Audio Note Fifth Element Technical manual

!
Fifth Element
Fifth Force
!
DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE
CONVERTER
!
OWNER’S INFORMATION
!

1) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
2) CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
DISPOSAL
POWER REQUIREMENTS
3) INTRODUCTION
4) OVERVIEW
7) UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION
8) CONNECTION
13) OPERATION
14) TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
15) WARRANTY INFORMATION
16) CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTENTS
!

OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: -
Never touch the power cord with wet hands.
Always remove the power cord by grasping the plug, not the cable.
Never expose the unit to excessive heat or magnetism.
Never let an inexperienced person repair or reassemble the unit.
Never put anything, especially metal objects, inside the unit.
Never place excessive weight on the unit.
!
Do not store or operate this unit in areas of high humidity or in close
proximity to water / moisture.
Do not expose or immerse the unit in liquid of any kind.
!
This product generates high levels of heat. Adequate ventilation must
be provided. Do not restrict airflow through any ventilation slots or
place the unit on any surface that may restrict airflow.
Valve equipment operates at extremely high temperatures;
KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS.!
RISK OF SHOCK OR ELECTROCUTION! INTERNAL OPERATING
VOLTAGES ARE LETHAL!
Do not remove top cover, unless specifically instructed to do so in the user
manual.
This unit contains fuses and other safety components in accordance with
BS60065 requirements.
In the event of failure, replacement fuse or safety component must be of
the same part type and value.
!
This product must be earthed –ensure that the mains supply cable earth /
ground is correctly connected.
!
SUCH REPLACEMENT MUST ONLY BE CARRIED OUT BY A
QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN.
Do not attempt to replace any fuses without first disconnecting the unit
from the mains electricity supply.
! IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION !

POWER REQUIREMENTS
Power requirements for electrical equipment vary depending on your geographical
location. Please ensure that your unit meets the power requirements in your area.
The power requirement for your unit is marked on the serial number plate, located on
the rear panel.
If you are in doubt, please contact your dealer before plugging the unit into the mains
supply.
CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
DISPOSAL
This product must not be disposed of as normal household waste. To
prevent possible harm to the environment please separate the product
from other waste to ensure that it can be recycled in an environmentally
safe manner. Please contact your retailer or the appropriate local
government office for collection facilities.
!
We declare under our sole responsibility that this product is in conformity
with the following standards or standardized documents:
BS EN 60065 in accordance with the regulations 73/23/EEC, 89/336/EEC
(from 1 January 1997)
CE 94
Peter Qvortrup,
Director
Audio Note (UK) Limited
25 Montefiore Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 1RD
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
!

Thank you for purchasing this Audio Note (UK) product. With the correct care it
should give you many years of pleasure and enjoyment.
Please take the time to read all of the information in this manual before connecting
your new component to an electrical supply or your system, to ensure both your
safety and satisfaction.
Please note that due to our desire to continually improve products, specifications are
subject to change without notice. Therefore it is important to refer to the manual that
is supplied with your product for the most accurate information; manuals downloaded
from our website or obtained from other sources may no longer fully apply to your
product.
If you have any questions regarding the information contained within this document
or your new component, please feel free to contact us: -
Audio Note (UK) Limited
25 Montefiore Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 1RD
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]o.uk
INTRODUCTION

Ever since its introduction, we at Audio Note have been highly critical of digital music
reproduction. This dissatisfaction was the instigating force in our quest to make
digital playback more dynamically realistic and less fatiguing.Although we cannot
defeat the inherent limitations of the format and its recording engineers, we have
elevated CD reproduction to a previously unattained level of quality and performance,
and with the DAC 5, we proudly present our most radically advanced and iconoclastic
digital circuit design so far.
To understand the path that led us to the development of our current range of Digital
to Analogue Converters, it is worth looking back at our ‘digital history’. Our first
defining assault was made in 1992 when we introduced the DAC3, which, with its
patented transformer / filter interface circuit, revolutionized CD play back.!What we
learnt from the experiments with the digital / analogue interface transformers and
filters in the DAC3 was that there had to be more information available on the discs
than previous believed.!Digital filters and the associated over sampling had been
broadly discussed, analyzed and criticized, but what no-one had done at this time
was to remove them altogether,to see what their real effects on ultimate sound
quality were. So, that is exactly what we decided to do, and the results were
dramatic, to say the least.
The improvements this completely new circuit topology introduced resulted in a level
of CD playback quality that was previously unimagined. To this day, we combine
these purely analogue filters (dubbed 1x oversampling™ direct from disc™
technology) with the finest components and materials available, including transformer
interfaces and the highest quality vacuum tube circuitry to produce a range of Digital
to Analogue Converters that are both refreshingly lifelike and free from conventional
digital restraints and mechanical artifacts.
Audio Note (UK) Digital to Analogue Converters

Congratulations on your purchase of the Audio Note (UK) Fifth Element / Fifth Force
DAC. It is without doubt or question, the finest Digital to Analogue Converter we have
ever produced. As one would expect, no expense has been spared in the
construction of the circuit or the components used, and it is a full Audio Note (UK)
Level 5 product.
It has been specifically engineered for sonic performance rather than technical
specification, and fulfills all Audio Note (UK) Level 5 criteria: -
Pure Class A operation
Zero negative feedback
Single Ended circuit topology
Valve rectification
Materials and component quality
The Fifth Element / Fifth Force is one of the most unique digital products available
today. It uses the most unusual and innovative digital circuit on the market,combined
with some of the finest components, materials and power supplies possible.
Extensive research into the fundamental properties of the data stream itself have
shown beyond doubt that,regardless of the theoretical advantages of the signal
manipulation employed in our competitors products, such as higher over sampling,
noise shaping, re-clocking or jitter reduction, these corrective measures greatly
interfere with the critical time domain requirements of the signal.
Music is a time continuum from start to end which when broken is irreparably
damaged,and no amount of clever manipulation can restore it to its original
time / frequency / amplitude duration or relationship, regardless of what the theorists
may tell you.
As a result,we have developed a way of excluding or bypassing all these corrective
measures, to allow the conversion from digital to analogue to be done without any
manipulation whatsoever. All we do is to reformat the data stream to allow the
converter chip to be able to interpolate the incoming information correctly.
In other words, the Fifth Element / Fifth Force has no over sampling, no jitter
reduction, no noise shaping and no re-clocking. Having removed all of the digital
filtering that is required for over sampling, all filtering is done in the analogue domain
where it is easier to retain good,wide band phase-frequency and dynamically
coherent behavior. It uses the highest grade Analogue Devices AD1865, 18Bit stereo
converter chip solely because we found it to be the best sounding available (yes,
even better than the 20Bit versions).
The filter-interface coils / transformers are of the highest possible quality, using 55%
nickel Super mu-metal cores with 99.99% pure Audio Note™ silver wires. The air
gaps in the two filter coils per channel are matched across the full frequency range to
within 0.1dB of each other,using a specially designed program to supplement an
Audio Precision System 2 test rig.
FIFTH ELEMENT / FIFTH FORCE DAC

An extremely unique feature of the Fifth Element / Fifth Force is its use of an input
buffer stage for the incoming digital signal, using an EF800 valve. Audio Note (UK)
was the first company in the world to commercially implement such an arrangement,
and it is one of the many technical achievements found in the Fifth Element / Fifth
Force that pushes the performance of this Digital to analogue Converter beyond the
threshold previously thought possible for such a device or digital audio technology in
general.
The Fifth Element / Fifth Force features a version of the M9 preamplifier line stage,
using a 5814a (ECC82 / 12AU7a / 6189) and a Telefunken 6463, both of which are
dual triodes valves. These are coupled to an output transformer, wound with Audio
Note (UK) silver wire on a 55% Nickel Audio Note (UK) Supa-Perma C cores. With a
33:1 step-down ratio, this output transformer not only has exceptionally wide
frequency response, but also just about the absolutely best dynamic transfer function
possible. The analogue output has provisions for both usingle ended and balanced
operation, using the best available quality RCA and XLR connectors.
To power this spectacularly revealing arrangement, we have incorporated a version
of the Galahad power supply found in our M9 Phono preamplifier. This supply
features full valve rectification, regulation and voltage stabilization. This technique not
only provides excellent isolation between the digital circuitry and power supply, but
also provides well-isolated short and clean analogue signal paths. The digital power
supply is an exceptionally low noise, shunt-type.
Internal component quality of this caliber has never before been seen, in either
consumer or professional equipment. There is an abundance of Black Gate and
Cerafine Audio capacitors, and Audio Note (UK) Tantalum film resistors throughout
the circuit. Analogue stage filter inductors and internal wiring are all produced with
Audio Note (UK) 99.99% pure silver wire.
FIFTH FORCE / FIFTH ELEMENT DAC continued…

Please take care when unpacking your Fifth Element / Fifth Force DAC. Choose a
clean, clear location to unpack your units. Be aware that the DAC and its power
supply are extremely heavy; before attempting to unpack or lift the units, check the
weight and if necessary use more than one person so that they can be moved safely
and easily.
We recommend that you retain and carefully store all of the original packing
materials, in case transportation / shipping is required at a later date.
Select a suitable location for the units. This should be a dry, dust free and level area,
preferably shielded from direct sunlight and free from vibration. Also ensure that the
location is stable and capable of carrying the weight of the units.
A suitable mains power outlet must be close to the location; power cords must not be
pulled or stretched tightly in an attempt to reach a wall socket. If the power cords will
not easily reach the socket, choose a closer location!
Please ensure that adequate ventilation for the units is provided, and that airflow
through any ventilation slots in the casework is not restricted. We recommend a
distance of at least 20cm free space is maintained above each unit. Please also
remember that valve equipment operates at extremely high temperatures, so a
position that is inaccessible to children or animals is essential.
UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION

Special Note –Make sure that all connectionsare tight and clean. For
best results use good quality audio interconnects. Although it is
perfectly acceptable to use cables manufactured by other companies,
for best results and performance, we recommend our own Audio Note
(UK) range of interconnects and loudspeaker cables. For further
information, please consult your nearest Audio Note (UK) dealer, or
alternatively please feel free to contact us directly.
Inputs The Fifth Element / Fifth Force is equipped with one digital input,
consisting of a single ended RCA socket, located towards the centre
of the rear panel of the Fifth Element chassis.
Outputs The Fifth Element / Fifth Force provides two single ended outputs,
consisting of two pairs of colour coded RCA / Single Ended sockets.
RED is for RIGHT channel connection, WHITE is for LEFT channel
connection.
There is also a balanced output, consisting of a pair of ‘male’ XLR
sockets (see ‘Balanced’ section, below).
CONNECTION OVERVIEW
R
L
R
L
BAL / XLR OUTPUT LEFT AND RIGHT
EARTH
CONNECTION
SINGLE ENDED / RCA RIGHT OUTPUTS
!
SINGLE ENDED / RCA DIGITAL INPUT
SINGLE ENDED / RCA LEFT OUTPUTS
!

XLR MALE
OUTPUT
1
2
3
RCA
OUTPUT
SOCKET
BALANCED /
SINGLE ENDED
SWITCH
RCA The two pairs of RCA / Single Ended outputs are identical, and are for
connection to a pre amplifier or recording device.
Balanced The Fifth Element / Fifth Force is equipped with custom designed and
manufactured output transformers, which feature an improved output
and grounding scheme to provide the best possible connection to the
pre amplifier.
Below is a description of the various cable and connection options: -
The pin configuration for all Audio Note (UK)
XLR / BALANCED connections is as follows: -
PIN 1 Ground / Shield
PIN 2 Positive / Send
PIN 3 Negative / Return
CONNECTION OVERVIEW continued…
RCA SOCKET,
CENTRE = POSITIVE / SEND.
RCA SOCKET,
SHELL = NEGATIVE / RETURN.

CONNECTION OVERVIEW continued…
CONVENTIONAL: SCREEN CONNECTED AT BOTH ENDS
XLR FEMALE
XLR MALE
3
1
1
2
2
3
SCREEN
DAC OUTPUT
PRE AMP INPUT
SCREEN CONNECTED AT PREAMP END ONLY, TO
ELIMINATE GROUND LOOPS
3
2
1
2
1
3
SCREEN
XLR FEMALE
XLR MALE
DAC OUTPUT
PRE AMP INPUT
CABLE CONFIGURATION FOR XLR BALANCED
OUTPUT TO RCA / SINGLE ENDED INPUT
2
1
3
SCREEN
XLR FEMALE
RCA MALE
DAC OUTPUT
PRE AMP INPUT
CABLE CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
When connecting the XLR / BALANCED outputs to a pre amplifier with an
RCA / Single Ended input, the switch must be set to the
‘SINGLE ENDED’position.
!

The balanced and single ended outputs cannot be used simultaneously!
Select the appropriate output using the toggle switch.
When using a pre amplifier with a true balanced input, the ‘BALANCED / SINGLE
ENDED’ switch may be set in either position.
When set to the ‘BALANCED’ position, the centre tap of the output transformer
secondary is connected to the Fifth Element’s ground.
When set in the ‘SINGLE ENDED’ (unbalanced) position, the secondary ‘floats’ in
relation to the Fifth Element’s ground. This provides the option of either a low or high
common mode impedance to ground at the Fifth Element’s output. Experiment with
both positions to achieve the lowest background hum from the system.
Umbilical A dedicated cable is supplied for connection of the Fifth Element unit
to the Fifth Force power supply unit.
The cable is fitted with Military specification circular connectors, and
can only be installed in one direction; the male connector attaches to
the Fifth Force ‘DC OUT’ socket, the female connector attaches to the
Fifth Element ‘DC INPUT’ socket.
The connectors are a ‘push and twist’ bayonet design, and once the
connector and socket have been aligned, twist the external ring on the
connector to secure it to the socket.
CONNECTION OVERVIEW continued…
R
L
R
L

Mains The Fifth Element / Fifth Force use an IEC 320 mains inlet socket for
each chassis. Use the supplied mains cablesto connect the unitsto
the local mains supply. The mains fuses are located in separate fuse
holders, situated below the mains inlet sockets.
Ground Post Each of the chassis is fitted with a separate Earth connection / ground
post. The post located on the Fifth Element unit is for connection to
source components that also use a separate ground terminal. The
ground post located on the Fifth Force power supply can be used in
situations where the following preamplifiers require a separate ground
connection to maintain quiet, hum free operation. Please consult your
official Audio Note (UK) agent for further information on how best to
use these in your system.
If you are in any way uncertain regarding these connections, please
consult your official Audio Note (UK) agent.
CONNECTION OVERVIEW continued…
R
L
R
L
MAINS INPUTS
GROUND POSTS

Once all the connections are completed and checked, ensure that the volume control
on your preamplifier / integrated amplifier is at the minimum setting.
Ensure that the CD Transport connected to the Fifth Element / Fifth Force is
switched ON. Source components should always be the FIRST components to be
switched on and the LAST components to be switched off.
Ensure that all pre and power amplifiers connected to the Fifth Element / Fifth
Force are switched OFF.
The above procedure minimizes the possibility of loud noises produced by
components at switch on being passed to the loudspeakers and possibly causing
damage.
Turn on the Fifth Element / Fifth Force by using the rocker switches located on the
rear panels, above the mains inlet IEC sockets. The red ‘power on’ indicator LEDs
located on the front panels should now be illuminated.
Turn on your pre amplifier / power amplifier / integrated amplifier. If you are using a
pre / power combination, always turn on the pre amplifier BEFORE the power
amplifier(s).
The Fifth Element / Fifth Force is now ready for operation!
Bedding in The Fifth Element / Fifth Force requires around 200 hours of
initial use (called “bedding in”) before the circuitry becomes
stable and optimum performance is realized. As the device
“beds in” the sound will become increasingly more smooth,
detailed and open. A warm up time of approximately 30
minutes is required each time the device is switched on before
optimum sonic performance is reached.
Cleaning No special maintenance is required for the Fifth Element / Fifth
Force. Use a soft, clean lint free cloth to remove any surface
marks from the casework. For finger marks / grease, use a soft,
clean lint free cloth, lightly moistened with a solution of warm
water and mild detergent. Do not use any alcohol or solvent
based cleaning products, as they may damage the finish.
ENSURE THAT THE DEVICE IS SWITCHED OFF AND
DISCONNECTED FROM THE MAINS ELECTRICITY
SUPPLY BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY CLEANING.
Valve Life The valves supplied with your Fifth Element / Fifth Force
should provide approximately 5 years of operation. They are
specially selected by us, and should only be replaced with
valves of the same type and specification. Please consult your
Audio Note (UK) dealer should your valves need replacing.
Alternatively, feel free to contact us directly.
OPERATION

INPUT
RCA 75Ohms SPDif
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
600 Ohms, Balanced or Single Ended
REFERENCE OUTPUT
3.2V RMS
CHANNEL BALANCE
Less than 0.2dB
VALVE COMPLIMENT
1 x 5814a
1 x 6463
1 x EF800
1 x 6X5
1 x 6X5
1 x ECL82
1 x OB2
FUSE RATINGS
5 x 20mm Time Delay type
(per chassis)
2 x 1.6A (110 / 120V supply)
2 x 800mA (220 / 240V supply)
UNIT WEIGHT (per chassis)
20 KG
SHIPPING WEIGHT
(Original packaging, per chassis)
27 KG
UNIT DIMENSIONS (per chassis)
260mm (h) x 560mm (w) x 540mm (d)
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS
(Original packaging,per chassis)
460mm (h) x 760mm (w) x 740mm (d)
DIGITAL SYSTEM
18Bit Ananloue Devices AD1865N
44.1 / 48 / 96KHz input capability.
NOTE
Due to Audio Note (UK)’s ongoing
research and development program,
specifications are subject to change
without notice.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
FORCE
ELEMENT

Audio Note (UK) warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for two yearsfrom the original date of purchase from an appointed
Audio Note (UK) dealer, and agrees to cover the cost of parts and associated labour
required to correct such defects, subject to terms & conditions.
This Warranty is offered to the first purchaser only.
Any valves supplied with the unit are warranted for three months from the original
date of purchase.
If the product fails in normal domestic use and during the Warranty period due to the
above described faults or defects, Audio Note (UK) will,at its discretion, repair or
replace the item free of charge within a reasonable time once it has been returned to
Audio Note (UK) or an appointed Audio Note (UK) dealer or service engineer.
Audio Note (UK) is not liable for any shipping charges incurred whilst transporting the
product to or from Audio Note (UK) or an appointed Audio Note (UK) dealer or
service engineer, should the item require service or repair during or after the
Warranty period.
If the product must be shipped, please use the original packaging materials and
include a copy of the original sales receipt along with a note explaining, in as much
detail as possible, the problems you are experiencing with the unit.
Only use a reputable Courier Service or Shipping Agent, and ensure that your
product is insured during transit.
Any servicing, repairs or modificationsnot authorized by Audio Note (UK), or
carried out by persons other than appointed Audio Note (UK) service
engineers will invalidate any warranty.
This Warranty does NOT cover: -
Damage sustained whilst in the possession of a shipping agent, retailer or consumer
and not caused as a direct result of defects in materials or workmanship.
Damage caused by normal wear and tear.
Damage or defects caused by abnormal or unreasonable use.
Damage caused by accident, acts of nature, misuse or neglect.
Damage caused by a failure to follow the operating and installation instructions
supplied with the product.
Damage caused by improper or careless cleaning.
Audio Note (UK) reserves the right to refuse warranty for any component of which
WARRANTY INFORMATION

the serial number has been removed, defaced or tampered with.
Audio Note (UK) Limited
25 Montefiore Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 1RD
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]o.uk
CONTACT INFORMATION
If in the future your Audio Note (UK) product
requires servicing, or if you require technical support
or have any questions regarding this or any of our
other products, please contact your local Audio Note
(UK) dealer.
Alternatively, please feel free to contact us directly: -!