User Guide

dCS Verdi Encore User Manual Manual for Software Issue 1.0x
dCS Ltd August 2005
Manual filename: Verdi Encore Manual v1.0x.doc Page 32 email: [e-mail]
English version web-site: www.dcsltd.co.uk
GENERAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION
IEEE 1394 Overview
The IEEE 1394 interface is a high speed multi-channel system. It has the
capacity to carry over 50 channels of DSD (Direct Stream Digital) or over 30
channels of 24 bit / 192kS/s audio data through a single cable.
From October 2001 onwards, a pair of 6-way electrical IEEE 1394 interfaces
running at 200Mbit/s are available on the following dCS products:
• dCS Elgar Plus DAC, standard fit with software version 4.10 or later.
• dCS Delius DAC, optional fit with software version 2.10 or later.
• dCS Purcell Upsampler, optional fit with software version 2.11 or later.
• dCS Verdi SACD/CD Transport, standard fit.
• dCS Verdi La Scala Upsampling SACD/CD Transport, standard fit.
• dCS Verdi Encore Upsampling SACD/CD Transport, standard fit.
In the current implementation, Purcell can upsample standard digital formats
(such as CD at 44.1kS/s 16 bits) to DSD at 2.822MS/s and output a stereo pair
of DSD data onto its 1394 interface. Verdi can read DSD data from an SACD
and output a stereo pair of DSD data onto its 1394 interface. The data is
encrypted to conform to the conditions of the DSD licensing arrangements.
Either Elgar Plus or Delius will accept DSD data from the 1394 interface and
convert it to high quality analogue.
The hardware interface is very flexible and software configurable. We will add
other features and data formats at a later date, adopting industry standard
formats as they stabilise.
Synchronising IEEE 1394 interfaces
The IEEE 1394 system is great for carrying large amounts or digital audio data
– but is inherently very jittery. To ensure low-jitter conversion to analogue, each
unit linked by the 1394 system must be synchronised to the others by another
connection.
• A DAC in slave mode should be sync’ed to Verdi by connecting Verdi’s
WClk Out to the DAC’s WClk In.
• A DAC in master mode should sync Verdi by connecting the DAC’s WClk
Out to Verdi’s WClk In.
• An Upsampler should be slaved to Verdi, usually by the selected PCM input
(AES or RCA).
Automatic Input Selection
From October 2002 onwards, the software on the following products has been
enhanced to automatically select the interface carrying data from Verdi:
• dCS Elgar Plus DAC, standard fit with software version 4.20 or later.
• dCS Delius DAC, optional fit with software version 2.20 or later.
• dCS Verdi SACD/CD Transport, standard fit with software version 1.20 or
later.
• dCS Verdi La Scala Upsampling SACD/CD Transport, standard fit, with the
Easy Play menu set to Verdi.
The system relies on a 1394 link between Verdi and the DAC. The DAC will
automatically change inputs whenever Verdi changes layer or starts playing.