dCS Purcell Digital to Digital Converter User Manual Software Release 2.2x September 2004 © dCS Ltd. 1999 - 2004 Price UK £17.50 / Euro 25.00 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of dCS1.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual filename: Purcell Manual v2.2x.doc English version Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Page 2 email: more@dcsltd.co.uk web-site: www.dcsltd.co.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 PRODUCT OVERVIEW Developed from our highly successful and acclaimed dCS 972 professional DDC, the dCS Purcell is the first high precision Digital to Digital Converter (DDC) designed specifically for audiophile use.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 HENRY PURCELL (1659-1695) The dCS Purcell is named after the 17th century English composer, organist, bass and countertenor, Henry Purcell. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the baroque period and some even regard him as the most gifted English musician and composer of all time. During his short 35 years, he composed in every musical genre of the period.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Some of Purcell's music may be found on the following recordings. • Complete Anthems and Services Vol. 1 - Hyperion CDA66585 Choir Of New College, Oxford • Complete Anthems and Services Vol.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 CONTENTS Product Overview ..............................................................................................3 Henry Purcell (1659-1695).................................................................................4 Contents .............................................................................................................
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 The Hardware – Controls and Connectors ...................................................
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Positioning the Unit 63 Options .............................................................................................................64 IEEE 1394 Interface IR Remote Control Mains Supply Voltage Having Your Options Changed 64 64 64 64 Maintenance and Support...............................................................................
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 List of Figures Keywords and Phrases 81 82 About this Manual If you have not used a Purcell before, please read the section “Using your dCS Purcell for the first time” on page 62.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE This section guides you through setting up the unit for basic operation. You may find this useful if you have not used the Purcell for a while. Preliminaries The Control Summary sheet details the menu structure and outlines the use of the front panel controls. For more information, see the Function Menu section on page 20.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Step 1 – Selecting a Digital Input do this: Switch on the source equipment. If appropriate, load a disk / tape and set the machine in PLAY mode to ensure it is generating a digital audio data stream. Connecting to a Single AES or SPDIF source Most source equipment (such as CD transports, DVD players) is fitted with a single wire digital output, usually on an RCA phono connector.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Step 3 – Connecting the Digital Outputs Choose one of the following three sections: Connecting a Single AES or SPDIF Output do this: do this: If the Output Sample Rate is 88.2 or 96kS/s, check that your DAC is capable of double speed operation. If you have set Out Mode to Single, connect the required single wire output on the Purcell rear panel to the matching inputs on the DAC using suitable cables.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Connecting the Dual AES Outputs x do this: Check that your DAC is capable of Dual AES operation. do this: If you have set Out Mode to Dual AES, connect the AES 1 output on the Purcell rear panel to the AES 1 (or AES A) input on the DAC and the AES 2 output to the AES 2 (or AES B) input, using two XLR cables. Ensure the cables are not swapped. DIGITAL OUT WORD CLK IN L Hand Crafted by The Red Hot CD Player Co. R 16 bits 44.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Connecting the 1394 Interface x Units fitted with an IEEE 1394 interface can output DSD data, which can be decoded by a 1394–equipped dCS Elgar plus or Delius DAC. do this: Check that your DAC is capable of DSD operation over an IEEE 1394 link. Set the DAC to 1394 mode first. If you have set the output to DSD, connect ONE of the 1394 connectors on the Purcell rear panel to the DAC using the IEEE 1394 cable supplied.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Step 4 – Reducing the Output Wordlength If you are using Cloning or DSD output mode, or the output sample rate is set to 176.4 or 192 kS/s, the Output Wordlength cannot be changed so proceed to Other Settings. IMPORTANT! Purcell generates 24 bit data, regardless of the input word length. If your DAC cannot handle 24 bit data, the Output Wordlength MUST be set to match.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Using a 1394-Equipped Purcell with Verdi and Elgar Plus This setup allows you to play SACDs and CDs through the 1394 interface, 2 upsampling the CDs to DSD with the Purcell. The Elgar Plus is in Master Mode. dCS Verdi SACD Transport CAUTION: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN, DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Using a Standard Purcell with Verdi and Elgar Plus This setup allows you to play SACDs through the 1394 interface and upsample the CDs to 24 bit / 176.4kS/s Dual AES with the Purcell. The Elgar Plus is in Master Mode. dCS Verdi SACD Transport CAUTION: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN, DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Upsampling to Dual AES, DAC in Slave Mode You can upsample the digital output from any CD player, DAT recorder or DVD player to 24 bit / 192kS/s Dual AES. L DIGITAL OUT Hand Crafted by The Red Hot CD Player Co.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual filename: Purcell Manual v2.2x.doc English version Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Page 19 email: more@dcsltd.co.uk web-site: www.dcsltd.co.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 THE SOFTWARE – THE MENU Press "Function Step >" to move along the Menu, press "< Function Step" to move back. Press "Function Select" to set a menu option or change options.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Using the Function Menu The Function Menu gives the user access to a wide range of additional features. It also allows new features and performance enhancements to be added at a later date by software upgrades. Opening the Menu The Function Menu is controlled by three buttons: • • • the Function button opens the menu and doubles as the Select button.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Menu Sequence Use the flow chart (page 20) or the Control Summary sheet to guide you through the Menu more quickly. The following explanation deals with the Function Menu pages in the sequence 3 they occur in the Menu . The use of each page is shown on an individual basis, with the last operation being closing the Menu.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 1394 ID – 1394 Source Identification This page sets a number between 1 and 8 to identify each Purcell you have connected to the 1394 system. do this: do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows 1394ID:x, where x is a number between 0 and 8. Press the Select button repeatedly, allowing the unit to settle for a few seconds each time. The display cycles through 1394ID:0, 1394ID:1, .......
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 N.Shape – Noise Shaping The unit can be used to noise shape signals where the wordlength is being truncated (set to less than 24 bits). do this: do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows N.Shape. Press the Select button once. Assuming for this example that Noise Shaping is currently switched off, the display will change to Off. do this: do this: Press the Select button slowly five times.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 WClk - Wordclock This setting allows Purcell to be synchronised to a Wordclock connected to the Wordclock In socket while taking data from the selected digital input. This helps reduce jitter. The Wordclock may be generated either by a master clock or by the source equipment. IMPORTANT! do this: do this: do this: do this: The source equipment MUST also be synchronised to the Wordclock.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd do this: Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Set the required mode. Wait for the Menu to time-out and the display to revert to its normal mode. When the Output Mode is set to Dual AES, the data output from the RCA, BNC and 1394 digital outputs is not valid and should not be used. IMPORTANT! Cloning – Bit-for-Bit Mode When in Cloning Mode, Purcell passes through the input data bit-for-bit with no changes.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Bright x - Display Brightness This adjusts the brightness of the main display, with settings between 7 (brightest) and 0 (off, unless something is touched). do this: do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows Bright x, where x is a number between 7 and 0. Press the Select button repeatedly and the display cycles through Bright 7, Bright 6, ......., Bright 1, Bright 0 and back to Bright 7.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Ch.Check - Channel Check Test Use this feature to check if the stereo outputs on your system are swapped. It is disabled when in DSD/SACD mode. do this: do this: Set up your system to play music at a comfortable level. Open the Menu and step through until the display shows: Ch.Check do this: Press the Select button once to start the test.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 A second burst of noise appears on both channels with the right channel inverted for several seconds. Done This is displayed briefly at the end of the test. If both channels are in-phase the first burst of noise will produce a stable central image but the second burst will not. If one channel is out of phase, the second burst will produce a stable stereo image but the first will not.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Issue – Software Issue State This displays the issue number of the software fitted to your unit. You will need to check this if you are considering a software upgrade or if your unit malfunctions. do this: do this: do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows Issue. Press the Select button once to display the software issue.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 CDUpdate – Software Update By CD Current software for dCS Elgar Plus, Elgar, Delius or Purcell and all Verdi, La Scala or Verona software features a CD Update menu page. You can update the software inside any of these products loaded with CD Update software quickly and easily from a CD supplied by dCS. IMPORTANT! Please follow the latest update instructions supplied with the CD. The following is for guidance only.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 If there is anything wrong with the dCS CD that has been loaded or it does not match the product, the unit will display Wrong! or Wrong CD or No Index and revert to normal operation. Don’t worry – the internal software is unchanged. Check the CD for dust or scratches. If it is not a dCS CD at all, the unit will keep repeating Please Start CD, for about 30 seconds or display Wrong CD and then revert to normal operation.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Factory – Restoring Factory Defaults This feature sets most of the parameters back to the factory default settings. This can be useful if the settings are accidentally changed and you need to reset the unit to a standard configuration, or your children play with it. do this: do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows Factory. Press the Select button and leave the menu to time out.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 The Input button doubles as the Menu Step Back button, used for paging backwards through the Function Menu (see page 20). Output Button (Step) do this: Press the Output button to select the output sample rate. The available output sample rates are 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kS/s, plus DSD. IMPORTANT! Before changing the sample rate ALWAYS check that your system is muted.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Input / Mode Indicator Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 x This bank of indicators shows which digital input is selected. When the Out Mode menu page is set to Dual AES, the DUAL indicator lights up. When the WClk menu page is set to WClk:In and Purcell is slaved to its’ Wordclock Input, the WCLK indicator lights up. Function Button (Select) Press the Function button to open the Function Menu (see page 20) and change or Select settings in the menu.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Rear Panel I J L N DIGITAL INPUTS AES Q WORDCLOCK RCA ST A B BNC TOSLINK IN OUT R S U V DIGITAL OUTPUTS AES1 AES2 OPTION RCA W POWER SUC PUSH 1394 1 BNC Warning: Shock Hazard - Do not open. No user serviceable parts inside. Designed to comply with BS415, EN60065, IEC65.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 SPDIF Optical Input The optical input is used for optically transmitted digital signals with sample rates up to 48kS/s. In practice, the interfaces are tested up to 96kS/s but dCS cannot guarantee this with non-dCS source equipment. The data format is IEC60958, otherwise known as SPDIF. If fitted, use the Toslink input with Toslink fibre optic cables designed for digital audio use.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 IMPORTANT! SPDIF outputs are intended for use with Single AES, RCA, BNC or optical inputs ONLY. If the selected input is in any other format, the SPDIF output will carry either the left channel data or full scale noise. IMPORTANT! If the selected input is SPDIF and the Copy Prohibit flag in the source data is set, the SPDIF output will be the same and you will not be able to record the data.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Additional Information The rear panel displays the following information about the unit: • • • • The manufacturer’s name and address. Supply voltage setting, frequency range and rated power. Model: dCS Purcell The short form of the unit serial number. We will need the serial number (preferably the full serial number from the menu) to give you support over the phone, or to ship you software updates.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Remote Control The Remote Control unit is supplied with all new dCS Elgar Plus or Delius DACs. It is available as an optional extra with Purcell, but is most use with a dCS DAC.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Standby button (α) When you have finished listening, press the Purcell button and then press the Standby button while the blue LED is on. The digital outputs will mute, and all displays will turn off except the PWR and STBY indicators. In this mode, Purcell uses less power but stays warm. To restore normal operation, press the Standby button again and Purcell will power up ready for use.
dCS Purcell User Manual dCS Ltd Manual filename: Purcell Manual v2.2x.doc English version Manual for Software Issue 2.2x September 2004 Page 43 email: more@dcsltd.co.uk web-site: www.dcsltd.co.