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

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
3.1 Getting to know DAVE
3.2 The front panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
3.5 The remote control
3.0 Getting to know
DAVE
Getting to know
DAVE
3.0
11 // 32

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
The DAVE is an extraordinarily
powerful leading-edge DAC/
preamplifier/headphone
amplifier featuring multi-award-
winning FPGA technology.
To get the very most out of the
device for many years ahead, we
recommend familiarising yourself
with this user manual.
3.1 Getting to know DAVE
3.2 The front panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
3.5 The remote control
Getting to know DAVE 3.1
12 // 32

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
Whilst an IR remote control is
supplied, the front panel of the
DAVE is the main user interface
and can entirely control all user-
configurable options, inputs and
volume.
3.1 Getting to know DAVE
3.2 The front panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
3.5 The remote control
The front panel 3.2
13 // 32
Dave features a single
headphone output avaliable on
the front of the device. This can
accomodate headphones up to
800 Ωwithout the need for any
additional headphone amplifier.
LCD Screen
Volume dial and
confirmation button
IR remote control
receiver window
Cycle through menu
options
3.5mm headphone jack
Cycle through menu
options
Down through
menu
Up through
menu

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
The rear panel oers
comprehensive connectivity
suite, featuring both standard
connections and those which
are used with other Chord
Electronics’ devices.
When installing any cable, you
must make sure that they securly
click into place, especially the
optical input.
3.1 Getting to know DAVE
3.2 The front panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
3.5 The remote control
The rear panel 3.4
14 // 32
WARNING: Do not
use any other power
supply other than
that supplied. Doing so will
invalidate your warranty.
USB
digital input
4x DX Digital Output
Optical 2
digital input
AC Input
(90 - 250v AC)
Right XLR balanced
analogue output
Right Unbalanced
RCA output Left Unbalanced
RCA output
Left XLR balanced
analogue output
Optical 1
digital input
BNC 2 COAX
Digital input
BNC 1 COAX
Digital input
AES Balanced
XLR Digital input
BNC 4 COAX
Digital input
BNC 3 COAX
Digital input

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
For convenience, a branded
infra-red remote control is
included with DAVE.
The remote will operate up to a
distance of 10 metres with clear
line-of-sight to the infra-red
receiver within DAVE, which is
located below the lLCD screen.
For best operation, do not
operate the DAVE within a
cabinet or place other materials/
devices on top of the device.
Selecting optical input via
remote: A single press of the OPT
button will select the previously
selected optical input. A longer
press of 3-seconds will switch to
the next optical input.
3.1 Getting to know DAVE
3.2 The front panel
3.3 The top panel
3.4 The rear panel
3.5 The remote control
The remote control 3.5
15 // 32
NOTE: Please only
insert AAA batteries
into the IR remote
control and observe the
correct orientation as
indicated within the remote
control. Failure to do so
could result in non-operation
or battery leakage.
On/o
Select USB
input
Select optical
input (press and hold)
Select BNC
coax 2 input
Increase volume
Mute playback
Increase volume
Cycle through
filter type
Select Bluetooth
input
Cycle through
crossfeed
Select BNC
coax 1 input
Cycle through
LED brightness

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting DAVE to equipment
& DAVE power-on sequence
4.3 Powering on DAVE
4.0 Setting up
DAVE
Setting up
DAVE
4.0
16 // 32

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
Whilst the DAVE will operate
normally on top of a rack or side
table. It is recommended that the
device is allowed to
‘breathe’.
Allocating 10cm of space around
it to convection-cool during
operation is advised.
As the infra-red remote control
requires a direct line of sight to
the viewing portal, avoid
placing objects on top
of the DAVE or placing it
within enclosures.
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting DAVE
to equipment & power-on
sequence
4.3 Powering on DAVE
Placement 4.1
17 // 32

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
When connecting the DAVE to
equipment please ensure all
devices are switched o.
It is recommended that once
all equipment is properly
connected, that the volume
setting is operated to its lowest
setting.
Then slowly begin raising to
a comfortable listening level,
always observing partnering
manufacturers’ guidelines.
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting DAVE
to equipment & power-on
sequence
4.3 Powering on DAVE
Connecting an input to DAVE &
input selection
4.2
18 // 32

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
POWER ON SEQUENCE:
To turn on DAVE,
localise the large power
button on the back of the device.
It may take 15 secounds for DAVE
to complete a safety check.
During this stage music playback
will not be possible.
4.1 Placement
4.2 Connecting DAVE
to equipment & power-on
sequence
4.3 Powering on DAVE
Powering on DAVE 4.3
19 // 32
During this period,
do not initiate music
playback.
NOTE:DAVE does
not have a standby
function.

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
_
5.1 The screen & navigating the menu
5.2 Sample rate
5.0 How to navigate
the menus
How to navigate the menus 5.0
20 // 32