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
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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
3.4 The rear panel 14
3.5 The remote control 15
4.0 Setting up DAVE 16
4.1 Placement 17
4.2 Connecting your source to 18
DAVE
4.3 Connecting a BLU MK II or
Hugo M Scaler to DAVE 19
4.4 Connecting a preamplifier/
amplifier to DAVE 20
4.5 Powering DAVE 21
5.0 How to navigate the menus 22
5.1 The screen & navigating the menu 23
5.2 Sample rate 24
6.0 Playback modes 25
6.1 Playback modes 26
6.2 Headphone mode 27
6.3 Preamplification mode 28
6.4 DAC mode 29
7.0 Playback modes 30
7.1 DSD and PCM mode 31
7.2 Crossfeed 32
7.3 Settings memory & galvanic isolation 33
7.4 Display messages 34

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Manual
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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
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Introduction 1.1
DAVE is an incredibly
powerful and versatile
digital-to-analogue
convertor 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
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Protection against
liquids & heat
1.2
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
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 DAVE comes into contact
with moisture or liquids,
immediately disconnect from
the power supply and connected
equipment, and contact Chord
Electronics for further advice.
DAVE has internal
thermal protection
which will shut down
the unit in the event of excessive
temperatures being reached.
Never operate 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 DAVE in an area of direct
sunlight or on top of significant
heat-producing devices.
Please be aware that it is entirely
normal for DAVE to become
warm during use.
If you are concerned about the
temperatures, please switch the
device o 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
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There are no user-
serviceable components
within DAVE or its power
supply. Dangerous voltages/
currents exist within 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 DAVE develops a fault or the
casework becomes damaged,
immediately disconnect from
the 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, 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 DAVE away
from wireless routers.
2. Separate DAVE from
amplifiers using toroidal
transformers.
3. Operate mobile phones at
a distance to avoid
interference.
Although the unit is
largely shielded, it
can generate radio
frequency interference that
may have an eect on analogue
radio and television reception.
Please consider moving DAVE to
a dierent location should this
happen.

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Before connecting DAVE to any
third-party equipment, consult
the manufacturer’s user guide to
confirm compatibility.
When connecting DAVE to any
equipment, make sure that all
devices are o, including DAVE.
Once connected, switch all
equipment on starting with
the source and ending with the
amplification.
Initially, operate DAVE on its
lowest volume setting, gently
increasing to a comfortable
listening level.
Never operate DAVE at excessive
volume levels; permanent hearing
damage and/or loss can occur.
DAVE does not have internal
batteries and, therefore, must
be permanently connected to a
source of power.
The included 10-amp IEC power
cable plugs into DAVE.
Do not disconnect DAVE from
the power cable without first
switching the unit o to avoid
any damage.
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.
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2.1 Warranty period & registering your purchase
2.2 Making a claim & warranty exclusions
2.0 Warranty
Warranty 2.0
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2.1 Warranty period & registering
your purchase
2.2 Making a claim & warranty
exclusions
Warranty period & registering
your purchase
2.1
At point of sale, Chord
Electronics Ltd. provides DAVE
with a comprehensive five-year
warranty* which covers defects
in materials and workmanship
through fair wear and tear. The
warranty will be void if any other
PSU other than that supplied is
used.
*The warranty is transferable
with proof of purchase, however,
warranty on ex-demonstration
units begins from the retailer‘s
date of purchase.
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
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In the unlikely event of a claim,
your first point of contact should
be your supplying dealer. If
this is not possible, 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 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
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