Boulder 1012 DAC Preamplifier Owners Manual 10/27/03 Boulder Amplifiers, Inc. 3235 Prairie Ave. Boulder, CO 80301 www.boulderamp.
Boulder 1012 DAC Preamplifier Rear Panel
TABLE OF CONTENTS GETTING STARTED Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Placement of the 1012 DAC Preamplifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Connecting to the Mains Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REMOTE CONTROL Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Source Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volume, Balance and Mute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Polarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RECORDING Connecting a Recording Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
G ETTING STARTED INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your selection of the Boulder 1012 DAC Preamplifier. We at Boulder Amplifiers are certain it will provide years of listening pleasure. QUICK START To get started listening, you only need to connect the 1012 as you would any other preamplifier, but you should take note of the following. WARNING: The polished volume control is attractive and because it is optical and has no stops, it is really tempting to just spin it around.
PLACEMENT OF THE 1012 DAC PREAMPLIFIER Your Boulder 1012 DAC Preamplifier is designed to reduce the effects that external magnetic and radio fields (RF) have on its internal circuitry. While placement is not critical, known magnetic fields should be avoided. Line of sight from the listening position is necessary for the remote control to function properly. Because the preamplifier is heavy, a solid, stable surface should be used. As it will generate some heat, there should be good air circulation around it.
CONNECTING TO THE MAINS OUTLET Your 1012 DAC Preamplifier is supplied with a mains cord suitable to the location where it was purchased. A label showing the exact voltage and frequency range is located on the rear panel. Make certain that the mains voltage used is with in the specifications shown. Also listed are the fuse ratings. There are two fuse holders on the rear of the 1012 which are for each of the digital and analog power transformers. Use only specified fuses.
CONNECTING A DIGITAL SOURCE There are four digital inputs to the DSP and D/A Converter section of the 1012. Three inputs are the AES/EBU style. Because of the balanced nature of these connections, it is the preferred method of connection and should be used whenever available. With the 1012, one DABL digital adapter is supplied and may be plugged into any one of these inputs thus converting it to RCA phono style SPDIF. Additional adapters are available if more than one input needs conversion.
POLARITY Please note that the 1012 DAC Preamplifier conforms to the standard of pin 2 as the high or hot pin for all analog balanced inputs and outputs. Because input and output polarities are handled through programming setups and the remote control, no concern for polarity is needed while connecting sources. Digital connectors have no polarity. CONNECTING A BALANCED ANALOG SOURCE To fully realize the sonic potential of your 1012 DAC Preamplifier, use balanced connections whenever possible.
CONNECTING AN UNBALANCED ANALOG SOURCE Although the inputs are all of the 3 pin type, an unbalanced source is easily accommodated by using a special cable. This cable has an RCA phono type connector on the source end and a 3 pin connector for going to an input on the 1012 DAC Preamplifier. The minus input (pin 3) should be wired to ground only at the RCA phono connector. This brings the minus input reference of the 1012 to the unbalanced source ground, thus reducing ground loops.
CONNECTING A TURNTABLE Balanced inputs are provided for connecting a turntable to the 1012. To avoid hum pickup in the cabling, it is important to follow these instructions. Do not connect pin 1 (chassis/ground) to either pin 2 or 3 at any point in the cable, turntable chassis, or tonearm. Pins 2 and 3 must only connect directly to the cartridge pins. This can be accomplished by several wiring schemes shown on the next page. Do not use the Boulder ABL input adapter or other RCA Phono to XLR adapter.
PHONO CABLES CARTRIDGE 1012 PHONO INPUT 2-POS INPUT 3-POS INPUT 1-POS INPUT TURNTABLE CHASSIS CHASSIS CARTRIDGE 1012 PHONO INPUT 2-POS INPUT 3-POS INPUT N.C.
CONNECTING TO A BALANCED INPUT AMPLIFIER With your 1012 DAC Preamplifier’s balanced output driving a balanced input power amplifier, you can take sonic advantage of short speaker cables and correspondingly longer input cables. With the 1012’s low output impedance, distances of more than 50 meters between preamplifier and power amplifier are practical. Connect each amplifier input to the main outputs labeled “MAIN OUT.
CONNECTING TO AN UNBALANCED INPUT AMPLIFIER A special cable is required to make this connection. This cable connects pin 1 to the shield and pin 2 to the center pin. It leaves the output pin 3 unconnected. Connecting the unused output pin (usually pin 3) to ground will cause excessive ground currents and degrade performance. Use an ohmmeter or continuity checker to determine how a cable is wired.
SETTING THE BOULDERLINK SWITCH Set the Boulderlink MASTER / SLAVE switch to MASTER. For more information on Boulderlink, see the Boulderlink section as indicated by the finger tabs below.
O PERATION POWERING UP With all your connections made, you are ready to listen to your Boulder 1012 DAC Preamplifier. The power LED will cycle through a variety of colors indicating a standby mode. Power is applied only to the microprocessor during this mode. Press the POWER button to turn on the 1012. The indicator will change to amber and power will be applied to the analog audio section.
INPUT SELECTIONS To select an analog input, press one of the ANALOG pushbuttons labeled ONE, TWO, THREE or PHONO. The respective input will be shown in the display and that signal will be routed to both the main and record outputs. For example, if input ONE is chosen, “A1. ANALOG INPUT 1” will show in the display. NOTE: There will be a 1 second delay when switching from one source to another. This is necessary to allow the circuitry to adjust to the new input source.
To select a digital input, press one of the DIGITAL pushbuttons labeled ONE through FOUR. For a few seconds, the input sample rate of the source and the Upandoversampling™ rate out of the DSP will be shown. For example, a regular CD will show “INPUT RATE 44.1kHz, OUTPUT RATE 705.6kHz.” The “INPUT RATE” is the rate at which the 1012 receives data from the source. The “OUTPUT RATE” is the rate at which the 1012’s Digital Signal Processor (DSP) sends data to the converters.
VOLUME Because the precise feel of the Boulder 1012’s volume control may be different than you are used to, we recommend starting the source device so that an audio signal is fed to the 1012 before increasing the volume. The display will show “VOLUME INFINITE” to indicate maximum attenuation or no sound. By placing a finger at the edge of the rotating control and moving it slowly so it turns in a clockwise direction, the volume will increase and an indication such as “VOLUME - 40.
BALANCE To change the level balance, press the BALANCE pushbutton. “BALANCE CENTERED” will show in the display. Now, rotating the control will change the balance instead of the volume for as long as “BALANCE...” is displayed. Turning the control counterclockwise (left) will cause an indication such as “BALANCE R -2.0dB < “ in the display. This means that the right channel has been attenuated -2.0 dB below the left channel, regardless of volume setting, making the left channel louder.
MUTE To temporarily reduce the volume, press the MUTE pushbutton. “VOLUME MUTED” will show in the display, replacing the volume indication. Again pressing the MUTE pushbutton will return the volume to normal level. While muted, the level of both channels will be reduced by -100 dB, regardless of volume setting.
DISPLAY The display brightness may be set to any of 4 brightness levels. To change the brightness level, press the DISPLAY pushbutton. “DISPLAY 100%” will show in the display. Rotate the control until the desired brightness is obtained such as “DISPLAY 50%.” The number in the display is the relative brightness. After several seconds of not changing the brightness level, the display will return to the “VOLUME...” indication. You may also return to controlling volume by again pressing the DISPLAY pushbutton.
R EMOTE CONTROL BATTERIES A standard small flat blade screwdriver is required to install the three AAA batteries. To install batteries in the remote control, it is necessary to separate the two sections. WARNING: When opened, the pushbutton balls will be loose and care must be taken to properly retain them. It is recommended to lay the remote control face down on a flat surface so that the balls will stay in position. Then, remove the three screws.
SOURCE SELECTION To select an input (source) press one of the eight buttons on the left side of the remote control in the ANALOG and DIGITAL groups. You will now be listening to your desired source, and it will be showing in the display. VOLUME, BALANCE and MUTE To increase the volume, press the button marked with an up arrow. To reduce, press the one marked with a down arrow. Holding either button down will cause the volume to change continuously until released.
POLARITY NOTE: Often polarity is mistakenly called phase. As phase indicates any angle between two channels from 0 to 360 degrees, the correct term of polarity is preferred to indicate the 180º phase change, or inversion, available in the 1012 DAC Preamplifier. By using the remote control, the polarity of both channels may be changed simultaneously at the main outputs during any listening mode. The record outputs are never affected by the polarity setting.
P ROGRAMMING While it is not necessary to ever use any programming functions, you will find they maximize the enjoyment of your Boulder 1012 DAC Preamplifier. Each input has several programmable features associated with it. These include assigning an alphanumeric name of your choosing, setting an individual offset attenuation and balance, correcting polarity, and setting theater mode.
If you chose to assign a name, then “A1 ANALOG INPUT 1” will be shown in the bottom display row with a blinking cursor before the name’s first character. Rotate the control until the desired character appears. Press the same input source number to accept the displayed character and go to the next character. Continue in this manner until all 17 characters are set. For example, “Boulder” can be set. NOTE: The space character is just before the exclamation mark (!).
THEATER MODE When the 1012 preamplifier is used in a surround sound theater system, it is normally desired to bypass the volume control, thus letting the surround processor control the volume. WARNING: Setting an input to THEATER MODE forces the volume to unity gain. Use only in conjunction with a surround processor. Again pressing the same input source number will make “NORMAL MODE” show in the bottom display row. Rotating the volume control will show “THEATER MODE-Caution.
INPUT LEVEL CALIBRATION Pressing the same input source number will make “INPUT LEVEL 0.0dB” show in the bottom display row. Rotating the volume control will change the display and the main outputs’ levels simultaneously. This allows calibration of each input with test tones if desired. For example, setting the display to “-6.0dB” will allow an input which is twice the voltage of the other inputs to be heard at the same level. A maximum of -24 dB may be set.
INPUT BALANCE CALIBRATION Pressing the same input source number will make “INPUT BAL CENTERED” show in the bottom display row. Rotating the volume control will simultaneously change the display and the main output’s balance so that the action can be monitored or measured. For example, setting the display to “R -9.0dB” will make the left channel louder than the right channel. A maximum of -12 dB may be set.
PROGRAMMING BY THE DISPLAY BUTTON Several special features are programmed by pressing and holding the DISPLAY pushbutton until the display changes indicating you are in a programming mode. If no action is taken for some time, then the 1012 reverts back to normal operation. The sequence is as follows. MAIN OUTPUTS POLARITY The polarity of the main outputs may be adjusted to match the power amplifiers used. For Boulder series 1000 or 2000 amplifiers, it should be set to “PIN 2 POSITIVE.
BOULDERLINK ID Again pressing the DISPLAY pushbutton will make “PROGRAM BOULDER LINK, BOULDER LINK ID 20” show in the display. Rotating the volume control changes the ID number. For more information consult the Boulderlink section. Unless you are using two or more 1012 DAC Preamplifiers together, this setting should be left at “20.” REMOTE ID Again pressing the DISPLAY pushbutton will make “PROGRAM REMOTE ID, REMOTE CONTROL ID 3” show in the display. Rotating the volume control changes the ID number.
RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULTS Should you wish to have all settings reset to original factory defaults, you may execute a master reset. Normally, this function is not used. Press and hold the POWER pushbutton. “RESET ALL PARAMETERS, DIG 1=YES DIG 2=NO” will show in the display. To leave all settings as they currently are, press the DIGITAL TWO pushbutton. To reset all settings, press the DIGITAL ONE pushbutton. WARNING: All settings which you have programmed in will be lost, including the names of each input.
B OULDERLINK BOULDERLINK "DAISY CHAIN" BOULDER PREAMPLIFIER BOULDER POWER AMPLIFIER BOULDER POWER AMPLIFIER MASTER SLAVE SLAVE TO ALL OTHER SLAVE UNITS Boulderlink is a means of interconnecting most Boulder products so that their microprocessors can talk to each other and pass important information. Among the key features, Boulderlink allows sequential initiation of power amplifiers’ and other products’ power up when the 1012 DAC Preamplifier is turned on.
SETTING BOULDERLINK SWITCHES Every Boulderlink system must have one “MASTER” component, and only one component can be set to MASTER. Usually this is the preamplifier. Power amplifiers and other products not having a MASTER/SLAVE switch are not eligible to be “MASTER.” On the 1012, set the Boulderlink toggle switch to MASTER. SETTING BOULDERLINK ID NUMBERS Each component is required to have a unique Boulderlink ID number.
POWER UP VIA BOULDERLINK With each component connected together with a Boulderlink cable, and individually connected to the mains, pressing the 1012’s POWER pushbutton will initiate the turn on sequence of all components. The first time a “MASTER” 1012 is powered up, it will search for any “slave” units connected to it. As the Master finds each slave, the slave’s ID number will be shown on the display.
BOULDERLINK MESSAGES Each component in the system can send a message to the 1012 which is then shown on its display. This is particularly helpful in confirming the operating status of each power amplifier in a multiple amplifier system. “AMPLIFIER 1 ERROR” means that an internal power supply has failed and the amplifier has turned itself off to protect the speakers from damage. “AMPLIFIER 1 HAS DC” means that it has turned itself off due to a DC offset voltage being detected at its inputs.
“UNIT 1 IS OFFLINE” means that the slave is no longer responding via Boulderlink. Its Boulderlink cable may have become disconnected, or the mains power has been disconnected. “UNIT 1 IS ONLINE” means that the slave is now responding via Boulderlink in a normal manner and has been recognized by the master.
R ECORDING A separated analog output is provided for making recordings or supplying a fixed level output to other system components. CONNECTING A RECORDING DEVICE A recording device may be connected to the 1012 DAC Preamplifier. You may use balanced or unbalanced connections as previously described in the sections on connecting power amplifiers. See pages 1-8 and 1-9.
1012 AUDIO BLOCK DIAGRAM 1 DIGITAL INPUTS 2 3 4 1 ANALOG INPUTS 2 3 PHONO 7-1 APPENDIX DIGITAL AUDIO RECEIVER MODULE BOULDER CUSTOM DSP DIGITAL LOW PASS 100K OHM BALANCED INPUT BUFFER 30 DB GAIN LOW NOISE RIAA CURVE PHONO STAGE 10/30 DB SWITCHABLE GAIN BUFFER D/A CONVERTER 6 POLE BESSEL ANALOG LOW PASS 200 STEP ATTENUATOR BALANCED OUTPUT BUFFER MAIN OUTPUT BALANCED OUTPUT BUFFER RECORD OUTPUT
BOULDER 1012 DAC PREAMPLIFIER SPECIFICATIONS DIGITAL INPUTS Digital Inputs 3 AES/EBU, Adapts to SPDIF (1 DABL Adapter included), 1 Toslink Sampling Rates 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz, (AES/EBU) Maximum DSP Sample Rate for Future I/F 192 kHz Digital Signal Processor Speed 1 GFLOPS, 167 MHz Clock Decoding System 64 Bit Math, 24 Bit Output Upandoversampling™ 32, 44.1, 48, kHz: 16X, 88.
BOULDER 1012 DAC PREAMPLIFIER SPECIFICATIONS (CTD) Maximum Input Level 6.0 Vrms Maximum Output Level 14.0 Vrms THD+N, 2V Output, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz 0.0015% (-96.5 dB) Output loaded with 150Ω Less than 1 dB distortion change, 20 - 10 kHz Maximum Voltage Gain, Line input 20 dB Maximum Voltage Gain, Phono (MM) 60 dB Maximum Voltage Gain, Phono (MC) 80 dB Volume Range 100 dB Volume Steps 0.5 dB +0.05 dB Record Path Gain, Balanced Output 8.5 dB Record Path Gain, Unbalanced Output 2.
TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM CAUSE REMEDY No power indication Preamplifier is not plugged in Connect to an AC outlet Analog source selected, Amber power indication but sound not heard from either channel No signal from source Check source controls, cables and connections No signal to power amplifier Check amplifier power status, cables and connections Preamp is defective Return to dealer for service No signal from one channel of source Check source controls, cables and connections One Channel is m
NOTES 7-5 APPENDIX
