Bel Canto DAC3 User manual

Dac3™
e.One™Series
Audio DAC/Preamplifier
with Ultra-ClockTM
Bel Canto Design, LTD.
212 Third Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.belcantodesign.com
[email protected]
©2006 Bel Canto Design, LTD
User's Guide

page 3©2006 bel canto design, Ltd. Dac3 User’s Guide 0806 Rev. A
Please take a moment to fill out your warranty regis-
tration sheet. Returning this registration validates
your warranty. This information will not be sold or
released outside Bel Canto. Your comments and sug-
gestions help us continue to improve upon our prod-
ucts and services.
Bel Canto products are automatically covered by a
90 day factory warranty. With no additional cost,
you have the option to extend your warranty by com-
pleting and returning the enclosed warranty registra-
tion form within 30 days of purchase, along with a
copy of the original sales receipt from an authorized
Bel Canto dealer. This will ensure prompt warranty
coverage. This warranty is only valid to the original
owner who has returned the warranty sheet along
with a copy of the original sales receipt, covering all
internal parts and workmanship. This warranty is
void if damage is due to abuse, neglect, or unautho-
rized modification. The cost associated with the
return of this unit is the sole responsibility of the
owner.
Bel Canto products are uniquely identified with a
serial number on the back panel of each unit. This
number is required to validate your warranty. Please
reference the serial number if service is required. If
you have any questions, comments, or if we can be
of service, please contact us Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT/USA.
Warranty Information
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Power Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Placement and Initial Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Design Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Control and display Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 - 7
Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Rear Panel Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Hum Prevention and Operating Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Thank you for purchasing the Bel Canto Design Dac3. Your Dac3 sets a benchmark for
design, quality and sonic performance, continuing Bel Canto’s heritage of musicality
and realism.
Dac3
Audio DAC/Preamplifier
with Ultra-ClockTM
™

The power supply on the Dac3 is preset
for the proper power voltage. The power
cable should have the correct plug for
your local power system. If you believe
this to not be true, please contact your
dealer immediately.
Warning!
Do not connect power to this
product yet!
This product, like any electrical compo-
nent, can be dangerous and cause
injury unless correct handling proce-
dures are observed and used. Before
powering this product it is necessary to
read and follow proper setup and proce-
dures.
page 4
© 2006 bel canto design, Ltd. Dac3 User’s Guide 0806 Rev. A
Unpacking your DAC3
Power Connection
DAC3 box contents include the following:
1 (one) - Dac3 Digital to Analog Converter
1 (one) - Dac3 User’s Guide
1 (one) - Power cord [6.6’ - 2 meters long]
1 (one) - Remote Control
1 (one) – Warranty Sheet
Carefully unpack each piece and check
for shipping damage. If there is any
damage, or if anything is missing,
please contact your dealer, distributor or
Bel Canto Design.
IMPORTANT: Save all packing
materials as the packing is spe-
cially designed to protect the
unit during transportation or shipping. If
the packaging becomes lost or dam-
aged, please contact your dealer, dis-
tributor or Bel Canto before attempting
to transport your unit.

page 5©2006 bel canto design, Ltd. Dac3 User’s Guide 0806 Rev. A
Because the Dac3 runs cool it can be
placed in many system locations without
compromise. We do not recommend
placing weights or other objects directly
on the Dac3. This may mar or scratch
the chassis finish. Do not use harsh
chemicals when cleaning the outside of
your Dac3.
The Bel Canto Dac3 represents a power-
ful statement in high performance audio
Data Converters. Its superb audio per-
formance and transparency renders it a
modern standard in DAC design:
• Ultra-ClockTM master reference clock
provides superb dynamics, spatial reso-
lution and accuracy of timbre.
• 130dB dynamic range enures un-com-
promised audio quality
• 5 digital inputs including AES, SPDIF-
BNC, SPDIF-RCA, USB and TOSLINK
• 4-layer PC board design for superior
signal routing, grounding and power
supply routing
• Latest generation of low-noise, low-dis-
tortion, high speed, class A biased, fully
balanced audio circuits provide superb
measured and subjective audio quality
• Multi-stage power supplies for precise
power to the sensitive analog and digital
circuitry
• Independent Analog and Digital power
transformers and power supplies for
optimum isolation and system grounding
• Digital level control with 4.5Vrms bal-
anced outputs for driving a power amp
directly, providing the greatest system
transparency and dynamic performance
• Single-Knob user interface provides
simple, intuitive control function
• Dual stage de-jitter architecture insure
optimum jitter peformance
• 24/192 DAC operation and slow-
rolloff analog and digital filters for opti-
mum phase performance, enhanced
image placement and natural harmonic
structure
• Select audio-grade passive components
throughout analog current conversion,
filtering and fully balanced output buffer
section for best sonic performance
• Full Galvanic Isolation on all digital
inputs for optimum rejection of ground
and common mode noise
Placement and Initial Setup
Design Features
IMPORTANT: Make all connections before powering your unit.

page 6©2006 bel canto design, Ltd. Dac3 User’s Guide 0806 Rev. A
Front Panel Control Knob:
The control knob is a continuously rotat-
ing control with a push-switch function.
Standby Mode:
Pressing and holding the control knob
for 2 seconds will take the Dac3 out of
Standby and in to operating mode. The
unit will come up in a soft mute mode.
The operating input will be indicated for
several seconds and then it will go to the
volume control mode. To place the Dac3
in Standby mode press and hold the
control knob for 2 seconds.
Variable Output Mode:
The Dac3 Variable Output operating
mode, selected from the rear panel
Fixed/Variable output switch, allows you
to change volume level by rotating the
knob. The volume down function (count-
er-clockwise rotation) is very rapid and
allows quick changes in the volume
level. Volume up (clockwise rotation)
functions rapidly up to a displayed vol-
ume level of 65.0. There is a pause at
65.0 until the display dims then the vol-
ume up function continues more slowly.
This operation makes it difficult to acci-
dentally set a volume level that is too
high.
Input Selection Mode:
Pressing the control knob in briefly will
toggle into the input selection mode. The
selected input will be displayed for 5
seconds. During this time you can rotate
the control knob to scroll to the desired
input. Pressing the knob again will select
the indicated input. The volume level will
automatically ramp down and up during
this selection process. If the control knob
is not pressed for 5 seconds, the indicat-
ed input will automatically be selected
and the Dac3 will return to the default
volume control mode. Inputs are indicat-
ed as: AES, SP1(SPDIF1), SP2(SPDIF2),
opt(TOSLINK), and USB.
Fixed Output Operating Mode:
Pressing the rear panel Fixed/Variable
Output switch to the in position will set
the Dac3 in a fixed output operating
mode. This mode is used when driving
an analog preamp or integrated amplifi-
er input. The volume control function is
then provided by the associated pream-
plifier or integrated amplifier.
To use the Fixed Ouput mode set the
ouput level to 100.0 for a 2.25Vrms
maximum level from the RCA outputs or
4.5Vrms level for the Balanced XLR out-
puts. If you want the outputs set for a
lower level then set the volume control to
a lower level. for example, for about
2Vrms out from the balanced outputs set
the volume control to 93.0. This will rep-
resent about a 2 Vrms output level on
the balanced outputs. When the level is
set then press the rear panel
Fixed/Variable Output button. The front
panel display will now show the selected
input. Rotating the knob will scroll to dif-
ferent inputs and the Volume and Mute
functions on the remote will not function.
Dac3 Single-Knob Control Functions and Display

page 7©2006 bel canto design, Ltd. Dac3 User’s Guide 0806 Rev. A
Mute: (available only on the
remote)
The Dac3 starts up in Soft Mute. This
level is 20dB below the displayed vol-
ume level. When MUTE is first pressed it
goes to the Soft state, indicated by 2
decimal points on the volume display
(i.e. 65.0.). Pressing MUTE again rapid-
ly will fully MUTE the outputs. Full mute
is indicated by 4 decimal points in the
volume display (i.e. .6.5.0.). This control
is disabled when the Dac3 is in Fixed
Output Mode.
DAC In:
This is used to toggle through the inputs,
when initially pressed it will indicate the
currently selected input.
Standby:
Used to toggle the DAC3 into and out of
standby mode. Standby hard mutes the
outputs while keeping all circuitry run-
ning, maintaining optimum circuit per-
formance. Before unplugging the DAC3
from mains power it is recommended to
place it in standby first. Standby is indi-
cated by the presence of 2 dashes on
the display - - .
Volume +, Volume -:
These increase (+) and decrease (-) the
volume level on the Dac3. They can be
pressed multiple times or held to scroll
volume up and down. These controls are
disabled when the Dac3 is in Fixed
Output Mode.
Remote Control
Front Panel Digital Lock
Indicator
When no digital input signal is present
on an input the first decimal point on
the display will blink on and off. For
example the display will show: . 65.0
and the first decimal point will be slow-
ly blinking. If this occurs you need to
check that the correct input is selected
and then check that the digital source
is connected, active and functioning
correctly.

page 8©2006 bel canto design, Ltd. Dac3 User’s Guide 0806 Rev. A
Remote Control
Vol
Vol
Mute
Dac
In
Pre
In
_
+
CONTROLS HARD AND SOFT MUTE
VOLUME CONTROL
STANDBY
INPUT SELECTION
The Dac3’s sonic performance will
start to stabilize after 100 hours of
continuous power up.
Conditioning

page 9©2006 bel canto design, Ltd. Dac3 User’s Guide 0806 Rev. A
Dac3 Rear Panel
Dac3 Rear Panel Connections
Insure that the Fixed/Variable Output button is in the out (variable) posi-
tion if using the Dac3 directly into a power amplifier. Operation in fixed
mode directly into the amplifier could cause extreme output levels, clip-
ping and damage to the loudspeakers, amplifier or your ears!
AES/EBU Input accepts any AES/EBU stan-
dard 110 ohm digital source and operates
to at least a 24/96 data rate
SPDIF1 and SPDIF2 accept BNC or RCA
connections from any 75 ohm SPDIF
source and operate to at least 24/96 data
rate
TOSLINK input accept any standard plastic
or glass fiber optical TOSLINK cable and
operates to 24/96 data rate
USB input can be connected to any
Macintosh or PC computer for playback
any audio format up to a 16/48 data
rate. The system will automatically recog-
nize the Dac3 as an audio converter when
using Windows 98 or later or any recent
Macintosh operating system.
XLR 4.5Vrms or RCA 2.25Vrms outputs are
used for directly driving a power amplifier
in variable output mode or a preamplifier
input when in fixed output mode.
IEC power cord jack: Note the power set-
ting indicated on the back of the integrat-
ed amplifier before connecting the power.
When all connections to and from the unit
have been made then double check every-
thing before plugging the Dac3 into the
power souce. The Dac3 will come up in
standby, indicated by a pair of dashes on
the front panel (- -).

Dac3 Operating Tips
Output Connections
We strongly recommend that you use the
Balanced XLR output to drive your e.One
amplifier. Because of the DC coupled
nature of the Dac3 there is a small resid-
ual DC offset on the outputs. This is typi-
cally less than 10mV (0.01 Volts) and will
not be a problem for any Bel Canto
amplifier or any vacuum tube or solid
state amplifier with AC coupling or DC
servo control. There is no problem con-
necting to a preamp. If using a Bel Canto
preamp there will be no small click or
pop when selecting the input. Other pre-
amplifiers that do not ramp the volume up
or down may produce a small click when
selecting the Dac3 input.
Power Up
We recommend leaving the Dac3 pow-
ered at all times as the sonic quality is
best after several hundred hours of play
and 48-72 hours of power on after the
initial break-in time.
Connection to a Computer
The USB port can be used for up to
16/48 data, enough for any CD source.
For connection at 24/96 or higher data
rates we recommend using a quality
sound card with SPDIF, AES/EBU or glass
TOSLINK connection. For more details on
optimizing computer audio sources
please refer to our On-Line guide at:
www.belcantodesign.com
The design of the Dac3 reduces the
chance for ground loop induced hum and
noise but we still recommend that you use
shorter interconnect cables to the Dac3
inputs and connect all power cables to a
common outlet box or power conditioner
unit to reduce the possibility for ground
current noise being induced into the audio
signal path.
What to do if there is hum or ground noise
page 10©2006 bel canto design, Ltd. Dac3 User’s Guide 0806 Rev. A

Digital Section:
16/32 to 24/96 Inputs • AES 110ohm XLR, SPDIF 75ohm BNC and RCA, TOSLINK
16/32 to 16/48 Input • USB
All inputs are galvanically isolated from the internal circuit and chassis grounds.
Master Clock jitter: 1picosecond RMS, 5 picoseconds Peak-Peak
Analog Section:
Maximum Output • 4.5Vrms balanced XLR, 2.25Vrms RCA
Output Impedance • 200 ohms balanced XLR, 500 ohms RCA
Frequency Response • 20Hz-20kHz, +/- 0.5dB
THD+N • <0.001%, 4.5Vrms balanced Out, 1KHz
IMD (CCIF) • <0.0005%, 19:20KHz, 4 ohms
Output Noise • 3uVrms A-weighted 20Hz-20KHz
Dynamic Range • 129 dB A-weighted 20Hz-20KHz
Idle power draw • 15 Watts
Power Requirements • 120 VAC 50-60 Hz or 220-240 VAC 50-60 Hz
Dimensions • 8.5” W x 12.5” D x 3” H (216 mm x 318 mm x 75 mm)
Weight: • 14lbs. (6.5 kg)
Dac3 Specifications
page 11©2006 bel canto design, Ltd. Dac3 User’s Guide 0806 Rev. A

Bel Canto Design, LTD.
212 Third Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.belcantodesign.com
[email protected]
©2006 Bel Canto Design, LTD
DAC3™ is a trademark of Bel Canto Design, LTD