ANK DAC 2.1 Signature Instructions d'utilisation

DAC2.1 Signature

Construction Manual

Version 6.11, June 2019

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1-613-822-7188

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Table of Contents

Section 1 —Introduction ……………………………………………..………………………….…………………… 6

1.1 About ANK Audio Kits ……………………………………………..………………………….…………………… 7

1.2 Basic Operation of the DAC ………………………………….………………………………..…………… 8

1.2.1 Overview ………………………………….……………………………………………..…………… 8

1.2.2 Component Placement ………………………………….……..……………………………………… 10

1.2.3 Block Diagram ………………………………………………………………………….……..…………… 11

1.3 Equipment ……………………………..…………………………………………………………………………… 12

1.3.1 Overview of the Kit ……………………………………………………….………….…………… 12

1.4 Tips and Suggestions …………………………………………………….………….…………………………… 12

1.4.1 Soldering …………………………………………………….……….……………………………… 12

1.4.2 Components ……………………….…………………………….……………………………………… 13

1.4.3 Resistor Sizes ……………………………………………….……….………………….………………… 13

1.4.4 Capacitor Manufacturers and Voltage Ratings ………………………………………… 13

1.4.5 Electrolytic Capacitors ………………………………………………………………………………… 13

1.4.6 Diodes ………………………………………….……………………………..………………………………… 14

1.4.7 Hardware/Mechanical ………………………………………………………………………………… 14

1.4.8 Wire Stripping and Tinning …………………………………………………………………… 14

1.4.9 Wire Color ……………………………………………………..……………….……………………… 15

1.4.10 Optional Finishing Touches …………………………..……………….……………………… 15

1.5 Build Process …………………………………………………………………………….…………………..………… 15

1.5.1 Some Good Rules of Thumb for Building Your DAC …………………………… 15

1.5.2 Organization of this Manual ………………………………………………………..…….…… 16

1.5.3 Electrical Safety Warning …………………………………….…………………..………… 18

Section 2 —Mechanical Assembly and Initial Mains Transformer Wiring …… 19

2.1 Overview …………………………………………………………………………………..….………..…….…… 19

2.2 Installing the Feet ……………………………………………………………………..….………..…….…… 20

2.3 Installing the Choke …………………………………………………………………………………..…….…… 22

2.4 Installing the Chassis Ground ……………………………………………………………………..…….…… 26

2.5 Installing the IEC Socket and Rocker Switch …………………………………………..…….…… 27

2.6 Mains Transformer Preparation ……………………..……………………………………….…… 28

2.6.1 Attaching the Ground Lug …………………………………………………………………… 29

2.7 Configuring the Mains Primary Winding …................................………………………… 30

2.8 Initial Mains Secondary Wiring ………………………………………………………………………………… 34

2.9 Installing the Mains Transformer and AC Connections ………………………………………… 35

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Section 3 —M2 Power Supply Board ………………………………….…………………….…………… 41

3.1 Overview ………………………………………….…………………………………………………………….…… 41

3.2 Installing the Valve Bases …………………………………………………………..….………..…….…… 43

3.3 Installing the Resistors ……………………………………………………………………………………..…….…… 45

3.4 Installing the 6V2 Wires…………………………………………………………..……………………………….…… 48

3.5 Installing the Capacitors ………………………………………………………………………..…….…… 50

3.6 Installing the Bridge Rectifier ……………………………………………………………….…..…..…….…… 51

3.7 Installing the Zener Diode …………………………………………………..……..….….…… 52

3.8 Filament Section ……………………………………………………………………………….………….…… 53

3.8.1 Installing the Regulators and Heatsinks …………………………………………...…………… 54

3.8.2 Installing the Remaining Capacitors …………………………………………...…………… 55

3.9 Additional Wiring …………………………………………………………………………………........….…… 57

3.9.1 Connecting to the Mains Transformer and Choke ……………….……………… 60

Section 4 —M2 Power Supply Testing ………………………………………………….….……………..…66

4.1 Installing the Mains Fuse ……………………………………………….…………...………………...…… 66

4.2 Installing the LED Indicator ……………………………………………………………...……………….…… 67

4.3 Installing the Tubes …………………………………………………………………………….…………..….…… 67

4.4 Tidying Up …………………………………………………………………………….……………………..…….…… 67

4.5 Ohm Check ………………………………………………………………………………………..……..………...…… 68

4.6 Electrical Testing …………………………………………………………………………………..………..…… 68

4.7 Voltage Check Summary ……………………………………………………………………..…….…….…71

4.7.1 DC Voltage Checks ……………………………………………………………………..………..…… 71

4.7.2 AC Voltage Checks ……………………………………………………………………..…….…….…71

4.8 Last Steps ………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….…….… 71

Section 5 —Digital Power Supply Board ……………………………………………………….……………… 72

5.1 Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………..…………..…….…… 72

5.2 Parts List ………………………………………………………………………………………..…………..…….…… 73

5.3 Construction ………………………………………………………………………………….….……………..…….…… 74

5.4 Installing the LEDs ………………………………………………………………………...………..……..….…… 74

5.5 Installing the Capacitors ……………………………………………………………………..……………… 75

5.6 Installing the Schottky Diodes ………………………………………………………..…………………………… 77

5.7 Installing the Resistors …………………………………………………………..…………………………..…….…… 78

5.8 Installation and Wiring ………………………………………………………………..……………………..…….…… 79

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Section 6 —Analog Board ……………………………………………………………..………………………….….……… 83

6.1 Overview …………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..…… 83

6.2 Installing the Valve Bases ………………………………………………………………………..………..…… 84

6.3 Installing the Resistors …………………………………………………………………………..……..……..…….…… 86

6.4 Installing the Capacitors …………………………………………………………………..…..…..…….…… 87

6.5 Final Checks ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….…… 89

Section 7 —Analog Board Filament and HT …………………………….………………… 90

7.1 Filament Wiring ………………………………………………………………………..……………………..…… 92

7.2 HT Wiring …………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….…….…92

Section 8 —Installing the Digital DAC Board …………………………………………………..………… 93

8.1 Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..….….…… 93

8.2 Installation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..….….…… 96

Section 9 —Finishing the Interwiring of the Digital DAC Board ……………..……… 97

Section 10 —Installing the I/V Transformers ……………………………………………………..……… 99

10.1 Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..…… 99

10.2 Installing the I/V Transformers …………………………………………………………………………..……..…… 100

10.3 Wiring the I/V Transformers …………………………………………………………………………..……..…… 101

Section 11 —Installing the Rear Faceplate and Connectors ……………..……...............…. 103

11.1 Overview …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 103

11.2 Installing the Rear Faceplate ………………………………………………………………………………………. 104

11.3 Installing the Input Selector Switch …………………………………………………………………………. 105

11.4 Installing the Other Connectors …………………………………………………………………………. 106

11.5 Input Connections ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 108

11.5.1 Connecting the S/PDIF (RCA) Input ……………………………………………………………. 109

11.5.2 Connecting the USB Input …………………………………………………………………………. 110

11.5.3 Connecting the XLR Input …………………………………………………………………………. 112

Section 12 —Wiring the Output Connections ………………..…………………………..……………… 113

12.1 Wiring the Output Connections ………………………………………………………………………………………. 113

Section 13 —Turn-on Procedure ……………………………………………………………………….. 115

13.1 Turn-on .......................................................................................................................................... 115

13.2 Debugging .......................................................................................................................................... 116

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Section 14 —Finishing Touches ……………………..………………………….…………………….…...………… 117

14.1 Installing the Front Faceplate ………..………………………………………..…………………………………… 117

14.2 Installing the LED ……………………..………………………………………..…………………………………… 117

14.3 Installing the Chassis Top ………..………………………………………..…………………………………… 117

Section 15 —Final Thoughts ……………………..………………………….…………………….…...………… 118

15.1 Congratulations ……………………..………………………………………..…………………………………… 118

15.2 System Configuration Options ………………..…….……………………………………………….…...………… 118

15.3 Cables …………………………………..………………………….……………………………………………….…...………… 119

15.4 Tube Rolling ……………………..………………………….……………………………………………….…...………… 119

15.4.1 6922 ……………………..…………………..……….………………………..……………………...…………… 119

15.4.2 6X5 and ECL82 ……………………..………………………………………………………….…….…………… 119

15.5 Thanks ……………………..…………………………………………………..……………….…………….………………….… 120

Appendix ……………………………………………..……………………………………………………..….……….……….…… 121

A.1 World Mains Voltages Wiring Diagrams …………………………………………….…..…….…… 122

A.2 Resistor Color Code Reference ……………………………………………………………………….…..…….…… 128

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Section 1

Introduction

Thanks for purchasing the ANK Audio Kits DAC 2.1 Signature. Our goal is to provide you with

the highest quality kit that you will build from scratch with these instructions.

This is very high end and sophisticated piece of audio equipment that will surely become a

showpiece of your sound system. We're excited that you have chosen to join us in enjoying and

appreciating superb audio and we've created this manual to help guide you through each step

of the assembly process with as much detail and clarity as possible. To facilitate the build

process, the manual has been divided into a number of sections, each focusing on a separate

aspect of the system: follow the sections in order and we guarantee you not only a problem-

free experience, but a pleasant time doing so. If you are new to building kits, or if at any time

you feel as though you need help or advice, feel free to contact us and we will do whatever it

takes to get you on the right track.

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1.1 About ANK Audio Kits

Audio Note (UK) started out in the early '90s developing several DIY audio kits while they were

building up their finished product business. DIY Audio has a long history and it was an

opportunity for knowledgeable customers to take advantage of world class designs and

components. Audio Note (UK) was focused on using the very finest materials and components

custom-made to their specifications, across their entire product line —from custom film and

electrolytic capacitors to tantalum resistors, transformers, binding posts, wires, etc. The Kit1

300B Single Ended integrated amplifier was born during development of the Meishu and it

proved to be extremely popular worldwide. The ANKit business was born!

As the finished product business and dealer network started to flourish, Audio Note (UK)

eventually moved the kit business off into a separate division; thus, in 2004, Audio Note Kits

started up and was supported by a website so that customers not located near Audio Note (UK)

dealers could order kits and have them shipped direct. Kit development continued in earnest

during the 2000s with development assisted by Audio Note (UK) engineering. Audio Note (UK)

parts were used throughout the kits, depending on the various levels and budgets. By 2013,

ANK Audio Kits (as it came to be called) had developed a wide product range covering all areas

of two channel audio: a single-ended 300B product line, an EL34 and EL34 classAB and single-

ended product line, digital to analog converters, pre-amplifiers, Phono stages, and Audio Note

(UK) speaker kits. The end result today is that customers worldwide with DIY skills can now

build an entire high end audio system to their liking. With the introduction of higher levels in

2013 and the release of the Level 5 Mentor Pre-amplifier and the DAC 5.1 Signature, some

customers wanted these high end products assembled by a professional builder. As a result,

ANK Audio Kits began offering this service for Level 4 and 5 products so that a significant

investment in a kit could be turned into a work of art! Since ANK Audio Kits was born in 2004,

over 2,500 kits have been shipped to customers worldwide. Clearly, there is a real demand for

high end audio kits and ANK Audio Kits has been delivering the goods now for 15 years.

We believe and hope that you will have a great experience building your kit and we look

forward to hearing from you about your experience.

Regards,

Brian Smith —Director ANK Audio Kits

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1.2 Basic Operation of the DAC

1.2.1 Overview

The ANK Audio Kits DAC 2.1 is one of our longest running products with a significant following.

Originally developed as the DAC 2.1A and DAC 2.1B variants, we now have concentrated

production on the upgraded variant that is now known as simply the DAC 2.1 Signature. The

DAC 2.1 Signature offers velvet smooth operation with no digital artifacts or treble edge.

Following the Audio Note (UK) tradition of non-oversampling resistor ladder architecture (R-

2R) pure digital to analog conversion method, it hard-wires digital information directly to

output voltage.

The DAC 2.1 Signature boasts numerous features and supports up to 24/96kHz data and

sampling widths. The DAC has the very high quality M2 Power Supply (6X5 rectified and ECL82

regulated) for ultimate smoothness and, to complete the pure digital to analog design, the

Digital DAC board has no analog filtering (which has been completely removed) with no digital

artifacts for a smooth-as-velvet output. Even though the DAC 2.1 Signature is our lowest priced

DAC, this enhanced variant —with its upgraded power supply, Audio Note (UK) tantalum non-

magnetic resistors, and Audio Note (UK) Copper Foil Capacitors —hits well above its price

point and is a true audiophile DAC in its own right.

Design Elements

Audio Note (UK) realized at a very early stage that when it comes to the digital-to-analog

conversion phase, simplest was best. Although many manufacturers' DACs may measure well

on the test bench using upsampling or oversampling techniques, the Audio Note (UK) method of

no oversampling (also referred to as 1x Oversampling), direct-from-disk technique simply

sounds better. This method means that no digital filtering is performed on our DACs. What's

more, analog filtering has also been eliminated from our designs to yield yet another

improvement over the accepted (Delta-Sigma) norm.

Delta-Sigma DACs and R-2R resistor ladder DACs are quite different. Rather than using

feedback loops and high frequency oversampling clocks to produce an approximation of the

digital data as Delta-Sigma types do, an R-2R DAC will turn on each required bit in the digital

'word' and the precise amount of current will flow from the chip to reconstruct the analog

waveform. This method is simple, elegant, and perfect, and its true representation of the

digital data is reflected in the uncompromised sound quality. The DAC 2.1 Signature digital

board comes fully assembled and includes a digital input transformer.

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Further, the DAC 2.1 Signature's I/V transformers couple and maximize energy transfer during

the current-to-voltage phase of the conversion from the digital converter to the analog section,

resulting in increased dynamics. These transformers were specially designed by Audio Note

(UK) engineering.

The Analog (6922) board features Audio Note (UK) non-magnetic tantalum resistors and Audio

Note (UK) Copper Foil Capacitors. An efficient and effective line stage complements the digital

and power supply sections of the DAC, sounds very undigital and has a lovely natural sound.

Our highly acclaimed and upgraded M2 Power Supply is an enhanced PCB version of the

original M2 Power Supply taken from Audio Note (UK)’s finished products line. It uses a Mains

transformer and Choke combination with a 6X5 for tube rectification and an ECL82 for

regulation of its HT supply It also provides two solid-state filament supplies. This latest

version uses vertical heatsinks, Mundorf MLytic capacitors, Rubycon electrolytics, and

Takman 1W resistors. We believe the M2 Power Supply provides an excellent quality / value

ratio —it has also proved itself in terms of both its reliability and sonic virtues many times

over in our other product lines. In addition, we have a dedicated digital power supply board to

ensure the sensitive digital circuits are fed with a smooth and quiet supply of power.

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1.2.2 Component Placement

Here’s a completed DAC 2.1 Signature

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