Ideon Audio Absolute epsilon User manual

User Guide

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Connecting us with the musical event
Thank you for purchasing the Ideon Audio
Absolute ε epsilon anniversary edition
digital to analogue processor, our agship
creation.
If you have arrived here from another Ideon
product, we are grateful for your continued
trust. If you are a newcomer to our musical
reproduction journey, we are honored to
welcome you on board.
Listening through the Ideon absolute you
will gain exciting new levels of musical
perception and discover new information,
even in the most familiar recordings.
At the current state of sound technology,
the absolute DAC is a state-of-the-art
component, thanks to its proprietary
circuitry and ingenious implementation of
the very best electronic and mechanical
components.
We are certain that you will enjoy many
magical musical moments for years to
come. Recording quality and analogue
to digital transfer and mastering quality
notwithstanding, connecting the absolute
to your digital source, will bring you even
closer to the musical event contained in
the source les.

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© Ideon Audio – Absolute DAC ε manual
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specications without notice.
Connecting us with the musical event
The absolute will breathe new life into
your audio les libraries; it is artifact free;
its linear circuit does not impart any audio
characteristics of its own.
• The device is fully balanced throughout –
a topology that helps minimize the noise
oor to vanishingly low levels (~-140dB)
• The Absolute can operate in single-ended
and balanced modes without any loss of
signal either way.
• Ultra-linear circuitry and hand-selected
and matched-to-circuit components are
used throughout.
• Contemporary, cutting edge technology
is applied in the Absolute design: we
choose the latest, highest performing
digital-to-analogue conversion
technology.
• Future-proof: modular construction for
both the digital input and analogue
output, which allows for easy updating as
necessary.
• Proprietary circuit design optimizes the
performance of the state-of-the-art DAC
chip and clocks used inside. Three ultra-
low jitter clocks are used to support sonic
precision and sound stability.
• Proprietary, ultra-low noise, dual-quattro
voltage parallel analogue amplication
stages implemented in the Absolute:
◊ Protects against noise, hum, and signal
degradation. Hence, signal accuracy
is unparalleled!
◊ Ample energy reserves, strikingly
improved SNR ratio. Stunning dynamics
are achieved!
• The extraordinary stable output stage
contains vast power reserves and is
therefore more than capable of driving
any commercially available pre & power
amplier combo, as well as longer cables,
both in single-ended and balanced
operating modes.
• The Absolute DAC’s main power banks,
both boards and components, are
engineered to ensure ultra-high operating
stability and precision, thereby negating
uctuations to subsequent stages.
• Proprietary power supply design provides
independent power lines to each stage
that bypasses the main power boards
and ensures insulation from internal noise
interference.
• The massive, hand-milled aluminum
chassis enhances mechanical stability
and provides shielding from airborne
vibration. The base alone has more than
1650 cubic cm of solid aluminum.
• A choice of digital lters allows the user to
optimize reproduction or, more simply, to
match the user’s personal taste.
• The Absolute DAC does not introduce
non-linear distortion even when operating
from a cold start; however, the sound
improves signicantly after the rst half
hour of operation.
Burn-in: based on our experience, the
absolute needs a little over 300 hours to fully
come into its own. Nevertheless, be assured
that the musical enjoyment begins from the
very rst moment!
Before operating the Ideon Audio absolute
DAC please read the brief instructions that
follow.
Preamble

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Multi-function knob / On-Off (functions through rotate and/or press)
Digital SPDIF inputs → signal from CD player/transport
Balanced Analog
output → to Amplier Single-Ended Analog output → to Amplier
Digital USB input → signal from Streamer/PC/Server
Front panel
Back panel
Operating the absolute
Using the Absolute DAC is simple, and its
functions are designed to be user-friendly.
At the same time, we have included user-
controlled digital signal processing options
which allow you to personalize certain
functionalities and processing parameters.
The Absolute DAC offers a wide array of
settings, allowing users exibility in selecting
the best sound for a particular recording,
input, or le type. A brief description of the
digital parameters follows the multi-function
knob operating instructions.
The functions, including power on-off, are
all accessible via the Multi-function rounded
knob on the front panel.
Controls and Connectors

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© Ideon Audio – Absolute DAC ε manual
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specications without notice.
Connecting us with the musical event
Multi-function knob
Absolute DAC front display
• On-off switch
• Output level
• Input, Filter & Settings selector
Main Screen
Standby
Switching on the device from its IEC switch at
the back plate, the Absolute DAC is in stand-
by mode.
Power On
Pressing on the knob once switches the de-
vice on.
Pressing the knob continuously for 7 seconds
or more takes the Absolute DAC back to
standby mode.
Pressing on the knob for 2-3 secs and releas-
ing it, takes you to the next screen/menu.
Clicking on the knob activates the selection,
and what is selected lights up in red. This al-
ways indicates the user’s current selection.
Turning the multi-function knob takes you
through the choices.
You select your choice by clicking once; the
selection is stored, and you are taken to the
next menu function.
This home screen on the Absolute DAC can
default to screen-saving mode after a few
seconds – which means can be dimmed a
lot; clicking on the knob wakes it. This can
be set through the general Settings screen
(explained later).
Pressing and holding the knob for about 3 sec-
onds takes you to the input settings screen.
You can navigate between options with the rotary function of the knob. Clicking on an item
conrms your choice and takes you to the next item. The system saves the last selected settings.
The rst screen displays:
• the current input (upper left),
• the decoding format (upper right),
• the sampling rate (provided there is a signal),
• and the active lter (bottom).
The input and the lter are user adjustable.
If you have opted to drive your amplication
directly via the Absolute DAC, please make
sure that you have turned down the volume
to its minimum (this can be done though the
General Settings menu, as explained below)
before switching on the power amplier(s)!
This is done through the General Settings
menu, as explained below.

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Input Settings Screen
This screen displays ltering and processing
parameters for the chosen input (which
appears as a heading). Active functions are
highlighted in red. Turning the knob allows to
navigate between the options of that func-
tion. Clicking on the knob conrms the selec-
tion and takes you to the next function. If you
do not want to change anything you can
simply click once again and move on to the
next item on the menu.
If you wish to return to the main screen, simply go to “Back to the Main Screen” and turn the
knob.
Filter: in many les there is little real musical
content above 25-30kHz the rest being noise.
The lters address this issue especially for high
resolution les. Landing on the lter highlights
it in red and opens the selection. Turning the
knob takes you through the seven (7) preset
lter choices. These are,
• Fast roll-off, minimum phase.
• Slow roll-off minimum phase.
• Fast roll-off linear phase.
• Slow roll-off linear phase.
• Brick wall.
• Hybrid, fast roll-off minimum phase.
• Apodizing, fast roll-off minimum phase
Clicking on your selection conrms your
choice and takes you to the next function.
We recommend you start experimenting with
these after the rst 3-4 weeks of operation.
IIR (innite impulse response): set at 47.44kHz
for PCM it is user selectable for DSD (50-60-
70kHz)
Lock speed: this function sets the number
of audio samples that are required from the
incoming signal before the DPLL and jitter
eliminator lock onto it. The default value is
16384.
On the rare occasion where there is no lock
turn to the other values, preferably in de-
scending order 8192, 4092, 2048, 1024.
De-emphasis: a lter that attenuates high
frequencies and counteracts emphasis often
used in mastering. We recommend that you
leave this disabled.
Keeping the knob pressed for 2-3secs takes
you to the General settings screen.

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© Ideon Audio – Absolute DAC ε manual
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specications without notice.
Connecting us with the musical event
General Settings Screen
This is where you access the variable vol-
ume control, screen settings, and the sys-
tem restore utility.
Output volume / volume control: Fixed or
Variable.
The Absolute DAC comes factory-set to
xed volume output, -0 dB FS (full-scale).
This is the recommended setting for systems
with top class pre-amplication.
Nonetheless, the variable output level en-
ables the Absolute to be connected to a
power amplier directly without the need of
an additional pre-amplication or attenua-
tion circuit. For this reason, the Absolute DAC
incorporates a rst-rate, hi-precision digital
volume attenuator.
Default volume level: If you have selected the
Variable Output, this is the output volume level
you will get, when you switch on the device.
Remember the value you choose is stored
automatically when you switch the device to
stand-by. To protect against accidents, it is
good to provide for some attenuation on start-
up: depending on the amplier’s input sensitivi-
ty -20dB to -30 are commonly used values.
Please note that we thoroughly recommend
the use of a separate quality preamp, de-
spite the introduction of an additional elec-
tronic circuit.
Hi-precision though the Absolute’s attenuator
may be, the music lover is better served in
dynamic contrast, energy, and vivacity.
Note: there may be power amps in existence
which - because of their unique impedance
and design characteristics - may not function
correctly or be incompatible with the Abso-
lute DAC. In those unlikely cases you would
need to use a separate preamp or integrat-
ed amp.
Backlight level: refers to screen brightness,
selectable values
Screensaver: on or off, as required. Dims the
screen after some seconds.
Reset factory settings: brings back the DAC
to factory defaults.
IMPORTANT
This is not an analog attenuator, or an analog preamp! Using it you may lose bits from
the digital reproduction affecting the sound.
To activate the Absolute DAC’s own attenuator simply click on variable output. When
you return to the main screen, the knob will function as a rotary volume control and the
amplitude level will display in the middle of the screen.
Please note that volume /amplitude levels are displayed in dB of attenuation, so the
higher the number the higher the attenuation i.e., the lower the volume. -0dB means full
volume!

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This is a brief compendium of ideas and
suggestions, often user inspired. Some of
these are mentioned above. We thought
that putting these all together in one place
is worth the boredom of repetition. They are
in random order, so the last is not necessarily
less than the rst!
1. The Absolute DAC in its raw state (i.e.
factory-fresh) takes us closer than
ever to the musical event; we strongly
recommend you privilege listening over
tweaking!
2. Burn-in: based on anecdotal data, the
Absolute DAC needs a little over 300 hours
to fully come into its own. Nevertheless,
users report, and we conrm that the
musical enjoyment begins from the very
rst moment of operation!
3. Keeping the Absolute DAC on all the time
keeps the power supplies charged and
the operating temperature at optimum
levels. If, however, your main grid is
notoriously unstable, it is best to switch the
Absolute DAC off when not in use.
4. Absolute DAC off for an extended
period of time; upon restart, please allow
some time before the device reaches
its optimum operating conditions and
optimum sound.
5. Vibration control: any vibration control
device placed under the Absolute DAC
chassis can affect the sound, as can the
furniture upon which you place it – just
as it will for any audio device. As always,
what you end up doing is a matter of
personal choice.
6. Cables: it is well worth trying out good
quality interconnects to and from the
Absolute DAC. When auditing cables,
keep in mind that the Absolute DAC
circuits do not impart any sonic avor
of their own. Ultimately, the choice of
cable becomes a matter of taste and
associated equipment.
7. Power cords: many users opt for after-
market power cords and nd that this
brings changes to the sound. To avoid
undue damage to the device, please
ensure that the after-market cords you
wish to test are correctly engineered.
Important: before changing power cords
make sure you SWITCH OFF the device
and disconnect it from associated
downstream equipment.
8. Please be careful when switching
the Absolute DAC on and off in quick
succession, allowing at least 10 seconds
between on-off changes.
9. Variable output volume: to avoid
inadvertently damaging your speakers
with a sudden loud signal, do not forget
to set an attenuation level for start-up
(“default volume level”). For the most
dynamic, realistic sound, the settings
above -9dB should be avoided. The -0dB
setting is the best.
Tips

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© Ideon Audio – Absolute DAC ε manual
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specications without notice.
Connecting us with the musical event
QUICK GUIDE
Main Screen
Input Settings Screen
Description of user controllable parameters and functionalities
Action Result
One click from OFF position Power ON
Pressing continuously for 7 seconds or more Power OFF
Pressing and keeping the knob for 3 seconds
changes the menu
The Absolute opening screen has the input
selection. Rotating the knob will take you
through different inputs USB, RCA, BNC. To
select, just press the knob when the desired
input appears.
Inputs: USB, COAX, BNC – highlighted in red.
Pressing the knob again will take you to the
choice of lter for that input; proceed as above
to choose your preferred lter for that input
using the rotating function of the knob. Click to
select
Fast roll-off, minimum phase; Slow roll-off
minimum phase; Fast roll-off linear phase; Slow
roll-off linear phase; Brick wall; Hybrid, fast
roll-off minimum phase; Apodizing, fast roll-off
minimum phase
Action Result
Please proceed as above: rotating the knob will
take you to different parameters of a specic
setting, pressing will select the value of the
setting, moving on to the next setting is done by
pressing the knob.
The default settings were set at Ideon Audio.
We recommend you maintain these while you
familiarize yourself with the device.
Filter: choice of seven lters (see below)
IIR lter: 47.44 kHz (default), other choices: 50,
60, 70 kHz;
Lock speed: default value 16384 FSL edges
(default), other choices: 8192, 4092, 2048,
1024.
De-emphasis: enabled-disabled, (default:
disabled)
Back to Main Screen
Volume: range -127dB- 0dB (full volume). De-
fault setting is -0dB FS (i.e. full volume).
Oversampling lter: enabled this gives access
to 7 user-selectable, pre-set lters. The lters in-
uence the frequency response and allows the
user to tailor the sound to their personal taste,
the recording, or the mastering.
• roll-off, minimum phase
• Slow roll-off minimum phase
• Fast roll-off linear phase
• Slow roll-off linear phase
• Brick wall
• Hybrid, fast roll-off minimum phase
• Apodizing, fast roll-off minimum phase

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General Settings Screen
Action Result
In “DAC output level”, rotating the knob will
change the output volume from default “xed”
to variable. Please refer to the important note
on page 6, regarding the volume control.
Pressing the knob again will take you to next
menu item, “backlight level”: using the rotating
function you can select the level of the
brightness function 1-10 (default is10).
DAC output volume: xed-variable (default:
xed @ 0dB FS)
Default Volume level (selectable)
Backlight Level: 1-10 (default is 10)
Restore factory settings
Back to Main Screen
Volume: range -127dB- 0dB (full volume). De-
fault setting is -0dB FS (i.e. full volume).
Default volume: where you are at start up,
when in variable output mode.
Screensaver: on or off, as required
Backlight level: refers to screen brightness,
selectable values
Reset factory settings: if you need to reset your
device to factory settings.
We recommend using the default values at least until the Absolute DAC has reached optimum
performance levels (empirically over 300 hours of signal processing).
Technical Specications
SUPPORTED FORMATS (INPUT
DEPENDENT) 44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM up to 32 bits , Native DSD
DIGITAL INPUTS 4x Advanced isolated input module slots
XLR BALANCED OUTPUTS 9Vrms at 0dB
RCA OUTPUTS RCA OUTPUTS 4.5Vrms at 0dB
THD (A WEIGHTED 20HZ-20KHZ) < – 120dB on all outputs
CHANNEL SEPARATION >130dB on all outputs
SNR (A WEIGHTED 20HZ-20KHZ) >130dB on all outputs
DYNAMIC RANGE 20HZ TO 20KHZ 147 dB (FS) . 145 dB (AFS)
DISPLAY Custom discrete LED audio clock synchronous display
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) 490 x 350 x 120 mm (19.2 x 13.7 x 4.7 in).
WEIGHT 28kg (~58 lbs)

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© Ideon Audio – Absolute DAC ε manual
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specications without notice.
Connecting us with the musical event
Safety Instructions
• WARNING. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
• Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not place
ammable material on or underneath this
device.
• Do not remove or bypass the ground pin on
the end of the AC cord unless necessary to
reduce hum from ground loops of connected
equipment. Disconnecting the ground may
cause RFI (radio frequency interference)
to be induced into your playback setup.
Removing or bypassing the ground pin on
any electrical component is potentially
dangerous and should be avoided for safety
reasons.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on
or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the apparatus. Unplug this apparatus
during lightning storms or when unused for
long periods of time.
Servicing
THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE ANY IDEON AUDIO PRODUCT. PLEASE REFER ALL
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
Please contact your authorized dealer, distributor, or Ideon Audio if you have any questions not
addressed in this reference document.

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Warranty
Ideon Audio provides a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on all new Ideon Audio
components.
The Ideon Audio seven (7) year and extended Lifetime Limited Warranty
You can extend the standard 2-year manufacturer’s warranty into a 7-year warranty by
registering your product with us. To do that, you need to send us your Name, Address, tel.,
email and the proof of purchase in the form of a bill of sale, invoice (or copy thereof) from
the Ideon Audio dealer or Distributor. For further detail please contact your dealer or refer to
Ideon Audio’s ofcial site.
Furthermore, Ideon Audio also offers a
Lifetime product warranty that can be
purchased at 17,5% of the retail price for any
of our products. Please coordinate with your
dealer of local distributor for that.
The Ideon Audio limited warranty covers
defects in the materials and workmanship in
this product. Under the terms of this warranty
we will repair the product free of charge
(parts and labor) — or replace it where
we deem that repair is not possible — for
malfunction due to inherent defects in the
materials or construction.
Ideon Audio has authorized distribution
in many countries of the world. Warranty
service should be obtained directly from
the importing retailer or distributor from
whom you purchased the product. In the
unlikely event of service required beyond
the capabilities of the importer, Ideon Audio
undertakes to fulll the conditions of the
warranty.
In case of malfunction please contact your
dealer to arrange for service. If you have
purchased the product directly from Ideon
Audio, please contact us directly at info@
ideonaudio.com, quoting subject: fault and
a short description of the issue.
Please note that the product must be
returned using original packaging only and
accompanied by a written description of the
issue, defect, or malfunction.
*Extended, lifetime warranty coverage
• This specially extended warranty covers
the lifetime of the product model.
• This warranty is transferable under
condition that each new owner informs
Ideon Audio importers, dealers, or Ideon
Audio directly the device model, number,
previous owner name & new owner
name & address.
• In cases of obsolescence of materials
or superseded technology, the product
will be repaired using currently available
materials and technology of equivalent
performance characteristics, or better.
• “Future proof”: if Ideon Audio releases
upgrades to, or improved versions of,
the purchased product, these are made
available to subscribers at cost of parts
and materials only. Shipping to the
service location is borne by the owner,
Ideon Audio or its distributors / dealers
pay for return shipping.

Connecting us with the musical event
© Ideon Audio – Absolute DAC ε manual
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specications without notice.
12
This warranty is voided in cases of,
• Damage and /or malfunction caused
by tampering or modications to the
product’s original state, attempts to x,
or other alterations to the product by
persons other than factory authorized
service personnel.
• Damage and /or malfunction caused
by improper use, abuse, or improper
operation of the product.
• Failure to comply fully with Ideon Audio
operating instructions.
• Damage to cables or attachments and
cosmetic damage induced by use.
• Products obtained outside the network
of authorized Ideon Audio dealers and
resellers.
General Warranty Terms.
This Warranty is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The Warranty is void and
inapplicable if the product has been used or handled other than in accordance with the
instructions in this document, abused, or misused, damaged by accident or neglect or in
being transported, or the defect is due to the product being repaired or tampered with by
anyone other than Ideon Audio or an authorized Ideon Audio repair center.
1. The product must be packaged and
returned to Ideon Audio or an authorized
Ideon Audio repair center by the
customer at his or her sole expense in the
original packing material. Ideon Audio will
pay return freight of its choice for original
purchasers.
2. Returned product must be accompanied
by a written description of the issue or the
defect. Ideon Audio reserves the right to
modify the design of its products without
obligation to purchasers of previously
manufactured products and to change
the price or specications of any product
without notice or obligation to any
person.
In the event the product fails to meet this
Warranty and the above conditions have
been met, the purchaser’s sole remedy
under this Limited Warranty shall be to return
the product to Ideon Audio or an authorized
Ideon Audio repair center where the defect
will be repaired without charge for parts or
labor.
This warranty does not cover the cost of
custom installation, customer instruction and
setup adjustments.
This warranty does not cover cosmetic
damage or any damage due to accident,
misuse, abuse, negligence or modication
of, or to any part of the Product, without
initial express consent from Ideon Audio.
This warranty does not cover damage due
to improper operation or maintenance,
connection to improper voltage supply, or
attempted repair by anyone other than a
facility authorized by Ideon Audio to service
the Product.
Enjoy the music, enjoy hi-denition in music!

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