DacMagic Upsampling digital to analog converter User’s manual 2 ENGLISH azur
Contents Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 3 Important safety instructions ............................................................................................................... 4 Rear panel connections ........................................................................................................................ 8 Front panel controls ...............................
azur DacMagic Thank you for purchasing this DacMagic Upsampling Digital to Analog Converter. We are confident that you will enjoy many years of listening pleasure from it. The DacMagic features ATFTM (Adaptive Time Filtering), an up-sampling process developed in conjunction with Anagram Technologies of Switzerland to intelligently interpolate incoming audio data (of between 16-24 bits, 32-96kHz) to 24bit/192kHz through the use of a 32bit Texas Instruments DSP (Digital Signal Processor).
Important safety instructions For your own safety please read the following important safety instructions carefully before attempting to connect this unit to the mains power supply. They will also enable you to get the best performance from and prolong the life of the unit: 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with a dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings.
azur DacMagic The unit must be installed in a manner that makes disconnection of the mains plug from the mains socket outlet (or appliance connector from the rear of the unit) possible. Where the mains plug is used as the disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable. Only use the power supply adaptor supplied with this unit. Please ensure there is ample ventilation (at least 5cm clearance all round).
FCC regulations NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RADIO OR TV INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE USER AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
DacMagic This unit must be installed on a sturdy, level surface. Do not place in a sealed area such as a bookcase or in a cabinet. Any space open at the back (such as a dedicated equipment rack) is fine, however. Do not place the unit on an unstable surface or shelf. The unit may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult as well as serious damage to the product. Do not place other equipment on top of the unit.
Rear panel connections DacMagic Upsampling DAC Designed in the UK, Made in China Caution www.cambridge-audio.
DacMagic TOSLINK optical – use a high quality TOSLINK fibre-optic interconnect cable designed specifically for audio use. To achieve the best results we always recommend using high quality Cambridge Audio leads, which are guaranteed for life. Note: These outputs are pass-through only; there is no upsampling or any other modification done to the LPCM input signal. 4 5 Digital Inputs 1 and 2 The DacMagic is fitted with two sets of digital inputs which enable the connection of source components.
Front panel controls On / Off Source Lin Filter / Phase Phase Incoming Sample Rate 32 1 Digital 1 Digital 2 DacMagic 44.1 48 88.2 96 Min 4 Steep 2 5 3 Upsampling DAC 1 Power On/Off Switches the unit between On and Off. 2 Source Press to select between USB playback or Digital Inputs 1 and 2. The corresponding LED will light up to show which source has been selected.
DacMagic 4 Phase Indicates the output phase selected. Press and hold the Filter/Phase select button for approximately two seconds to select normal or inverted phase output. When the LED lights up, the phase is inverted by the DacMagic. If you suspect that your source material or amplifier, etc., is inverting the phase of the musical signal, you can use this function to re-invert the audio and regain absolute positive phase.
Audio output connections Note: Do not turn on the unit until all connections have been made. DacMagic Balanced Output R L L Digital Outputs Digital Inputs Digital Inputs R Unbalanced Output USB In AC adaptor OR Amplifier Unbalanced Input L L R R Balanced Input Use either the unbalanced (RCA/Phono) or balanced (XLR) outputs of the DacMagic.
azur DacMagic Digital audio input connections ENGLISH Note: Do not turn on the unit until all connections have been made. DacMagic Balanced Output R L L Digital Outputs Digital Inputs Digital Inputs R Unbalanced Output USB In AC adaptor OR CD/DVD player Digital Outputs Connect your digital source to Digital Input 1. Either S/P DIF co-axial or TOSLINK optical types can be used, each being of equal quality. Important Note: Only connect one co-axial OR optical cable to each digital input.
PC-USB connections Note: Do not turn on the unit until all connections have been made.
DacMagic Connect a USB ‘B–A’ type lead (as illustrated at left) from the DacMagic’s USB input to one of the USB ports on the PC. This is the normal type of USB lead with an oblong plug at one end and a square plug at the other. Switch on the DacMagic using the front panel On/Off switch and make sure that the USB input is selected (USB LED lit). The Windows “Found New Hardware” dialogue bubble should now appear at the bottom right-hand side of the Windows desktop.
Digital audio output connections Note: Do not turn on the unit until all connections have been made. DacMagic Balanced Output R L L Digital Outputs Digital Inputs Digital Inputs R Unbalanced Output USB In AC adaptor OR Digital recorder Digital Inputs If it is desired to loop out the currently selected digital audio for recording on a suitable device (MD, CD-R, etc.
azur DacMagic The DacMagic can be sited in two different positions, as shown in the accompanying diagram. It can be placed horizontally by fitting the four small individual feet, or vertically by using the large rubber ‘foot’. Power on the DacMagic using the On/Off button on the front panel. After 4-5 seconds, the unit will unmute and the current Source and Filter type will be shown by the front panel LEDs. Using the Source button on the front panel, select the appropriate digital input, i.e.
Filters The DacMagic DSP has three different Filter functions: Linear Phase, Minimum Phase and Steep. All three filters are highly sophisticated audiophile topologies, optimised specifically for audio playback. In our opinion, these filters offer excellent sound quality but differ subtly in optimisation, hence we’ve made all three available to you.
DacMagic The Linear Phase filter is a highly regarded audio filter offering low ripple in both the pass and stop bands, and what is known as constant group delay. Constant group delay means that audio signals of all frequencies are always delayed by the same amount when passing through the filter. All audio is therefore fully time-coherent at the output. The trade-off with this type of filter is that due to internal feed-forward in the DSP, its impulse response will exhibit some pre-ringing.
Minimum Phase Filter Frequency response 20 0 -20 Magnitude (dB) -40 -60 -80 -100 -120 -140 -160 -180 -200 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 frequency/FS (input sampling rate) 20 0.8 0.
DacMagic The Minimum Phase filter is another highly regarded audio filter that offers even lower ripple in the pass and stop bands. Unlike the Linear Phase filter, group delay is not constant so some timecoherence is lost; however, phase shift is low and the particular benefit with this filter is that the impulse response exhibits no pre-ringing.
Steep Filter Frequency response 20 0 -20 Steep filter Magnitude (dB) -40 -60 Linear phase filter -80 -100 -120 -140 -160 -180 -200 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 frequency/FS (input sampling rate) 22 0.8 0.
DacMagic Our Steep filter is a linear phase filter that has been optimised for stop band attenuation of close-in aliasing images. Here we have traded a little attenuation of the very highest frequency response (-2dB at 20kHz) and a little more pre- and post-ringing for a very steep attenuation just outside the pass band. The Steep filter is able to attenuate aliasing at 22kHz by some 80dB.
The following table shows the filter stop band attenuation: Roll-off at 20kHz Linear Phase Minimum Phase -0.1dB -0.1dB Steep -2dB Roll-off at 22kHz -10dB -10dB -82dB Ultimate roll-off 140dB 140dB 140dB We encourage you to experiment with the filters to determine which sound best to your ears and using your source equipment/programme material.
azur DacMagic Technical specifications Dual Wolfson WM8740 24bit DACs Digital filter Texas Instruments TMS 320VC5501 DSP upsampling to 24bit 192kHz Analogue filter 2-Pole Dual Differential Bessel Double Virtual Earth Balanced Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz (±0.1dB)* THD @ 1kHz 0dBFs <0.001% 24bit THD @ 1kHz -10dBFs <0.001% THD @ 20kHz 0dBFs <0.
Troubleshooting There is no power Ensure the supplied AC adaptor is connected securely to the PSU socket on the rear panel. Ensure that the correct mains transformer is being used and that it complies with the local electrical supply. Ensure the mains plug is fully inserted into the wall socket and is switched on. There is no sound Ensure that the amplifier is set correctly. Check that the interconnects are inserted correctly.
azur DacMagic Cambridge Audio warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship (subject to the terms set forth below). Cambridge Audio will repair or replace (at Cambridge Audio's option) this product or any defective parts in this product. Warranty periods may vary from country to country. If in doubt consult your dealer and ensure that you retain proof of purchase.
Cambridge Audio is a brand of Audio Partnership Plc Registered Office: Gallery Court, Hankey Place London SE1 4BB, United Kingdom Registered in England No. 2953313 © 2008 Cambridge Audio Ltd AP23905/1-A www.cambridge-audio.
