2-Channel 24 bit/192kHz D/A Converter (with optional USB) User’s Guide v1.
2-Channel 24 bit/192kHz D/A Converter (with optional USB) User’s Guide v1.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Warnings FCC warning This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Registration and Warranty Information Be sure to register your Mini-DAC, either by filling in the enclosed Registration Card or by completing the on-line registration form at our Web site: http://www.apogeedigital.com/register.html. If you do so, Apogee can contact you with any update information. As enhancements and upgrades are developed, you will be contacted at the registration address. Firmware updates are free for the first year of ownership unless otherwise stated.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Declarations of Conformity Declaration of Conformity—FCC Apogee Mini-DAC This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide OWNER’S RECORD The serial number is located on the rear panel of the unit. We suggest you record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to it whenever you call an authorized Apogee Electronics repair facility or the manufacturer. Please be sure to return your completed warranty card immediately! Mini-DAC Serial No.
User’s Guide Table of Contents Introduction .....................................................................................................2 INCLUDED ACCESSORIES ....................................................................2 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES .....................................................................2 Getting Started Quickly ................................................................................3 CONNECTING POWER ...........................................................
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Introduction Apogee Electronics’ Mini-DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter offers reference-quality audio performance, comprehensive monitoring features and unique USB functionality in a convenient, portable package. • The Mini-DAC accepts AES, S/PDIF, Optical and USB digital inputs in a wide range of formats, at sample rates up to 192kHz. • Apogee’s Dual-stage clock ensures almost total immunity to jitter at the input stage.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Getting Started Quickly 4 1 5 3 CONNECTING POWER The MiniDAC operates from a high quality external switching power supply, included with the unit. Connect the power supply to the “POWER” connection on the back of the MinDAC and to a convenient AC Outlet. As the power supply’s AC input voltage is automatically sensed, it may be connected to virtually any AC power outlet found worldwide without concern for voltage settings or fuse ratings.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Navigating the Front Panel 1 The clock circuitry of a typical D-to-A converter must be designed as a compromise between the ability to attenuate input signal jitter and the ability to accept any bitstream, regardless of it’s stability. The more the clock is allowed to track timing variations of the input, the more jitter remains in the clock at the conversion stage, with the degradation of conversion quality as a result.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Navigating the Front Panel - continued 6 3 4 5 While the POWER switch options may appear overly complicated, a commonly encountered example will demonstrate their utility. 7 3) SIGNAL indicators – The brightness of these LEDs displays the left (L) and right (R) signal level of the selected INPUT SOURCE. The LEDs begin to illuminate at a level of –30 dBFs and are at their brightest at 0 dBFs. 4) LOCK – These LEDs indicate the Lock status of Mini-DAC’s dual stage clock.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Connections on the Rear Panel 2 1 6 3 5 4 6 7 1) POWER input – The DC input accepts a range of voltages between 6 and 14 volts DC. The power supply employed must be capable of delivering 1.25 amps of current within the specified range. 2) S/PDIF input – This RCA (Cinch) connector accepts S/PDIF Coaxial Input. 3) OPTICAL input – This Toslink connector accepts Optical input in the format selected by the front panel INPUT SELECT knob.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Working with USB USB Format Conversion When bi-directional interfaces such as USB are included on digital-to-analog converters, the input side of the interface is employed to accept a digital signal while the output side usually remains unused. Thanks to the unique implementation of Apogee’s USB interface, the Mini-DAC offers two USB Format Conversion configurations which employ the output side of the USB interface, thus greatly expanding the unit’s capabilities.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Working with USB - continued The second configuration which utilizes USB Format Conversion is active when any other input is selected – a digital signal is accepted from the selected input, converted to analog and transmitted to the enabled analog outputs AS WELL AS the USB output. The Mini-DAC’s sample rate is determined by the incoming signal and the INPUT SELECT knob, while the USB output is sample-rate converted to the rate determined by the Host USB device.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Working with USB - continued Interfacing the Mini-DAC via USB As described above, a Mini-DAC equipped with a USB Option Card offers digital input and output with recent Macintosh and Windows operating systems. While the Mini-DAC can often operate correctly with native OS drivers, in most cases the best performance is obtained with dedicated hardware drivers, available for the Mini-DAC at www.apogeedigital.com/usb.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Working with USB - continued OS 9.1 and later – ASIO (continued) 3) Configure the ASIO compatible application for use with the Apogee Mini-DAC ASIO Driver. For example, in Emagic Logic follow these steps: a. Go to the Preferences>Audio Driver page, expand the ASIO properties and select the Apogee MiniDAC ASIO Driver. Open the Mini-DAC Control Panel to configure sample rate and bit depth. Mini-DAC Control Panel ASIO Driver Preferences OS 10.1 and later (10.2.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Working with USB - continued Windows – General Regardless of the OS version, it is highly recommended to install the Apogee MiniDAC USB. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Please consult the following application notes specific to each Windows version for important warnings and other information. Download the driver and decompress the files using the WinZip utility. The resultant folder will be labeled “apogee_usb_win” and will contain several files, including a setup.exe file.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide About Digital Audio Formats Connector used Valid Sample Rates Channels per connector Digital Data Rate AES Single Wire or Double Fast or Single Wide XLR 44.1-192kHz 2 Fs x 1 AES Double Wire or Double Wide XLR 88.2-192 kHz 1 Fs /2 S/PDIF Coaxial RCA (coaxial) 44.1-192kHz 2 Fs x 1 S/PDIF Optical Toslink (optical) 44.1-96kHz 2 Fs x 1 ADAT Toslink (optical) 44.1-48kHz 8 Fs x 1 S/MUX 2 Toslink (optical) 88.2-96kHz 4 Fs /2 S/MUX 4 Toslink (optical) 176.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Internal Adjustments Jumpers P4 & P9 – These jumpers are used to configure the XLR ANALOG OUTPUTS. • When jumpers are installed between the two pins labeled VAR, the output level is controlled by the Front Panel LEVEL knob and trimpots R 45 and R 71 (factory default). • When jumpers are installed between the two pins labeled TRIM, the output level is controlled by trimpots R 45 and R 71 only.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide INSTALLING THE USB OPTION CARD 1. Remove the two TOP screws from the Mini-DAC front panel, using a 1/16” hex wrench. 2. Remove the two TOP rear panel screws, and LOOSEN ONLY the bottom two rear panel screws and the eight connector mounting screws. 4. Insert the USB Connecter (on the USB Option Card) into the square cutout of the Mini-DAC rear panel, ensure that connector pins under the card are properly aligned (indicated at right), and gently press the Option Card into place.
Mini-DAC – User’s Guide Features & Specifications • Inputs include AES (single & double wide), Optical (ADAT, S/MUX & S/PDIF) coax, & USB • Analog Output level control for direct connection of powered monitors • Low-current, low-voltage -ideal for location/ENG • Digital thru mode adds USB functionality to any digital device including Apogeeʼs Mini-Me, Trak2 and Rosetta Inputs: • 2 x AES-EBU on 9 pin D-Type (breakout cable to two female XLR-3 required) handling sample rates: 44.1k-192k single-wide and 88.
Mini-DAC USER’S GUIDE - v.1.
