C.E.C. DA53 User manual
DA53
CEC Co. Ltd.
Saitama, Japan
USB-Soundsystem
Precision Upsampling
192 kHz / 24Bit D/A-Converter
Owner’s Manual
The lightning ash within a triangle is intended to alert the user to
the presence of dangerous voltage inside the product’s enclosure
that may cause an accident resulting in injury or death by re or
electrical shock.
The exclamation point within a triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of important operation and maintenance
(servicing) instructions.
Important Safety Instructions
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN THE UNIT.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE: REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing DA53! Please read the manual carefully in order to use your DA53 in the best
possible way.
DA53 is a state of the art upsampling D/A-Converter, also for use with computer via USB 1.1.
Included is a small section with standard HiFi-quality microphone amplier plus A/D-Converter and a
headphone amplier. This section is intended for e.g. internet telephony.
The unique combination of current injection and LEF Single Ended Class A technology in only one amplier
per balanced analog output stage provides you today’s best possible sound quality. The amplier section
runs without overall negative feedback. No dynamic distortions are created by the amplier.
DA53 supports up to 48kHz input sampling frequency via USB, up to 24Bit/96kHz via TOSLINK and up
to 24Bit/192kHz via SP/DIF COAX and AES/EBU. All input signals are upsampled and converted with
195 kHz/24Bit*).
DA53 is an excellent choice for high end audio equipment users looking for best sound quality, as well as
for persons who like upgrading their micro hi system (portable CD, MD..., as far as they have a digital
output) or computer to real high end audio sound.
Due to DA53’s balanced XLR digital input and analog output, DA53 is best choice for professional use.
DA53 is an excellent choice for computer users looking for highest level of sound quality by connecting
DA53 to the USB port. No need for a soundcard; no need for driver installation.
DA53 is a quite unique and versatile product. This manual is intended to introduce you all the available
features.
*) 195 kHz is no printing error! We chose this frequency for internal operation to avoid intermodulation
with any incoming sample frequency!
Specications
Specications
• Signal / Noise 115 dB at XLR-Output, 109 dB at RCA-Output
• THD 0.018 % at XLR (32Fs), 0.036 % at RCA
• RCA-Output: 2 Vrms
• XLR-Output: ±2 Vrms
• Power consumption: 5 W
• External dimensions (w / h / d): approx.: 217.5 x 59 x 290 mm
• Weight: approx.: 1.8 kg
Note:
• Specications and design subject to possible modication without notice, due to improvements. Errors
excepted.
Front Panel
Analog Output
u Balanced Output - Balanced XLR analog output. Whenever a suitable receiver is available this
output should be the rst choice.
XLR pinning as followed:
1 = Ground
2 = Non-inverted output, sometimes called “hot” or “+” input.
3 = Inverted output, sometimes called “cold” or “-” input.
vRCA Output - Standard RCA output for analog signal..
Digital Connection
wUSB - USB 1.1 connection to computer, supports up to 48 kHz sample rate.
xTOS-Link - Optical digital SP/DIF input, supports up to 96 kHz sampling frequency.
yCOAX - Coaxial digital SP/DIF input, supports up to 192 kHz sampling frequency.
zAES/EBU - Balanced digital SP/DIF input, according to professional standard, supports
up to 192 kHz sampling frequency. Whenever a suitable source is available
this input should be the rst choice.
XLR pinning see u
Power Connection
{AC Power - Connection for the AC power cord.
Rear Panel
USB Sound System Section
u
HEADPHONE
- Use this terminal for connecting a headphone with a 3.5 mm plug. Audio signals via
USB can be listened to.
v MIC - Microphone input terminal for connecting a microphone with a 3.5 mm plug.
By turning the level knob the microphone amplier switches on - indicated by Mic-LED
- and can be adjusted for optimum level. The microphone signal will be send via USB
to a connected computer.
The microphone and headphone section is supported up to 48 kHz sample rate and
is for USB sound system use only. Microphone signals can be send to computer via
USB. Audio signals via USB from computer can be listened by headphone. A common
use for this section is internet telephony.
w POWER - Power switch, turns the unit on / off. On is indicated by LED.
State Of The Art Digital Audio Section
x SELECT -
Select different settings, indicated by LED, by pushing and rotating the Rotary Encoder.
Press to choose one of the following function groups y to | and rotate to select your
choice.
y INPUT - Select the input source. The selected input is indicated by LED.
USB - USB 1.1 connection to a computer, supports up to 48 kHz sample rate.
TOSLINK - Optical TOSLINK input, supports up to 96 kHz sampling frequency.
COAX - Coaxial SP/DIF input, supports up to 192 kHz sampling frequency.
AES/EBU - Balanced AES/EBU SP/DIF input, supports up to 192 kHz sample rate.
z DF - Select Digital Filter: FLAT is optimized for linear frequency, SOFT for best dynamic.
{ ΔΣfs - Choice of oversampling rates 32fs, 64fs and 128fs. 32fs offers lowest distortion.
| DITHER - Dither switches the lowest bit randomly, thus encreasing openness and low level
linearity.
} SAMP. - These LEDs indicate incoming sampling frequency:
x1: 32, 44.1 or 48 kHz; x2: 88.2 or 96 kHz; x4: 176.4 or 192 kHz.
Tips and Hints
•DA53 has an integrated upsampler, a state of the art 24Bit/195kHz D/A-converter *) and a current
injection analog stage with LEF output for the backside analog output connectors. Whenever a balanced
XLR connection is available it is preferable to RCA.
• Use high quality cable for connection.
•
Digital signals connected to TOSLINK, COAX or AES/EBU can be transmitted to a computer by USB
1.1,
limited to 48 kHz input sampling frequency.
This function might be blocked by copy protection of your source, e.g. CD-Player!
• DA53 offers different settings for digital lter, oversampling and dither to make your own choice.
Recommended default: Set “Digital Filter” (DF) to “SOFT”, “DITHER” to “ON”, and “ΔΣfs“ to“32fs“
•To keep it clean use only a soft cloth and never use any solvents or abrasives. Dust and ngerprints
may be removed with a soft cloth moistened only with a few drops of water.
*) 195 kHz is not a printing error! We chose this frequency for internal operation to avoid intermodulation
with any incoming sample frequency.
Cautions Regarding Handling
Precautions for use
• Check that the operating voltage of your unit is identical with the voltage of
your local power supply. The internal power supply works from 100 up to 240
Volt AC, 50 or 60 Hz.
•Should any liquid or solid object fall into the cabinet, unplug the unit and have it
checked by qualied personnel before operating it any further.
•Sometimes in summer you have faults in your local power supply due to overloading.
Unplug the unit from the wall outlet when there is a thunderstorm.
This sign is intended to alert the user to disconnect the power cord from
the wall outlet in dangerous situations!
Allways unplug the power cord from wall outlet by grasping the plug.
Never pull the cord itself!
•Unplug the unit from the wall outlet if it is not to be used for an extended period of
time.
•Unplug the unit from the wall outlet before connecting other units or opening the
unit.
AC-Line
•If there is any break or cut in the AC-line cord, unplug it from the wall outlet and
replace it by a new one!
Location
•Do not install the unit in a location near heat sources such as radiators or air ducts,
or in a place subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust, mechanical vibration or
shock. Leave some space around this unit for heat dissipation, especially near the
heat sink on backside.
Condensation
•When this unit is brought into a warm room from previously cold surroundings or
when the room temperature rises sharply, condensation may form inside, and the
unit may not be able to attain its full performance. In cases like this, allow the unit
to stand for about an hour or raise the room temperature gradually.
THIS SIGN PROHIBITS DISASSEMBLING!
DO NOT OPEN! NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE!
Refer servicing to qualied service personnel!
Fuses
•
The fuses are inside of the unit and should be changed by qualied personnel only.
Caution
•Changes or modications to this equipment not expressly approved by CEC Co.Ltd.
for compliance will void the user’s warranty.
