EMMLabs DAC6e User manual

DAC6e
USER MANUAL V1.0

1
D/A Converter DAC6e
The EMM Labs 6-channel D/A converter is a 4th generation design to meet
the highest standards in consumer audio applications. It offers conversion
from digital audio of various different formats to analog. For best audio
performance the DAC6e can be operated in Master Clock mode.
Features
• 6-channel conversions:
• from PCM (44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz) to analog
• from DSD to analog
• Supported input formats:
• AES/EBU (3 connectors) for PCM
• ST Fiber optic for DSD
• Master and Slave Clock Operation
• Power supply
• power factor corrected
• auto ranging 85V - 240V, 50/60Hz
• power consumption: 60W
• Analog outputs
• balanced on XLR
• unbalanced on RCA
• Analog output impedances
•100Ωbalanced, 50Ωunbalanced
Note: XLR analog outputs are balanced with pin 2 hot, pin 3 cold and pin 1 GND.
Function Switches
Power
The main power switch is on the back of the unit. The red power button on
the front is a momentary switch that toggles the operation between power on
and power save modes every time the user pushes it.

2
Labs
emm
meitnerdesign
SAMPLE CLOCK
INV
PCM
48
2 FS
1 FS FORMAT PHASE
44.1INT
EXT LOCK
POWER ERROR
DAC6 e
DSD NORM
emmLabs
DAC6 e
3000
PUSH PUSH PUSH
MADE IN CANADA
SERIAL
MODEL
ANALOG OUTPUTS
65432
1/2 3/4 5/6
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
85 - 260 V
50 / 60 HZ
150 W MAX
OPTICAL DATA
PCM INPUTS
WORD CLOCK
UNBAL
BAL

3
Clock Section
INT / EXT: Selects internal or external clock source. LOCK LED is lit
when D/A converter is locked to external clock. When in
INT, the DAC6e generates the master clock signal
(master clock mode) for the audio source. Connect either
the BNC or optical clock output from the DAC6 to your
audio souce.
When in EXT (slave clock mode) no additional
connection from the DAC6e to the audio source is
required.
Sample Rate Section
1FS / 2FS: Selects the sample rate for PCM data. FS is the base
frequency (see selector switch for base).
44.1 / 48: Selects the base frequency (only 44.1kHz is allowed for
DSD inputs)
Format Section
DSD / PCM: Selects digital audio input format.
Phase Section
NORM / INV: Selects normal or inverted phase.
Error Indicator Is lit for illegal switch positions
Basic Operation
Conversion from PCM on AES/EBU to Analog
Additional selections for 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96kHz sample rate can be made
with the sample rate switches.
48
INT
EXT
DSD
PCM
NORM
INV
FORMAT PHASE
1FS
2FS
LOCK
POWER ERROR
44.1
SAMPLE CLOCK

4
Up to 3 AES/EBU cables can be connected to the DAC6e. The 4 possible
audio frequencies can be selected according to Table 1:
In the case of 2FS operation (88.2kHz or 96kHz) the clock rate of the trans-
mission on the cable is double. Master / Slave clock operations can be
selected with the INT / EXT switch (see below for more detail). In Slave
operation there has to be at least an AES/EBU cable connected to channels
1/2 as this connection provides the clock for the DAC6e.
Conversion from DSD on Optical to Analog
The optical interface format requires 2 cables: 1 for clock and 1 for audio
data. They both need to be connected regardless of what clock mode is
selected (master or slave). This mode requires the selection of 44.1kHz
base frequency. Master / Slave clock operations can be selected with the
INT / EXT switch (see below for more detail) and the 1FS / 2FS switch is
ignored.
Table 1: Selection of Audio Sample Rates
Sample Rate Switch Switch
44.1kHz 1FS 44.1kHz
48kHz 1FS 48kHz
88.2kHz 2FS 44.1kHz
96kHz 2FS 48kHz
48
INT
EXT
DSD
PCM
NORM
INV
FORMAT PHASE
1FS
2FS
LOCK
POWER ERROR
44.1
SAMPLE CLOCK

5
Master and Slave Clock Operation
In Master mode (switch set to INT) the DAC6e provides the clock to the
audio source. A cable needs to be connected from either the BNC Clock
output or Optical Clock output from the DAC6e to the clock input of your
audio source. This mode provides the best audio performance as the clock
jitter is minimzed.
In Slave mode (switch set to EXT) the DAC6e locks to the clock as provided
by the selected audio source (DSD or PCM).
Warranty
EMM Labs warrants the DAC6e product against defects in material and
workmanship under normal use and service for a period of time specified by
the product’s serial number from the date of first delivery to the owner. The
warranty time period is 5 years limited to the original owner.
EMM Labs will pay for return shipping charges back to the owner when the
product is sent to EMM Labs within first 90 days after purchase. Otherwise,
owner will be responsible for all shipping charges to and from EMM Labs.
For all warranty claims, a copy of the original invoice must accompany the
product.
Opening the product or modifying it in any way by the owner, including but
not limited to cryogenic treatment, will void any warranty.