VAD DAC-10 Manuel utilisateur
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Valve Audio Devices
DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD Digital to Analogue Converter
User Manual
Version 2.1
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Introduction
The Valve Audio Devices DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD valve DAC is an exquisitely engineered, hand-
uilt, point-to-
point wired unit employing specifically selected components.
It is designed for the audio purist and refined over countless hours to produce exceptional high
definition sound with unparalleled musicality.
Every component is selected with sound quality as the highest priority and its specially
designed dual mono valve analogue stage, ultra-short “signal path” and advanced dual mono
digital to analogue conversion stage provides the optimum environment for digital audio
play ack from a variety of signal sources.
When matched with similarly high quality components, the DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD achieves a
standard of micro-dynamics, resolution and speed to satisfy the most discerning of audiophiles.
Closing the gap to the original sound and delivering unparalleled musicality, with all of the
original nuances, has now ecome closer than ever.
The DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD stands comparison with the world’s finest reference DACs –
regardless of price - and comes with a 7-year Manufacturer Warranty. It has een designed and
uilt with relia ility in mind and will last a lifetime with appropriate care.
Data Formats
The DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD is capa le of automatic recognition of sampling rates from 32 to
192kHz and it rates of 16-24 it from SPDIF/AES3 digital audio compati le sources through:
•COAXIAL, TOSlink, BNC and AES/EBU (AES/EBU DAC-10 only)
•USB Audio 2.0 input dedicated for PCM audio files up to 32 it/192kHz
•USB Audio 2.0 input dedicated for DSD64 datastream (DAC-10 DSD only).
In t e DAC-10 DSD, t e second USB input replaces t e AES/EBU SPDIF input of t e DAC-10.
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Tec nical information
DSD64 playback (DAC-10 DSD):
In our dedicated DSD (Direct Stream Digital) module, the USB interfaced DSD Left and Right
channel itstream data is passed through 1 it driver gates and applied to a high precision,
dou le differential FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter and then a passive analogue filter. This
removes any DSD noise shaping high frequency carrier present in the signal and pink noise
a ove 30kHz. Retrieved pure audio is then amplified y vacuum tu e triodes. Use of this
technique provides the purest possi le representation of the DSD stream as music.
Our DSD play ack module is free of digital processing and completely separate from the PCM
circuitry.
SPDIF playback:
SPDIF i-phase signal is interfaced to a high frequency, high input impedance triode valve
configured in alanced digital mode and precisely matched to our selected SPDIF receiver in
alanced digital mode. This method gives the enefit of the DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD eing highly
immune to the sometimes-poor electrical signal quality from SPDIF transports and/or digital
coax interconnects, which can influence the sound.
A etter transport will improve the overall sound. However, the DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD will
sound exceptionally superior with even the most asic SPDIF signal sources and digital
interconnects.
PCM USB Audio playback:
High-end asynchronous USB audio is I2S interfaced to the PCM decoding stage with two mono
converters (L&R). The stage is free of any post filtering and coupled I/V to two mono vacuum
tu e triode analogue output stages.
Power supply:
Power supplies are independent for digital and analogue and Left and Right channels. All
power supplies are inductor (choke) loaded, series resistor-less and espoke designed.
Vacuum tube analogue output stage:
The DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD vacuum tu e triode analogue output stage is point to point
engineered to operate as:
1. PCM stage differential audio signal coupling (transformer-less).
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2. DSD stage audio signal coupling.
3. Gain regulation - part of this function implemented in DC mode.
4. Signal dependent varia le tu e iasing.
5. Voltage amplification.
6. SE and alanced out signal stage.
The whole tu e circuit is operating in pure Class A.
Casing:
The unique VAD casing is designed as a monocoque structure with the fulfilled aim for
extremely high mechanical rigidity, EMI and RFI screening and vi ration damping.
It is polymer coated and additionally polyurethane `silenced`.
The only structural parts fitted with screws are the aluminium top cover and valve cover.
Electrically the casing is directly fully grounded via the safety earth pin in fused IEC socket.
Direct grounding provides the highest electrical safety and also means that the EMI/RFI screen
really is a `screen`, not just a piece of metal in the way of interferences.
Used components:
During long R&D process, all compone
nts were selected for the overall sound enefit of
the whole design without compromises.
The separate components count of the DAC-10 DSD is 600 and include: selected paper in oil
and silver mica capacitors, 0.1% tolerance foil resistors, selection of Sanyo OsCon and other
polymer caps, Ru ycon ZLJ, ZLH, ZL, Panasonics FC, FM, FR, car on resistors and metal
resistors, silver wire and tinned copper wire, fast RF relays and old fashion solder tags, chosen
top quality linear voltage regulators, Schottky rectifiers, FR diodes and valve rectifiers,
inductors, ceramic valve ases, newest digital IC`s and NOS (New Old Stock) valves, non-
magnetic screws, copper rails, Teflon, silicone, selection of C0G,NPO,X7R,MKP,MKS capacitors
and other parts including many VAD secrets. All components are new and current production
(apart from NOS vacuum tu es), sourced mostly from UK suppliers.
All designed and chosen y us for you to enjoy t e music
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CONTENTS
Introduction 2
Technical info 3-4
Unpacking 5
Connection 6-7-8-9
Before Switching ON 10-11-12
Safety and other information 13-14
Specifications 15-16
Warranty Information 17-18
Warranty registration form 19
Unpacking
In the flight case you will find the following:
•1 x VAD DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD valve DAC
•1 x RF remote control
•1 x Power cord
•1 x Hex key (for removing the valve cover)
•User manual
Remove all contents. Keep the flight case in case of need to ship the DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD.
Place the DAC on a sturdy surface (e.g. hi-fi rack or isolation platform) and plug in the power.
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Connection
VAD DAC-10 inputs: VAD DAC-10 DSD inputs
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Digital inputs
DAC-10 digital audio connectivity:
•AES/EBU alanced digital audio input
•BNC SPDIF digital audio input
•COAXIAL SPDIF digital audio input
•TOSlink optical SPDIF digital audio input
•USB 2.0 audio PCM input (up to 24 it/192kHz)
DAC-10 DSD digital audio connectivity:
•BNC SPDIF digital audio input
•COAXIAL SPDIF digital audio input
•TOSlink optical SPDIF digital audio input
•USB 2.0 audio PCM input (up to 24 it/192kHz)
•USB 2.0 audio DSD input for DSD64 stream
AES/EBU: Use a screened, twisted pair ca le from the digital output of your CD transport or CD
player to the AES/EBU digital input of the DAC-10 (AES/EBU socket is a receptacle type)
Coaxial: Use a RCA plug terminated, coaxial interconnect of your choice for the COAXIAL digital
input. The ca le for the COAXIAL input should e no longer than 1.5m (5 feet) for the est
result
USB: Use USB 2.0 ca le fitted with USB type B plug terminated for the DAC side. For est
results use a good quality USB 2.0 ca le without any sleeve inductors.
NB - DAC-10 USB interfaces are powered from our on- oard, purpose designed, extremely low
noise linear power supply (not from your USB socket – which is used for data transfer only).
TOSlink: Use prefera ly multi-strand glass fi re type optical audio ca le.
NB - 24 it/192kHz sample rate play ack through TOSlink cannot e guaranteed.
BNC: Use same type of preferred coaxial ca le as used for the RCA Coaxial input, terminated
with the BNC plug.
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Audio outputs:
Balanced: Use screened, twisted pair ca les fitted with 3pin XLR plugs (receptacle type plug for
the DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD end).
When using the alanced connection, pin 1 is “ground”, pin 2 is “hot” and pin 3 “cold”. Make
sure this complies with your other audio equipment and consult with your dealer for any
necessary modifications.
RCA: analogue interconnects for single ended outputs.
RCA ca les should ideally e no longer than 1.5m / 5 feet etween the audio outputs of the
DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD and the line level input of your preamplifier or integrated amplifier.
NB - We advise that alanced and un alanced audio outputs are not eing connected/used
simultaneously (possi ility of ground loop on some systems).
Input selector switc es
The VAD DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD has two, three position toggle switches (1, 2) on the ack panel:
•Switc 1 (SW1) will let you choose etween the AES/COAX, BNC and Toslink inputs.
•Switc 2 (SW2) will let you to exclude the SPDIF and choose the USB Audio options.
In the `middle` position of SW2, SPDIF sources are connected (further selecta le via SW1)
In the `down` position of SW2, the SPDIF inputs are OFF and the internal I
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S interface
asynchronous USB Audio input is connected for PCM music file sources (example: wav. flac.
aiff.).
AES/COAX SW1 switch position will automatically choose an active signal source etween the
AES/EBU and COAXIAL inputs.
DAC-10 SW2 `up` position is inactive
DAC-10 DSD only
The AES/EBU SPDIF input is replaced y a USB DSD input.
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In the `up` position of SW2, the PCM USB is OFF and the dedicated DSD USB interface is ON for
DSD64 play ack (example: dsf. dff. iso.).
SW2 also activates a separate analogue `path` for DSD play ack.
PCM and DSD
If you have oth formats (PCM, DSD) of music files on your computer connect oth USB inputs
to your computer using quality USB 2.0 ca les.
To play DSD files:
- switch the DAC-10 SW2 switch to DSD position `up`
- choose the DoP itstreaming output format in the options of your computer software
player
To play PCM music files:
- stop the DSD play ack
- switch the DAC-10 SW2 switch to PCM position `down`
- choose the PCM compati le output format in options of your computer software player.
Initial position of SW2 (`up` DSD, `middle` SPDIF, down `PCM`) is not important, your computer
will recognise only one USB input when you determine y SW2 which format you are going to
play.
Please note: your software won’t play native DSD into the USB PCM input or PCM into USB
DSD input.
- If you listen to PCM only: there is no need to connect the second USB ca le to DSD USB input
- If you listen to DSD only: there is no need to connect the second USB ca le to PCM USB input.
- We recommend that the DAC gain control is turned down efore selecting the DSD USB Audio
format - once the output of your software player is set to DSD, the gain can e increased as
needed.
DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD USB Audio file formats:
PCM music files: Any music file type supported y your computer audio software on Windows
OS and Apple OS platforms - up to 32 it/192kHz
DSD music file types: Windows OS: DSF, DFF/DSDIFF (Developed and tested with JRiver MP18 -
DoP 1.0)
Apple OS: DSF, DSDIFF, SACD ISO images (Developed and tested with Audirvana Plus).
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Before switc ing on
Front Panel
Switc ing on / off
Powering ON: “Flip” the mains power switch on the rear panel of the DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD
followed y pushing the “Power” utton on the front panel.
Powering OFF: Press the “Power” utton on the front panel of the DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD.
When in use at home, there is no need to switch OFF the main switch on the rear panel – use
the ack panel switch to completely power off the unit when leaving the house for longer
periods.
IMPORTANT:
Power ON the DAC-10 / DAC-10 DSD approx. 2 min. BEFORE switching ON your other audio
components such as amplifiers etc.
Make sure that the Volume control of your amplifier or pre-amplifier is close to minimum
position (volume turned down).
Switch your other audio components such as amplifiers OFF efore turning OFF the DAC-10 /
DAC-10 DSD.
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