Canever ZeroUno DAC-HPA User manual

ZeroUno DAC-HPA
DAC & High Power Digital Preamplifier & HEADPHONE amplifier
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
®

DAC & High Power Digital preamplifier & Headphone Amplifier ZeroUno DAC-HPA Operating Instructions
®
ZeroUno DAC-HPA page 2
FRONT and REAR view
 ON/OFF (on the downside)
 HEADPHONE outputs (30 to 600 Ohms)
SETUP button (if pressed for at least 2 sec) or
RESTORE button (if pressed for more than 10 sec)

Status LED
 LCD Display
 INFRARED RECEIVER - do not cover
 INPUT SELECTOR button
 VOLUME/PARAMETER knob
 VENT DOOR – DO NOT COVER
S/PDIF 75Ω RCA input (BNC optional)
 AES/EBU 110Ω XLR input (BNC optional)
 USB AUDIO 2.0 input
 OPTICAL input
 Raw DAC Outputs - Left & Right Unbalanced
 Powered Outputs - Left & Right Unbalanced RCA
Output Level 0dB ÷ +24dB adjustable

230Vac (110Vac in alternative) IEC socket

DAC & High Power Digital preamplifier & Headphone Amplifier ZeroUno DAC-HPA Operating Instructions
®
ZeroUno DAC-HPA page 3
ON /OFF
The ON/OFF Switch is located at the lower left side on the
downside in the BOTTOM PLATE.
VOLUME
In PLAY mode turning the knob on the right side clockwise or
counter clockwise changes the VOLUME (up/down) in steps of
1 dB.
While rotating the volume knob, the volume level is shown at
the display.
Volume range is -70dB ÷ 0dB.
LEVEL ADJUST
DIRECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENT
While in PLAY mode, to adjust the level:
 Press the INPUT button and keep it pressed.
 Then rotate the VOLUME knob left or right to adjust the
LEVEL between 0dBu and +24dB.
 The level adjustment is shown at the display.
 It is convenient an indication of 0dB VOLUME at the
maximum wanted listening level.
INPUT BUTTON
Press the INPUT button to switch from one input to another in
the following order:
 RCA SPDIF
 XLR AES/EBU SPDIF
 OPTICAL SPDIF
 USB (i2S or DoP with auto detection)
The de-emphasis filter will be automatically activated if the
signal at the input was recorded with emphasis.
DISPLAY
NOLOCK.USBOOOOOOO.
Volume.:.-20dB..MUTE
Balance:.R0.5.PHASE+
INPUT..:.USB
In PLAY mode the display reports the status
of the ZeroUno DAC:
 The first row at the display shows the LOCK on the in
coming
signal.
 The second row shows the VOLUME (really the attenuation)
in dB.
 The third row shows the BALANCE and the ABSOLUTE
PHASE.
 The fourth row shows the active INPUT.
Once MUTE is displayed,
there is no signal locked at the
selected INPUT and the ZeroUno DAC has
switched
to MUTE.

DAC & High Power Digital preamplifier & Headphone Amplifier ZeroUno DAC-HPA Operating Instructions
®
ZeroUno DAC-HPA page 4
INFRARED REMOTE CONTROL
Button
Value
Balance
Left to Right in steps of 0.5dB each. Range is 0-5dB
Volume
Up and Down steps of 1.0dB. Range is -60dB to 0dB
Phase
Absolute Polarity < toggle > Inverse Absolute Polarity
Mute
Mute < toggle > Play
Input
Skip to the following active INPUT
How to pair the remote control (RC):
The RC coming with each ZeroUno DAC has been paired to the unit already
in the factory by selecting one of 256 possible pairing codes.
The remote control’s code can be changed at any time if it interferes with
other electronics in the household.
If you need the pair the remote control and the ZeroUno DAC do the
following:
Move the RC in front of the ZeroUno DAC (about 1 meter).
 To start the pairing process, push at least one button on the RC
right in front of the IR receiver to transmit the code of the individual
RC.
 Enter in in SETUP mode by pressing the SETUP button for at least
2 seconds and less than 10 seconds.
 When in SETUP Mode, keep the INPUT button pressed.
 Keep the INPUT button pressed and press the SETUP button again
 Release both buttons (INPUT & SETUP) and the RC is paired.
If there is still interference with other RC´s in the household, please restart the process above described to
generate another code.
NOTE: Each time the RC communicates with the ZeroUno DAC, a dot appears at the lower-right corner
of the display. If this dot does not appear, check the battery inside the RC (battery type: CR2032B)
SETUP
Press the SETUP button for at least 2 seconds and LESS
than 10 seconds to enter SETUP Mode.
The value of each parameter is visible on the display.
Press the SETUP button again to skip to the next parameter.
Rotate the right volume knob to change the parameter
values.
If no button is pressed, or the right knob is not turned within 10
seconds, the ZeroUno DAC automatically stores the values
shown at the display and switches back to the PLAY/MUTE
mode.
All selected parameters are stored in a non-volatile memory,
to keep the setup information after the unit is switched off.

DAC & High Power Digital preamplifier & Headphone Amplifier ZeroUno DAC-HPA Operating Instructions
®
ZeroUno DAC-HPA page 5
To get instant feedback about the ZeroUno DAC status, every time a button is pressed at the RC, the display
shows the value in large digits for 5 seconds.
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When the VOLUME buttons are pressed, the attenuation changes in
steps of 1.0dB.
The range is -60dB to 0dB.
If the key is pressed constantly, the attenuation changes quickly.
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When the BALANCE buttons are pressed, the balance changes in
steps of 0.5dB.
The range is LEFT -5.0dB to RIGHT +5.0dB.
The first row of the display reports a bar showing the position of the
balance value in the range of -5.0dB to 5.0dB.
When the balance is set to 0.0dB the display clearly shows the
condition.
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When the MUTE button is pressed, the ZeroUno DAC is muted and the
display never switches back to the standard size view until the MUTE
key is pressed again.
After the MUTE button is pressed again, the ZeroUno DAC is un-muted.
The display returns to normal operation.
LOCK.DSD.11.2.MHz
Volume.:.-20dB
Balance:.R0.5.PHASE+
INPUT..:.USB
LOCK.SPDIF.44.1.MHz
Volume.:.-20dB
Balance:.R0.5.PHASE+
INPUT..:.RCA
LOCK.SPDIF.96.0.MHz
Volume.:.-20dB
Balance:.R0.5.PHASE+
INPUT..:.XLR
When the INPUT button is pressed, the ZeroUno DAC switches between
the INPUTs.
In the last row of the display the selected INPUT is shown.

DAC & High Power Digital preamplifier & Headphone Amplifier ZeroUno DAC-HPA Operating Instructions
®
ZeroUno DAC-HPA page 6
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When the MENU key is pressed, the value switches between absolute
polarity listening (PHASE+) and inverse absolute polarity listening
(PHASE-).
NOTE: During the mastering and production process, the absolute
polarity of the music program changes many times. The final
digital master file can be stored in inverted polarity. Some
listeners are very sensitive to this, so the ZeroUno DAC gives
the customer the option to change the absolute polarity of
the music file by pushing the MENU button at the remote
control.
If no button is pressed within 10 seconds, the ZeroUno DAC automatically
stores the values shown at the display and switches back to the
PLAY/MUTE mode.
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When there is a change in the sampling rate of the incoming music file
the locked frequency is shown in big digits.
The function of the BIG SAMPLING RATE parameter can be toggled
on and off.
RESTORE OF FACTORY SETTINGS
The
ZeroUno
DAC is completely configured by the factory for top
performance.
To RESTORE the factory setup, press the SETUP button at the front
panel of the ZeroUno DAC for at least 10 seconds.
The ZeroUno DAC will RESTORE, including set parameter when the
SETUP button is released.
A countdown will appear on the second row of the display, when the
ZeroUno DAC has engaged the RESTORE command.
Once engaged, it is not possible to stop the RESTORE command.

DAC & High Power Digital preamplifier & Headphone Amplifier ZeroUno DAC-HPA Operating Instructions
®
ZeroUno DAC-HPA page 7
PARAMETERs SETUP
To enter the PARAMETERs SETUP mode, press the SETUP button for at least 2 seconds, but less than 10
seconds.
Press the SETUP button again to skip from one parameter to the next.
LEVEL ADJUST
1.sec.to.EXIT&STORE
SETUP:Level.Adjust
......-1.5dB
Display example
LEVEL ADJUST
Turning the volume knob to change the ATTENUATION for the
specific INPUT, only.
Initial value is 0.0dB (no attenuation).
ISPLAY
After 10 seconds without interaction at the right knob, the display returns to normal
operation and the parameter is stored.
The countdown on the first row helps to control the time left.
SELECT INPUT
9.sec.to.EXIT&STORE
SETUP:Select.INPUT
......Optic..YES
Display example
MUTE of unused INPUTS
Press the INPUT button to select & configure the INPUT.
Turn the VOLUME knob to select if this INPUT is in use or not.
You will see “YES” or “NO” on the display.
ISPLAY
After 10 seconds without interaction at the right knob, the display returns to normal
operation and the parameter is stored.
The countdown on the first row helps to control the time left.
PHASE SETUP
5.sec.to.EXIT&STORE
SETUP:PHASE
>.Absolute.Polarity
Display example
ABSOLUTE POLARITY (PHASE)
Turn the volume knob to toggle the listening polarity: absolute
polarity versus inverted absolute polarity.
After 10 seconds without interaction at the right knob, the display returns to normal
operation and the parameter is stored.
The countdown on the first row helps to control the time left.
BALANCE SETUP
7.sec.to.EXIT&STORE
SETUP:BALANCE
>bbbbbRIGHTb1.5dB
Display example
BALANCE
Turn the volume knob to change the the BALANCE value.
The BALANCE value ranges from 5.0dB left to 5.0dB right in steps
of 0.5dB.
DISPLAY
After 10 seconds without interaction at the right knob, the display returns to normal
operation and the parameter is stored.
The countdown on the first row helps to control the time left.
LCD DIMMER
9.sec.to.EXIT&STORE
SETUP:sec.LCD.ON
>bbbbb30.sec
Display example
LCD DIMMER
Turn the volume knob to change the displays ON time.
The timer settings are: 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 seconds. It can also
be set to always on.
DISPLAY
After 10 seconds without interaction at the right knob, the display returns to normal
operation and the parameter is stored.
The countdown on the first row helps to control the time left.
LCD
BRIGHTNESS
8.sec.to.EXIT&STORE
SETUP:brightness
>bbbbb90%
Display example
LCD BRIGHTNESS
Turn the volume knob to change the display brightness.
The brightness values are: 50, 60, 70, 90 and 100 %.
DISPLAY
After 10 seconds without interaction at the right knob, the display returns to normal
operation and the parameter is stored.
The countdown on the first row helps to control the time left.
SAMPLING RATE
4.sec.to.EXIT&STORE
SETUP:SAMPLING.RATE
Show.changes.in.BIG
Display example
SAMPLING RATE changes in BIG digits
Turn the right volume knob to set the display to show the sampling
rate of the music file playing. You can select between: “Show
changes in BIG” or “Do not show BIG digit.”
ISPLAY
After 10 seconds without interaction at the right knob, the display returns to normal
operation and the parameter is stored.
The countdown on the first row helps to control the time left.

DAC & High Power Digital preamplifier & Headphone Amplifier ZeroUno DAC-HPA Operating Instructions
®
ZeroUno DAC-HPA page 8
Technical data
 The circuit of the ZeroUno DAC-HPA is based on the ESS SABRE32 ES9018S DAC chip plus a proprietary hybrid filter design and
encapsulation against external noises.
 For optimum performance the SABRE chip runs on a proprietary implementation of special developed firmware
 One motherboard is based on a four-layer PCB with extra thick copper traces to achieve ultra-short signal paths with minimal
wiring to avoid electromagnetic induction of noise and to insure perfect grounding
 Discrete power supplies built for the digital and the analogue sections using six toroidal transformers - the last generation of
ultra-low noise rectifier diodes and high quality – low noise regulators
 Audio-grade resistors and capacitors
 Comprehensive noise regulation for all digital circuits
 Jitter free operation by patented high performance algorithm
 Integrated 32 bits volume control with a residual noise below -130dB for the best performances even at very low output levels
 On board output level setup to match different sensitivity levels of the direct connects power amplifies
 Voltage-compensated, ultra-low phase noise and low jitter crystal oscillators (clock) acts as master clock
 Two separated clocks for sampling families of 44.1, 88.2, 176.4, 352.8 kHz and 48, 96, 192, 384 kHz
 DAC output stage with the shortest possible signal path based on custom made amorphous audio transformers produced by
Lundahl, with first order discrete analogue filter for the best THD and digital noise suppression
 True Class A discrete built analog output stage with zero negative global feedback
 Separately powered USB chip by a “quasi battery power supply” to avoid any distortion induced by the connected computer
(no connection to the +5V powerline of the USB cable)
 USB input based on XMOS xCore audio chip with bit perfect transfer for 16bit, 24bit or 32bit data in PCM format up to 384
kHz, including support for native DSD/DoP and MQA.
 4 Digital-Inputs: 1x USB 2.0; 1x true S/PDIF 75 Ohm BNC or true AES/EBU 110Ohm XLR; 1x S/PDIF RCA; 1x S/PDIF optical
 USB input compatible with following audio formats via PC and MAC:
- PCM: 44.1; 48; 88.2; 96; 176.4; 192; 352.8 and 384 kHz up to 32 bits
- DSD (DoP): 2.822 MHz / DSD64, 3.072 MHz, 5.644 MHz / DSD128
- MQA all formats
 SPDIF inputs (AES/EBU, BNC, RCA) compatible with PCM signals from 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, up to 24 bits. The
optical input accepts music files with a resolution up to 24/96 kHz
 LCD Display with variable brightness and letter size for better reading from listening position
 Infrared remote control with direct function keys for volume, balance, absolute polarity, mute and input channel
 No drivers required for LINUX or MAC OSx
USB Audio 2.0 driver available for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10
 Gain = 26dB (x20);
 Zout < 1 ohm;
 Vo max = ±17V (24dBu)
 Pre-gain between 0dB to +24dB in step of 1dB
 Pout = 2.5Wrms onto 30ohm
 Headphone load within 30 to 600 ohm
 Power amplifier input impedance ≥ 600ohm

Distortion with 1KHz, 1Vrms, into 30ohm load: 2nd harmonic below -102db; 3rd harmonic below -100dB
4th harmonic below -125dB; 5th harmonic below -120dB
The Specifications in this document are subject to change without notice.
®
Canever Ing. Mario Panfilo Castaldi 6 30020 Noventa di Piave Venice - Italy
ph. [phone] mail [e-mail] web www.canever.eu
Copyright © 2015-2019 Canever Ing. Mario - All rights reserved
USE FRONT LED
2.sec.to.EXIT&STORE
SETUP:Use.front.LED
......YES
Display example
STATUS LED
RED non MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) track is playing
BLUE MQA studio track is playing
GREEN MQA track is playing
Turn the volume knob to choose, if you want to turn on the
STATUS LED at all.
After 10 seconds without interaction at the right knob, the display returns to normal
operation and the parameter is stored.
The countdown on the first row helps to control the time left.
NAME
6.sec.to.EXIT&STORE
SETUP:NAME.4USB
......STREAMER
Display example
RENAME of INPUTS
Turn the volume knob to change the NAME of an specific INPUT.
The following names are available: USB, OPTIC, AES/EBU,
SPDIF, STREAMER, PC, CD, DVD, SAT, DAT and MD.
ISPLAY
After 10 seconds without interaction at the right knob, the display returns to normal
operation and the parameter is stored.
The countdown on the first row helps to control the time left.