power LED source button input button status indicators power button source coaxial optical input 1 2 3 aes 32kHz 44kHz 48kHz mute lock demp contents 0 2 welcome 0 8 key features 1 0 getting started 1 2 input types 1 4 selecting an input 1 5 muting 1 6 HDCD® decoding 1 7 sampling frequency 1 8 jitter reduction 1 9 de-emphasis 2 0 outputs 2 1 running in and warming up 2 2 care and maintenance 1 2 ® mute button fuse carrier analog output sockets optical input sockets coaxial input sockets AES/EBU input socket 220-240V ~ 50-60Hz Fuse: T1A L 250V OUTPUT OPTICAL INPUT eiaj left 1 2 3 1 COAXIAL INPUT spdif 75 ohm 2 3 COAXIAL OUTPUT spdif 75 ohm XLR INPUT aes/ebu 110 ohm bal right 2 4 technical data 2 8 international standards made in United Kingdom serial number DAC 1234567 is a registered trademark of Pacific Microsonics Inc. ac supply socket digital output socket Specification shown may var y for different countries welcome to a new partnership . . i n h i - p e r fo r m a n c e , h i - f i d e l i t y All TAG companies perpetually strive for, and achieve, excellence and highperformance in every area of their business. These qualities are demonstrated in the fastidious standards that make TAG Heuer Derek Scotland (on the left) ­ Technical Director Peter Stevens ­ Chief Industrial Designer Dr. Zucker ­ Chief Executive TAG McLaren Audio has been created with celebrating a TAG McLaren victor y one aim in mind: to produce the best highfidelity audio and audio-visual systems available. Now the first fruits of that Now, this blend of talent and expertise has been combined with the award-winning experience of Audiolab to create a company with a technical advantage and access to resources second-to-none in the high end audio industry TAG McLaren Audio. Throughout the F3 Series development process, quality, performance and reliability have been paramount, resulting in unparalleled performance, operational excellence and sheer listening pleasure. alliance are ready ­ a unique new range of audio products. watches some of the world's most admired; in the teamwork that makes TAG McLaren's motor racing team one of the most successful in Formula One; and in the advanced electronics technology that makes TAG Electronic Systems the first choice for many Formula One constructors and high-performance car makers. 03 welcome welcome accurate reproduction digital filtering Digital recording is quite insensitive to data losses, such as a scratch on a disc or a drop out on a tape. However, rebuilding the recorded music exactly, even from a perfect digital recording, is a complex task which is often not appreciated and has only recently been fully understood. Thank you for purchasing the TAG McLaren Audio digital to analogue converter DAC20. very high resolution We are convinced it will give you many hours of listening pleasure. Digital methods of recording music have many advantages, such as very low noise, high dynamic range and fast searching but, until now, you may have been disappointed by the sound quality when you play digital recordings. At TAG McLaren Audio, we understand exactly what needs to be done to get the best sound from a digital recording. 04 The digital signal represents the original music as rapidly changing groups of bits (i.e. the `zeros' and `ones' understood by computers). More bits in each group allow a more accurate representation of the music information during its processing. The DAC20 uses 24 bits (eight bits more than a CD's original recording), which results in higher signal resolution and more precise sound details. By its nature, digital data generates unwanted, high-frequency noise when it is converted back to the analogue domain (which is what our ears can hear). Even though the noise frequency is way above the threshold of human hearing, it has unpleasant effects on the sound due to what audio engineers call `intermodulation'.To remove this noise, the DAC20 uses a digital filter which is made more effective by oversampling and noise shaping the data. This technique reduces the high frequency noise by using an 8 times digital oversampling filter.The data from the filter is further oversampled, using noise shaping, to produce a 192 times single bit data stream for conversion back to analogue. 05 welcome welcome stable internal clock The timing of the data is as important as the data itself.Timing inaccuracy, known as `jitter', is responsible for a wide range of subtle distortions. In the DAC20, jitter is reduced to an absolute technical minimum by a very stable electronic clock which is synchronised to the incoming digital data stream to provide accurate timing.The retimed output is sent to a digital 75 coaxial SPDIF output for digital recording purposes, as well as to the analogue section of the converter. HDCD decoding ® resolution and quality than on a standard CD. A digital to analogue converter with an HDCD® facility, such as the DAC20, is necessary to make use of this higher resolution.The DAC20 recognises recordings made with HDCD® encoding and applies the appropriate decoding to make use of the improved music information. multiple input formats automatic detection of sampling frequency and pre-emphasis The DAC20 automatically detects the sampling frequency of the incoming digital data stream and switches its internal circuits to match. If the original recording was made with pre-emphasis, the DAC20 will automatically switch on de-emphasis to take advantage of it. high-quality analogue output excellent sound quality.The analogue output terminals are duplicated for your convenience. The DAC20 combines digital precision with analogue purity. HDCD® (High Definition Compatible Digital) is a proprietary technique developed by Pacific Microsonics Incorporated. Using HDCD®, the recording engineer can record the music at a higher 06 The DAC20 accepts digital data in three different formats: SPDIF 75 coaxial using both phono and BNC connectors; optical EIAJ using TOSLINK connectors and, for optimum noise rejection, AES/EBU 110 , balanced, transformercoupled using XLR connectors. Input can be selected from one of the three optical inputs, one of the three coaxial inputs or from the AES/EBU input. TM With all our effort on the digital side (and we have only listed a few topics here), we have not forgotten the analogue music reproduction, which is as important as the recovery of the music from the digital domain.The analogue circuit in the DAC20 is a `no-compromise' design using highquality, high-stability components to send a smooth, clean signal to your amplifier for 07 key features key features · · · HDCD® compatible with automatic switching 24 bit data processing · Linear phase output filters with high-quality, high-stability active and passive components Three coaxial SPDIF inputs with phono and BNC sockets AES/EBU balanced input with XLR socket Three optical EIAJ inputs Two low-impedance analogue stereo outputs to allow long cable runs Coaxial SPDIF digital output with precisely retimed signal for high-quality digital recording Sorbothane® sonic isolation feet, specially designed by TAG McLaren Audio(1) · Single bit digital to analogue converter with 20 bit resolution and 192 times oversampling Ultra linear, low-noise, low-distortion single-bit conversion `Straight Line Technology' links the digital to analogue converter to the audio output Very low noise master clock synchronises with the digital data input to minimise jitter Automatic sampling frequency selection Automatic de-emphasis Microprocessor control Automatic and manual muting Immunity to electromagnetic interference enhanced by double layer, epoxy glass printed circuit board technology · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1. For the very best performance we recommend that our units are placed on individual shelves and are not stacked one on top of another 08 09 getting started getting started We know you are keen to get your DAC20 working. This section will have you listening to your favourite music as quickly as possible. If you fold out the front cover of this manual you will locate diagrams which will help you find your way around your DAC20(1). power connection before you start Make sure that all the components of your audio system are disconnected from the AC supply whenever you change any connections. Make sure the amplifier's volume is turned down and the CD input is selected. Check that the power button is out so that power is off when you plug in(4). Using the cable supplied, connect the socket on the back of your DAC20 to an AC supply outlet. For the best sound quality, we recommend that you do not use multi-plug adaptors. sound source connection You will need a source of digital signals to feed into your DAC20, (such as our CD transport CDT20R), a CD player with a digital output (such as our CD20R), or a DAT player. Use a good-quality, screened digital cable to connect the coaxial SPDIF digital output socket of your sound source to the coaxial SPDIF socket marked COAXIAL INPUT spdif 75 ohm 1 on the back of your DAC20(2). The cable should have a phono plug for the DAC20 at one end and the appropriate plug for your digital signal source at the other end. COAXIAL INPUT spdif 75 ohm 1 2 3 switch on Press the power button in. The blue power LED will come on. Start playing your sound source. Turn up the volume, sit back and enjoy the music. 1. 2. Throughout this instruction manual (except in titles), bold print indicates the lettering that you will find on the panels of your DAC20 To enable you to get started easily, we suggest you use a phono-phono digital cable. However, you will get better results with the BNC or the AES/EBU output. If you want to use the BNC, the AES/EBU or the optical inputs please see page 12 If your amplifier does not have an input labelled CD, you can usually connect to an input labelled AUX or LINE input instead The power button is a latching switch. One press will hold it in, the next will release it amplifier connection Use a good-quality screened, phono-phono audio cable to connect the phono sockets marked OUTPUT left and right on the back of your DAC20 to the corresponding CD inputs of your amplifier(3). 3. 4. 10 11 input types input types Your DAC20 has three types of digital input(1) : AES/EBU, coaxial SPDIF and optical. If you have a choice of outputs from your signal source, we recommend that you use the coaxial SPDIF via a BNC connector, followed in preference by the AES/EBU connection, then the coaxial SPDIF via a phono connector and finally the optical EIAJ. All the inputs are on the back of your DAC20. Please ask your retailer for advice on selecting the best input format. Always use high-quality digital cables for connecting inputs. optical input XLR connectors are latched so you will hear a click when the plug is fully inserted. You have to press the button on the socket to remove the plug. Suitable 110 , balanced, digital interconnecting cables are available from your retailer. coaxial input The coaxial inputs conform to the SPDIF format and are intended to be used with 75 cable. Three independent coaxial inputs are provided. For your convenience two types of connector are used. COAXIAL INPUT 1 and 2 have phono sockets while INPUT 3 has a BNC socket. COAXIAL INPUT spdif 75 ohm 1 2 3 Optical inputs are provided to allow you to use your DAC20 with equipment which only has an optical output, such as certain models of MiniDisc and LaserDisc player. The optical inputs conform to the EIAJ RC-5720 format for optical cable(2). Three independent optical inputs are provided. The sockets are the rectangular TOSLINKTM type. Suitable interconnecting cables are available from your retailer. OPTICAL INPUT eiaj 1 2 3 aes/ebu input The AES/EBU format was developed for professional use in broadcasting and recording studios. It is transformer-coupled and uses balanced output to allow the use of long cables. An XLR socket is provided for this input. XLR INPUT aes/ebu 110 ohm bal 1. 2. The digital signal carries both stereo channels so only one connection is needed Avoid using the TOSLINKTM optical connection if you can. Limitations inherent in the optical standard mean that the full capability of your DAC20 will not be used 12 13 selecting an input muting Your DAC20 has seven digital inputs: Three coaxial, three optical and one AES/EBU. Using the input and source buttons you can choose any one of these digital inputs to convert to analogue(1). Your DAC20 has a microprocessor-controlled muting system to prevent switching noises (which could damage your equipment) from being sent to your amplifier and loudspeakers. The LED on the front panel labelled mute will light when the output is muted. selecting an input The input button allows you to select the AES/EBU input or one of the other three inputs (either coaxial or opti ...