Chord DAVE User manual

Chord Electronics
Product Communication | English
The Pumphouse, Farleigh Lane, East Farleigh, Kent, ME16 9NB. Great Britain.
[phone]
[e-mail]
chordelectronics.co.uk
DAVE
Manual
-
V.1.0

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
2 // 32
Contents 0.0
1.0 Safety instructions 03
1.1 Introduction 04
1.2 Protection against liquids & heat 05
1.3 Dismantling & Radio 06
Frequency interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment 07
2.0 Warranty 08
2.1 Warranty period & registering 09
your purchase
2.2 Making a claim & warranty exclusions 10
0.0 Contents
3.0 Getting to know DAVE 11
3.1 Getting to know DAVE 12
3.2 The front panel 13
3.3 The top panel 14
3.4 The rear panel 15
3.5 The remote control 16
4.0 Setting up DAVE 17
4.1 Placement 18
4.2 Connecting DAVE to equipment 19
& DAVE power-on sequence
5.0 How to navigate the menus 20
5.1 The screen & navigating the menu 21
5.2 Sample rate 22
6.0 Playback modes 23
6.1 Playback modes 24
6.2 Headphone mode 25
6.3 Amplification mode 26
6.4 DAC mode 27
7.0 Playback modes 28
7.1 Crossfeed 29
7.2 Settings memory & galvanic isolation 30
7.3 Display messages 31

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against liquids & heat
1.3 Dismantling & Radio Frequency interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment
1.0 Safety
instructions
Safety instructions 1.0
3 // 32

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
4 // 32
Introduction 1.1
The DAVE is an
incredibly powerful
and versatile digital-to-
analogue convert preamplifier
and headphone amplifier.
Before operation, we strongly
advise you read this User Manual
thoroughly.
We also recommend that you
store this User Manual, along with
your original receipt of purchase,
in a safe place should you require
assistance in the future.
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against
liquids & heat
1.3 Dismantling & radio frequency
interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
Protection against
liquids & heat
1.2
The DAVE is not
protected against liquids
of any kind. Never place
containers of liquid on DAVE.
Never allow DAVE to come
into contact with moisture or
liquids; doing so could result in
electrocution or damage to the
DAVE’s internal circuitry.
Be aware that liquids, including
water that has dried, can leave
minerals that can aect the
PCB and other components,
which could eventually lead to
oxidisation and short-circuiting.
If the DAVE comes into contact
with moisture or liquids,
immediately disconnect from
the mains power supply, and
connected equipment, and
contact Chord Electronics for
further advice.
The DAVE has internal
thermal protection
which will shut down
the unit in the event of excessive
temperatures being reached.
Never operate the DAVE near
sources of heat or naked flames
as this will decrease the lifespan
of the internal components.
It is advised that you do not
operate the DAVE in an area
of direct sunlight or on top of
significant heat- producing
devices.
Please be aware that it is entirely
normal for the DAVE to become
warm during use, particularly
within a stacked configuration.
If you are concerned about the
temperatures, please switch
the device o using the front
panel or consider a dierent
placement.
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against
liquids & heat
1.3 Dismantling & radio frequency
interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment
5 // 32

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
6 // 32
There are no user-
serviceable components
within the DAVE or
its power supply. Dangerous
voltages/currents exist within
the DAVE and its power
supply, posing a severe risk of
electrocution and/or fire.
Never attempt to
open, dismantle or
apply internal third-
party devices to it or insert
anything other than the listed
interconnects or headphone
adapters within this user manual.
If the DAVE develops a fault or
the casework becomes damaged,
immediately disconnect from
the mains power supply and
connected equipment, and
contact Chord Electronics for
further advice.
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against
liquids & heat
1.3 Dismantling & radio frequency
interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment
Dismantling & radio
frequency interference
1.3
With a thick, solid aluminium
chassis, the DAVE’s casework
largely protects the sensitive
internal circuitry from radio
frequency interference. However,
for optimal performance, it is
recommended that the following
points are observed:
1. Consider placing the DAVE
away from wireless
routers.
2. Separate the DAVE from
amplifiers using toroidal
transformers.
3. Operate mobile phones at
a distance to avoid
interference.
Although the DAVE
is largely shielded, it
can generate radio
frequency interference that
may have an eect on radio
and television reception. If this
occurs, please reconsider your
placement.

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
Before connecting the DAVE
to any equipment, consult the
manufacturer’s user guide to
confirm compatibility.
When connecting the DAVE to
any equipment, make sure that
all devices are o, including the
DAVE.
Once connected, switch all
equipment on starting with
the source and ending with the
amplification.
Initially, operate the DAVE on its
lowest volume setting, gently
increasing to a comfortable
listening level.
Never operate the DAVE
at excessive sound levels;
permanent hearing damage and
loss can occur.
The DAVE does not have internal
batteries and, therefore, must
be permanently connected to a
source of power.
The 10A IEC mains lead simply
plugs into the DAVE.
If the power supply is
prematurely disconnected DAVE
may still remain active for up to
15 seconds, however, this may
cause damage to connected
equipment.
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Protection against
liquids & heat
1.3 Dismantling & radio frequency
interference
1.4 Connecting your equipment
Connecting your equipment 1.4
Never disconnect the
power cable during
operation. Only
disconnect when DAVE
is o. If the power cable
is disconnected during
operation there is a risk
of damage to connected
equipment.
7 // 32

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
2.1 Warranty period & registering your purchase
2.2 Making a claim & warranty exclusions
2.0 Warranty
Warranty 2.0
8 // 32

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
9 // 32
2.1 Warranty period & registering
your purchase
2.2 Making a claim & warranty
exclusions
Warranty period & registering
your purchase
2.1
At the point of sale, Chord
Electronics Ltd. provides the
DAVE with a comprehensive
three-year warranty*, which
covers defects in materials and
workmanship through fair wear
and tear.
*The warranty is transferable
with proof of purchase, however
is not available on
ex-demonstration products.
Please use the form
below to record the
details of your purchase
in the event that these are
required at a later date, we
further advise that all purchases
are registered with Chord
Electronics at: chordelectronics.
co.uk/register-product/
RETAILER:
PURCHASE PRICE:
UNIT COLOUR:
DATE OF PURCHASE:
TRANSACTION ID:

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
In the unlikely event of a
claim, you must provide Chord
Electronics with the details of
the claim, including your original
proof of purchase and serial
number in order to validate the
nature of the repair.
Upon receipt, Chord Electronics
will make an assessment within
30 days and provide a reasonable
solution.
All warranty repairs must be
carried out by Chord Electronics
or an approved service centre to
guarantee the quality and safety
of the repair.
WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS: The
warranty does not cover connected
equipment, personal injury or
development of a natural patina of
the metalwork and will be null and
void if the following is applied: wilful
neglect; modification or tampering
of the product; improper use of the
product; acts of God; damage caused
by a connected device; mechanical
shock; fire or application of excessive
heat or repair/modification by a non-
authorised third-party vendor.
2.1 Warranty period & registering
your purchase
2.2 Making a claim & warranty
exclusions
Making a claim
& warranty exclusions
2.2
10 // 32