Chord DAVE Instruction manual

Connecting the power to DAVE 5.0
Connecting a Hugo M Scaler or Blue MK II to DAVE 3.0
Connect the supplied mains IEC cable to the input of DAVE. Please
make sure none of your other devices are switched on at this point.
if you intend to use Hugo M Scaler or Blue MK II with DAVE , you should
use the Dual BNC cables provided to connect the two devices. You
must also now connect your inputs to the M Scaler and not DAVE.
OPT OUT
OPT OUT
S/PDIF
S/PDIF
DUAL BNC OUT
DUAL BNC OUT
Chord Electronics
DAVE | Quickstart Manual
The Pumphouse, Farleigh Lane, East Farleigh, Kent, ME16 9NB, United Kingdom
[e-mail]
chordelectronics.co.uk
Quickstart Manual
Introduction 1.0
Welcome to the DAVE Quickstart Guide. This shortened guide is
supplementary to the main manual which should be referred to for full
safety and operational information.
Please note, more information on any of these topics is listed within the
full manual found under the product page:
chordelectronics.co.uk/product/dave
Warranty 1.1
The DAVE comes with a comprehensive 5-year warranty. To activate
this warranty, please register your device via the Chord Electronics
website:
chordelectronics.co.uk/register-product
Connecting your source to DAVE 2.0
In order to use the DAVE, you must connect your source to any input
of the device. You can connect multiple sources if you wish and select
between them later from within the menu.
Please note that if you are using the USB input with a MAC/Linux
device you will not need a driver but if you are connecting a Windows
device it will need a driver from the DAVE section of our website:
chordelectronics.co.uk/product/dave
Input
To connect DAVE to a pre-amp or power amp, you should connect the
outputs of DAVE to the inputs of your pre-amp/power amp. WARNING:
PLEASE REFER TO SECTION 8.0 BEFORE PLAYBACK
Connecting a pre-amplifier/amplifier to DAVE 4.0
Outputs

Chord Electronics
DAVE | Quickstart Manual
The Pumphouse, Farleigh Lane, East Farleigh, Kent, ME16 9NB, United Kingdom
[e-mail]
chordelectronics.co.uk
Quickstart Manual
Switch on the DAVE 6.0
Once all inputs are connected you should not yet initiate playback.
Turn on the DAVE by pressing the power button on the rear panel, the
device will run its start-up sequence before it is ready to be used.
Selecting DAC, AMP or Heaphone mode 8.0
You will need to select between DAC or AMP mode depending on
your intended use. When changing settings it will take DAVE up to
15 seconds to activate, during which time the device will be non-
operational and produce no sound.
DAC MODE: This will set DAVE’s output to a fixed 3V (line level). During
use, DAVE must be used with a pre-amplifier capable of attenuating its
volume as its on-board volume control will no longer be operational.
AMP MODE: To use DAVE as a pre-amplifier, you must select ‘AMP’.
In this mode you can use the Volume control dial to set a preferred
volume level.
WARNING: Never select DAC mode if you do not have a means of attenuating the volume.
Permanent damage to your equipment and hearing can occur.
To select your input for playback, navigate to the input selection menu
on DAVE using the up and down buttons, then use the left and right
buttons to choose your input. For more in depth information on inputs
and the dierent features DAVE has to oer, please refer to the full
manual.
Selecting input 9.0
Dave has two decoding options specifically tailored for PCM or DSD
playback. You can play both PCM and DSD music using either mode,
but each one is specifically optimised for a particular format. In order
to cycle between each mode please highlight the segment, typically by
pressing the down button, and then either press the left or right button
for two seconds;
PCM+ - Use this for PCM playback up to 768KHz. DSD playback up
to DSD256 is also supported but it is decimated and not optimised in
this mode.
DSD+ - Use this for DSD64, 128, and 256 (single, dual and quad-speed)
playback. There is no decimation. PCM can still be played and this
mode is ideal for streaming video with audio as it has a lower delay.
Please note, after either decoding function, DAVE will mute for approx
20 seconds while the new program activates.
Selecting between DSD and PCM 10.0
Now that you have successfully completed the setup of your DAVE
you can immediately begin to experience its transformational quality
on your digital music collection. However, we advise that you register
your product with us. Registering helps us give you the best possible
support and protects your investment:
Product registration 11.0
chordelectronics.co.uk/register-product/
HEADPHONE MODE: When you insert a headphone jack, DAVE
automatically mutes the rear outputs and the volume control will only
work on the headphone output. Adjust the volume accordingly. When
you remove the headphone jack, DAVE unmutes the rear outputs, the
volume will revert back to the volume last used while in “Amp mode”
or will revert to line level if it was in “DAC mode”
DAVE has an enormous volume range, making it suitable for sensitive
IEMs, to be used as a standalone preamplifier, or for large circumaural
headphones.
Navigating the menu 7.0
During use, you may need to navigate DAVE’s menu, this is simple. To
scroll through the menu use the left and right buttons. To navigate
through the sub-menu options (and set your selection) use the up and
down buttons. Once you have landed on an appropriate option you do
not need to confirm a selection it will be automatically applied. Use
the volume control to turn the volume up and down as appropriate. All
settings will be remembered when the device is switched o.
WARNING: Only commence playback once you are certain that your settings are correct.
Failure to do this could result in permanent damage to connected equipment.