the level to a very low value
with the rotary knob or via the remote control.
The DAC50x has 4 coarse level settings (analog
domain) to match the basic output level with the
amplifier and headphone at hand.
The line and headphone outputs can be set to different levels. Proceed as follows:
• Select the output you would like to set
(line or headphone)
• Tap on the Setup pad on the touch screen
• With the knob scroll the display such that you can see the Output Level entry
• Tap on the Output level pad in order to select one of the settings. 0dB is the highest level while -30dB is
the lowest level.
Now you may want to repeat that with the other output selected as the active output.
2.4 Selecting the input
The input source can be selected by either tapping on the input pad on the touch screen or via
the remote control. The following inputs can be
selected:
• XLR (XLR socket)
• RCA (RCA socket)
• TOS (optical socket)
• USB (USB type B socket (quadratic shape),
the type A socket is used for other purposes)
• UPnP (Ethernet socket)
The first steps with your DAC50x 3 Quick Start Guide
Weiss Enginering Ltd. DAC501/DAC502
The XLR, RCA and TOS inputs are self-explanatory. For the USB input, when used with:
• a MacOS system, no driver is required
• a Windows based system needs a driver which can be downloaded from here: https://www.weiss.ch/
files/downloads/dac501-dac502/WeissEngineering_USBAudio_v4.36.0_2017-11-16_setup.exe
For the UPnP input an application running on a
tablet can be used to transfer files from a NAS
unit to the DAC50x or to stream from e.g. Tidal
directly to the DAC50x or to listen to web based
radio stations. Suitable apps are:
• for iPad: mconnectHD or Creation 5
• for Android: BubbleUPnP
2.5 IR Remote Control
Most of the keys on the IR remote control are selfexplanatory. Here are some additional remarks:
• The ”polarity” key changes the absolute polarity of the output signal. If this is engaged
(i.e. signal is inverted), the level figure on
the LCD display turns yellow.
• The ”mute” key when engaged mutes the
output signal completely and the level figure
on the LCD turns red.
• The DSP presets keys select one of the
presets stored in the DSP. Currently we do
not have yet assembled any factory DSP
presets, but you are welcome to do your
own. More information on the DSP presets
is given in the web interface chapter.
2.6 Web Interface and software updates
As mentioned above you may access the DAC50x via a web browser provided you have connected your
DAC50x with an Ethernet cable to a Router unit. Enter this URL into your browser:
• dac501-nnnn.local (for a DAC501 unit) or dac502-nnnn.local (for a DAC502 unit)
• ”nnnn” is the serial number of your DAC50x unit. You see that number on the back of the unit.
• Note, for serial numbers 0139 or lower enter dac50x-nnnn.local to access the web interface.
The web interface is described in more detail in the User Manual and White Papers.
Software updates
In the figure below you see a screen shot of the web interface. At the bottom there is a pad named ”Check for
Update”. If you tap on that the DAC50x checks whether there is any new firmware available to be downloaded.
If this is the case the new firmware is listed and the pad changes to ”Download Update”. If you tap on the pad
the update will be downloaded. This may take some time depending on the speed of your Internet connection.
The first steps with your DAC50x 4 Quick Start Guide
Weiss Enginering Ltd. DAC501/DAC502
Once the download has finished, the pad changes to ”Install Update”. Again tap on the pad to install the downloaded firmware.
This again takes a minute or two, just wait until the pad changes to ”Reboot with Update”. Again tap on the pad
to start rebooting the DAC50x unit.
Files to download (drivers, manuals) for the DAC50x can be found here:
• http://www.weiss.ch/download/dac501-dac502
• Manual: https://www.weiss.ch/files/downloads/dac501-dac502/dac50x-user-man-r1779.pdf
• USB driver for Windows: https://www.weiss.ch/files/downloads/dac501-dac502/WeissEngineering_
USBAudio_v4.36.0_2017-11-16_setup.exe
The first steps with your DAC50x 5 Quick Start Guide
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