MAYFLOWER ELECTRONICS ARC User manual

ARC, the Aural Resonance Cascade
Gaming DAC + Headphone Amplifier

Quick Start
1. Connect power adapter to ①
2. Plug USB cable into PC, Mac, or PS4
and insert USB cable into ②
3. Plug eadp ones into ③
4. Optional: Plug microphone into ④
5. Turn on power and set volume ⑤
Pg. 2

ARC Owner s Manual
Table of Contents
Pg. 3
Introduction........................................4
Features .............................................4
Safety Precautions .............................5
Unpacking + Contents ...................…..5
Connections + Controls .....…..............6
Operation ..............................…..........7
Xbox One Settings……….…………………..9
PS4 Settings……………………………………..9
Troubles ooting ....................…........10
Specifications ...................................13
Warranty ..........................................13

Introduction
T ank you for c oosing t e Mayflower Electronics ARC. T is combination DAC + Headp one Amplifier
is designed to enric your gaming environment wit ig fidelity sound, advanced audio processing,
and integrated microp one amplifier wit noise filter.
T e ARC is fully compatible wit t e PS4 gaming console, Windows, Mac, and most Linux distributions.
In optical input mode it is also compatible wit t e Xbox.
T e Digital-Analog Converter (DAC) in t e ARC as been
developed based on customer response to our ig quality
amplifier products. By bypassing your system's lower
quality internal DAC and keeping t e audio stream digital
until t e OP-amp, sound quality is en anced and noise is
minimized.
Two digital input options are provided to ensure
compatibility wit your gaming system. A USB input
provides connectivity to most systems, w ile an SPDIF
optical input allows connection of equipment t at is not
able to recognize t e ARC as an audio device, suc as t e
Xbox. T e optical input can also be used to connect t e
ARC to your ome audio equipment. Because t is product
is an integrated DAC + Amp, t ere is no analog input.
A microp one jack bot amplifies and conditions t e input signal to ensure t e best communication
wit your team. An analog microp one output can pass t e microp one signal to your own mixing
equipment for custom audio feeds.
T e ARC is made in t e USA from US and global components.
Pg. 4
Features
• Combination DAC + Headp one Amp wit
adjustable digital level control.
• USB and optical (TOSLINK) digital inputs.
• RCA pre-outs for powered speaker systems.
• Microp one amp wit noise filter and analog
output.
• Dynamic Bass and Gaming Surround DSP
modes.
• Automatic eadp one switc over silences
speakers w en eadp ones are connected.

Safety Precautions
•Listen to eadp ones at a comfortable level for moderate periods of time to avoid earing
damage.
•Be aware of your surroundings w en wearing eadp ones, as important external sounds may
be difficult to ear.
•Use a dry towel to clean. Do not allow t e device to come into contact wit liquids.
•T e included AC adapter is designed for 100-240 volt AC service at 50-60 z, wit a 5vDC
output. A plug adapter will be needed if using an outlet ot er t an a Nort American outlet.
Unpacking + Contents
T e ARC DAC + Headp one Amp
Power supply
USB cable
Pg. 5

Connections + Controls
Front:
① DSP Mode Button
② DSP Mode LED
③ Power LED
④ Digital Volume Control + Power Switc
⑤ Microp one Input (3.5 mm)
⑥ Headp one Output (3.5mm)
Back:
⑦ RCA Speaker Pre-outs
⑧ Input Selector Switc
⑨ Microp one Analog Output
⑩ Full-size USB Connector
⑪ Output Gain Selector
⑫ TOSLINK Optical Connector
⑬ Power Supply Connector
Pg. 6

Operation
In most circumstances, t e ARC will only need to be connected to a power source and an available
USB port on your system. Refer to t e illustrations in t e Connections + Controls section to locate t e
items described below:
1. Ensure t at t e volume + power knob ④ is in t e Off position (all t e way counter-clockwise).
2. Remove t e twist tie from t e power adapter and connect it to t e ARC ⑬.
3. Plug t e power adapter into a 100-240vAC, 50-60 z power source. A plug adapter will be
needed if using an outlet ot er t an a Nort American outlet.
4. Remove t e twist tie from t e included USB cable and connect it between your system and t e
ARC ⑩.
5. Connect your eadp ones to t e eadp one output jack ⑥.
6. Optional: Connect your microphone to the mic input jack ⑤.
7. Power t e ARC on by turning t e volume + power knob ④ clockwise past t e point w ere a
click is felt.
Your system s ould recognize t e ARC and begin sending all audio processing t roug t e ARC,
bypassing t e internal sound card. If your system does not recognize t e ARC, see t e Troubles ooting
section.
8. Put on your eadp ones and adjust t e volume to a comfortable level. T e volume knob
rotates nearly 360 degrees, and it is normal to turn t e volume past 12 O’clock to ac ieve
typical listening levels. If t e level is not sufficient, switc t e output gain selector ⑪ to t e Hi
position. For most eadp ones, t e Lo gain setting is adequate.
9. Optional: Test your microphone and adjust the soft are microphone volume on your system to
an optimal level.
Connecting the ARC to your home audio system or Xbox:
Instead of using t e USB input, connect t e ARC's optical input ⑫ to your receiver, pre-amp, or Xbox
using a TOSLINK cable (not included). Move t e input selector switc ⑧ to t e optical position.
If you would like to use t e microp one wit your Xbox, you'll need to connect a standard 3.5mm to
3.5mm aux cable between ⑨ and t e 3.5mm jack on t e Xbox controller.
Pg. 7

Sound mode options:
T e Mode button ① allows for t e selection of two DSP audio en ancement modes to complement
your gaming environment. W en t e ARC is first powered on, t e default mode is selected, w ic
does not alter t e sound and t e mode LED is turned off.
Pressing t e mode button will cycle t roug t e DSP modes, c anging t e color of t e mode LED ②.
Continue to press t e button until t e desired mode is selected:
W en t e mode LED is blue, Dynamic Bass mode is selected, w ic evenly and smoot ly transitions to
a more powerful deep bass response. T is mode may improve sound quality depending on your
preferences, your eadp ones, and t e quality of t e input source.
W en t e mode LED is red, t e Gaming Surround mode is activated, w ic provides wider spatial
separation of t e left and rig t c annels. T is can be useful in a gaming environment to elp localize
sounds, making it easier to distinguis ow far a particular sound is coming from t e left or rig t.
Microphone Options:
T e built-in microp one connection provides a sop isticated line filter to eliminates noise, distortion,
and clipping. If your teammates are aving trouble earing you, you may need to adjust t e
microp one volume on your system.
An analog microp one output ⑨ as been provided for connection to custom mixing equipment.
T is can be useful w en capturing a game's video and audio for later viewing, or ot erwise creating a
custom audio feed (suc as a team music play list). Simply use a 3.5mm cable (not supplied) to
connect to your mixer or podcasting equipment.
Speaker Options:
A pair of RCA pre-outs ⑦ are supplied to connect powered speakers for use w en eadp ones are
not connected. T e ARC will automatically disable t e speakers w en eadp ones are connected.
W en t e RCA pre-outs are in use, volume is controlled using your speaker system’s volume
adjustment.
Pg. 8

Xbox One Settings:
You may need to adjust your Xbox audio settings to use t e ARC. After connecting an optical cable
between t e Xbox and t e ARC, and c anging t e input selector switc ⑧ to t e optical position,
perform t e following setup on your Xbox:
1. Open t e guide (scroll left from Home)
2. Select “Settings”
3. Select “All Settings”
4. Select “Display & Sound”
5. Select “Audio Output”
6. Locate t e Digital Audio settings and select “Optical audio”
7. Use t e arrow to t e rig t of “Optical Audio” to select “Bitstream out” or “stereo
uncompressed”
PS4 Settings:
You may need to adjust your PS4 audio settings to use t e ARC. T e ARC connects to t e PS4 using t e
included USB cable. Make sure t e input selector switc ⑧ is set to t e USB position, t en perform
t e following setup on your PS4:
1. Access t e “Settings” menu
2. Select “Devices”
3. Select “Audio Devices”
4. C ange t e Input Device to t e ARC if you are using t e ARC’s microp one input
5. C ange t e output device to t e ARC
6. Test and adjust t e microp one level if using t e ARC’s microp one input
Pg. 9

Troubleshooting
•T ere is no sound output to t e eadp ones or speakers:
Possible solutions:
1. T e input selector switc ⑧ may be set to t e wrong input source. C ange t e position of
t e switc to see if normal output resumes.
2. Try disconnecting and reconnecting t e power ⑬.
3. Disconnect and reconnect t e USB cable to reinitialize t e USB audio driver ⑩.
4. C eck to see t at t e volume switc is turned on and set to a reasonable volume ④.
5. Your system’s audio format may be set to an incompatible format. C eck your speaker
properties to set t e format to eit er “24 bit, 48000 Hz” or “24 bit, 96000 Hz”. You may need
to restart your system after c anging t is setting (See Figure 1).
6. Your system may be set to use t e built-in sound device instead of t e ARC. C eck your
device manager’s sound properties to ensure t e ARC is set as t e default audio device (See
Figure 2).
•T e speakers do not produce any sound or t e sound is barely audible:
T e ARC only allows t e connection of powered speakers. If your speakers are not self-
powered or t e speaker power is turned off, you will not ave sufficient volume. Use t e
volume control on your speaker system to set t e volume to an appropriate level.
•T e ARC doesn't seem to work wit my Xbox or ot er system:
It's possible t at your system's USB connection is not able to recognize t e ARC as an audio
device. In t is case you will need to use t e optical TOSLINK connection ⑫ instead. Be sure to
move t e input selector switc ⑧ to t e optical position if using t e TOSLINK connection.
Pg. 10

Troubleshooting (continued)
•T e microp one volume is eit er too quiet or too loud:
T e microp one’s volume may be adjusted using your system’s software (See Figure 3).
•Sound output is lost periodically during game play:
Your system may be set to output 5.1 c annel audio rat er t an 2-c annel audio. Try adjusting
your system’s audio output to 2-c annel mode.
•If you encounter a problem not listed ere, or are unable to solve your issue wit t e
information in t is manual, please contact Mayflower Electronics at
[e-mail] or via telep one at 518-866-4605.
Figure 1: Selecting a compatible format.
Pg. 11

Figure 2: Setting t e ARC as default audio device.
Figure 3: Typical software microp one adjustment.
Pg. 12

Warranty
T e ARC is warranted against material and
workmans ip defects for a period of 10 years from
t e date of purc ase. Mayflower Electronics may
elect to repair or replace t is product at t eir
option. Retain your invoice or order number as
proof of purc ase and provide your order number
in any warranty communication to Mayflower
Electronics.
T is warranty is only in effect if product is
purc ased directly from Mayflower Electronics or
from an aut orized retailer. Warranty is not valid if
serial number as been removed or ot erwise
altered.
Cosmetic damage is not covered during t e
warranty period. Opening t e case or making
ot er modifications will also void t e warranty.
ARC Owner’s Manual rev 1.0
Mayflower Electronics
2413 Riverfront Center
Amsterdam, NY 12010
518-866-4605
[e-mail]
Specifications
• Frequency Response: +/-0.05 dB (20Hz-20kHz)
• THD 1 K z 150 O ms: 0.0026%
• IMD CCIF 15 O ms: 0.0007%
• IMD SMPTE: 0.001%
• Noise 24/96 (A Weig ted): -109 dBu
• Max Output (32 O ms) : 1W (THD+N < 0.003%)
• Max Output (150 O ms): 365 mW (THD+N <
0.003%)
• Max Output (600 O ms): 92 mW (THD+N <
0.003%)
• Output Impedance: 0.096 o ms
• Crosstalk (15 o ms) : -65 dB
• C annel Balance (50% volume): 0.2 dB
• Dynamic Range (A-Weig ted): > 120 dB
• Linearity Error: -90 dBFS 24/96 -0.1 dB
• USB Jitter Components: 11025Hz -112dB
• RCA Line out: 1V RMS
Audio formats
• USB: 24/96, 24/48
• Optical: 24/192, 24/96, 24/48, 24/44.1,
16/192, 16/96, 16/48, 16/44.1
Dimensions
• 4.25” W x 3.25” L x 1.25” H
• Weig t: 8.5 oz.
* specifications subject to c ange
based on manufacturing updates.