Data Conversion Systems DCS VIVALDI DAC User manual

dCS Vivaldi DAC
Stereo Digital to Analogue Converter
User Manual
Software Release 1.0x
August 2012
© Data Conversion Systems Ltd. 2012 Price UK £8.00 / Euro 12.00
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise)
without the prior written permission of dCS1. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this
publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice, and whilst it is checked for accuracy, no
liabilities can be accepted for errors.
1dCS is Data Conversion Systems Ltd. Company registered in England No. 2072115.

dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x
August 2012
Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx Page 2 English version

dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x
August 2012
Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx Page 3 English version
Contents
Using the dCS Vivaldi DAC for the first time ........................................................................................4
What’s in the box? 4
Positioning the unit 4
Safety Notice 5
Step-by-Step Guide ...............................................................................................................................6
Preliminaries 6
Fitting the Remote Control handset batteries 7
STEP 1 – Connecting a PCM Input 8
Connecting to a Dual AES Source 8
Connecting to a Single AES or SPDIF source 9
Connecting to an SDIF/DSD Source 9
STEP 2 – Setting up the USB source 10
Connecting the USB interface 10
Loading the Windows driver for USB Class 2 11
A word about Music Playing Software 11
Selecting the Vivaldi DAC as your Audio Output device 11
STEP 3 – Connecting the Analogue Outputs 12
STEP 4 - Setting the Output Level 12
STEP 5 – Choosing a Sync Mode 13
Using the DAC in Master Mode 13
Using a Master Clock in a CD/SACD system 14
A full Vivaldi system 15
Advanced options 17
Customising the input configuration 17
Front Panel...........................................................................................................................................18
Remote Control Receiver 18
Display 18
Power Button 19
Menu Button 19
Filter Button 19
Input button 20
Mute Button 20
Rotary Control 20
Rear Panel ............................................................................................................................................21
Analogue Outputs 21
AES Digital Inputs 21
SPDIF Digital Inputs 22
SDIF Digital Interface 22
USB Interface 22
Word Clock Inputs and Output 22
Test interface 23
Mains inlet 23
Label 23
Remote Control....................................................................................................................................24
The Menu..............................................................................................................................................25
Using the Menu 26
INFORMATION Menu 27
SETTINGS Menu 28
DISPLAY SETTINGS Menu 31
GENERATOR Menu 31
Specification ........................................................................................................................................32
Maintenance and Support...................................................................................................................34
Service and Maintenance 34
Replacing a Blown Mains Fuse 34
Cleaning the case 34
Limited Warranty 35
If you need more help 36
Software History 36

dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x
August 2012
Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx Page 4 English version
USING THE dCS Vivaldi DAC FOR THE FIRST TIME
Congratulations on purchasing your dCS Vivaldi DAC.
Before using your unit, please read this section and the Step by Step Guide. This will enable you to
set the unit up quickly and safely with your hi-fi system.
From time to time, dCS will release updated software on CD that you can install yourself using the
Update feature. Please check our web-site occasionally to see if new Vivaldi DAC software is
available, or consult your dealer.
What’s in the box?
Check that the box contains the following items:
•dCS Vivaldi DAC
•Manual and Menu / Setup Guide
•Power cable
•2 AES/EBU cables
•BNC cable
•USB cable
•dCS USB Class 2 driver disc
•2 spare fuses
•dCS Premium Remote Control Handset with 2x AAA batteries
Notify your dealer as soon as possible if anything is missing or damaged. We suggest that you retain
the original packaging for possible future use. If this is not possible, replacement packaging can be
ordered from dCS or our distributors. Details can be found on our web site at www.dcsltd.co.uk.
A programmable Nevo Q50 colour touch screen remote control configured for Vivaldi is available as
an optional extra.
Positioning the unit
For best sound quality, the units in the Vivaldi range are designed to be mounted on separate shelves
of a rack, although they may be stacked directly on top of each other if this is absolutely necessary.
Place each unit on a firm, vibration free base, allowing convenient connection to the other parts of
your system. To prevent overheating, we recommend that you leave some free space around the unit
to allow for ventilation.
The unit is supplied with 4 feet fitted. If you prefer a 3-feet layout, unscrew the two back feet, remove
the two black cores using a 2.5mm A/F Allen key, fit one of the cores in the middle position and
replace the foot. Take care not to cross-thread the foot!
With all feet screwed fully home, the unit will sit level on a flat surface. If you need to do
any levelling, you can unscrew any of the feet up to 3 complete turns, to give up to 3mm
(1/8”) of height adjustment.

dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x
August 2012
Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx Page 5 English version
Safety Notice
Your dCS Vivaldi DAC contains no user serviceable parts. DO NOT attempt to open the
case as there are potentially dangerous voltages present inside. In the event of the unit
developing a fault, please contact your dealer in the first instance.
To maintain protection from electric shock, the unit MUST be connected to mains earth
(ground) via the power cable. Also, unearthed systems do not give the best sonic
performance.
This product is lead-free and complies with the RoHS directive.
Before connecting the power cable to the unit for the first time, please check that it has been set to the
correct operating voltage for your mains supply. The unit’s voltage setting is shown on the serial
number label. If this does not match your local supply voltage, DO NOT attempt to use the unit.
Contact your dealer to have the unit reset. Using the unit with the wrong mains setting for your local
supply may result in serious damage to the unit and will invalidate the warranty. Do not attempt to
reset the voltage yourself.
We do not recommend the use of mains regenerators. However, if you do wish to use a mains
regenerator with variable voltage and frequency, we recommend that you set the voltage to match
your local voltage and the frequency to either 50Hz or 60Hz ONLY.
!
Damage caused to your Vivaldi DAC by misuse of a mains regenerator or by a
malfunctioning mains regenerator is not covered by the warranty.
Disposal at end-of-life: the symbol indicates that this product should not be treated as
normal household waste. It should be recycled, so please take it to an approved
collection facility.

dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x
August 2012
Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx Page 6 English version
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
This section guides you through setting up the unit for basic operation.
Preliminaries
The Menu / Setup Guide sheet details the menu structure and details the two most common set-ups.
For digital interfaces, use with cables designed for digital audio:
•for AES/EBU interfaces use 110Ωscreened, twisted pair cables fitted with one male XLR
connector and one female XLR connector.
•for SDIF, Word Clock or SPDIF BNC interfaces, use 75Ωcoax cables fitted with BNC plugs.
!
SDIF and Word Clock interfaces require a simple DC-coupled connection. The interfaces
may malfunction or not work at all if capacitor coupled cables or cables with built-in
networks are used.
•for SPDIF RCA interfaces, use 75Ωcoax cables fitted with RCA Phono plugs.
•for TOSLINK optical interfaces, use Toslink fibre-optic cables.
•for the USB interface, use a standard USB2.0 cable fitted with one type A and one type B
connector. The internal screen must be connected at both ends.
For analogue outputs, use with screened cables of the correct type:
•for balanced outputs, use screened, twisted pair cables fitted with one male XLR connector and
one female XLR connector.
•for unbalanced outputs, use coax cables fitted with RCA Phono plugs.
Connect the power cable to the power inlet on the DAC rear panel, plug the other end into a
convenient power outlet.
!
Please do not use an excessively heavy or inflexible power cable as this may damage
the power inlet connector.
The cables supplied with the unit are “commercial grade”, because most owners will
have their own “audiophile grade” cables or will prefer to make their own cable choices.
Press the Power button – the unit will display Vivaldi DAC. Wait about 30 seconds while the DAC
configures itself.
If the unit is likely to be set in an unfamiliar state, you can run the Factory Reset routine by pressing
the buttons in this sequence: Menu, ►, Menu, ◄, Menu.
Wait a few seconds while the unit resets itself.

dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x
August 2012
Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx Page 7 English version
Fitting the Remote Control handset batteries
Use a small coin to
release the screw
securing the back
plate.
Lift the screw a
little and slide the
back plate off.
Fit 2 AA size batteries by pressing
the flat end (-) against the spring
and pressing the battery into the
slot, so that the + end makes
contact with the stud.
Slide the back
plate into place and
tighten the screw.
If the remote control does not appear to work after fitting the batteries, make sure that the batteries are
fitted the correct way, as shown above. If in doubt, please ask your dealer for advice.
!
Failure to fit the batteries correctly can damage your Remote Control. Such damage is
not covered by the warranty.
Please dispose of used batteries properly at a waste disposal site, not in the household
waste.

dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x
August 2012
Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx Page 8 English version
STEP 1 – Connecting a PCM Input
If you want to use the USB input only, go to Step 2.
Switch on the source equipment. If appropriate, load a disk / tape and set the machine in PLAY mode
to ensure it is generating a digital audio data stream.
Choose one or more of the following sections:
Connecting to a Dual AES Source
•Check that your source equipment (probably a dCS SACD Transport or a dCS Upsampler) is
capable of Dual AES operation and is set up correctly.
•Connect the AES1 (or AES A) output on your source equipment to the AES1 input on the DAC rear
panel and the AES2 (or AES B) output to the AES2 input, using two XLR cables. Ensure the cables
are not swapped.
•Press the Input button repeatedly until AES1+2 is displayed.
Analogue outputs
To Amplifier Figure 1 – Using the Vivaldi Transport with the DAC
The DAC will lock to the source, displaying 24/352.8 for example, if the source is generating 24 bit
data at 352.8kS/s.
The Vivaldi DAC has a second Dual AES input on AES3 and AES4. You can connect a second Dual
AES source to these inputs and use the Input button to select AES3+4.
The most common set-up is to connect a Vivaldi Transport to AES1+2 and a Vivaldi Upsampler to
AES3+4.

dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x
August 2012
Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx Page 9 English version
Connecting to a Single AES or SPDIF source
Most source equipment (such as CD transports, DVD players) is fitted with a single wire digital output,
usually on an RCA phono connector.
•Connect your source equipment to the matching input on the DAC rear panel using a suitable
cable.
•Press the Input button repeatedly until your chosen input is displayed. This will be either AES1,
AES2, AES3, AES4, SPDIF1 (RCA), SPDIF2 (RCA), SPDIF3 (BNC), or Toslink.
The DAC will lock to the source, displaying 16/44.1 for example, if the source is a CD player.
Connecting to an SDIF/DSD Source
Check that your source equipment is capable of SDIF PCM or DSD operation.
!
SDIF (Sony Digital InterFace) is not the same as SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital InterFace)
and the two are not compatible.
Please ensure that you connect to the correct BNC sockets.
•Connect the CH1 output on your source equipment to the CH1 input on the DAC rear panel and the
CH2 output to the CH2 input, using two BNC cables. Connect the word clock output on your source
equipment to the Word Clock In1 connector on the DAC rear panel.
•Ensure the cables are not swapped.
•Press the Input button repeatedly until SDIF-2 appears on the display.
PCM or DSD mode is automatically detected. The DAC will lock to the source, displaying 16/44.1 for
example, if the source is a CD player. DSD is displayed if the source is sending DSD data.

dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 1.0x
August 2012
Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx Page 10 English version
STEP 2 – Setting up the USB source
If you do not want to use a USB source, go to STEP 3.
Connecting the USB interface
The USB interface can be connected to Windows™ 7 or Windows™ Vista (SP2 or later), Windows™
XP (SP3 or later) PC, Mac™ OSX (10.5.4 or later) systems or a sound server, running software to
generate PCM data. The interface will work with Linux-based servers and computers fitted with USB
2.0 interfaces that natively support USB Audio Class 1 or Class 2 operation.
One of the USB Audio classes must be set during system set-up. The DAC is shipped set to USB
Audio Class 2.
USB Audio Class 1: The interface operates without a special driver at up to 96kS/s.
To select Class 1, open the menu, navigate to the Settings > USB Class menu page. The
button sequence is: Menu, ►, Menu, ◄, ◄, ◄, ◄, and then use the Menu button to
select the Class 1 icon. Wait 10 seconds while the Class 1 code is loaded.
USB Audio Class 2: The interface operates at up to 192kS/s (including DSD over PCM).
For Mac OSX, version 10.6.3 or later is required.
For Windows 7 or Vista or XP, the driver files on the dCS USB Class 2 Driver disc supplied
must be installed onto the computer before use (see page 10).
To select Class 2, open the menu, navigate to the Settings > USB Class menu page. The
button sequence is: Menu, ►, Menu, ◄, ◄, ◄, ◄, and then use the Menu button to
select the Class 2 icon. Wait 10 seconds while the Class 2 code is loaded.
Figure 2 – Connecting the USB interface.
•Connect one of the computer’s USB ports to the USB port on the DAC’s rear panel.
•Press the Input button repeatedly until USB is displayed. If the source is transmitting PCM data,
the DAC will lock to the source and the sample rate will be displayed.
The DAC’s USB interface operates in asynchronous mode. This allows the clock inside the DAC to
control the delivery of data from the computer, avoiding the use of the computer’s inaccurate and
jittery clock.