North star Essentio User manual

Essensio

Operating Manual

North Star Design®

Essensio

192kHz/32bit USB DAC

Rev 1 0 July 10

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO

NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to

alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure

that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the

presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature

accompanying the appliance

Marking by the “CE” symbol (shown left) indicates compliance of this device with the EMC

(Electromagnetic Compatibility) and LVD (Low Voltage Directive) standards of the

European Community

Important Safety Instructions

Please read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely before operating your North Star

Design® Essensio

1 ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains before connecting or disconnecting

any cables, or when cleaning any component

2 This product must be terminated with a three-conductor AC mains power cord which includes

an earth ground connection To prevent shock hazard, all three connections must ALWAYS be

used

3 AC extension cords are not recommended for use with this product

4 NEVER use flammable or combustible chemicals for cleaning audio components

5 NEVER operate this product with any covers removed

6 NEVER wet the inside of this product with any liquid

7 NEVER pour or spill liquids directly onto this unit

8 NEVER bypass any fuse

9 NEVER replace any fuse with a value or type other than those specified

10 NEVER attempt to repair this product If a problem occurs, contact your North Star Design® retailer

11 NEVER expose this product to extremely high or low temperatures

12 NEVER operate this product in an explosive atmosphere

13 ALWAYS keep electrical equipment out of the reach of children

14 ALWAYS unplug sensitive electronic equipment during lightning storms

Ro S Compliant Information

This statement clarifies North Star Design srl product compliance with the European Union directive

2002/95/EC, or, RoHS (Restrictions of Hazardous Substances)

As of July 01, 2006, All North Star Design products placed on the European Union

market are compliant (containing quantity limit weight less than or equal to 0 1% (1000 ppm)

of any homogeneous Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI), and flame

retardant Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) or Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE))

Introduction

Welcome to the North Star Design “family” and congratulations on your purchase of what is

unquestionably one of the world’s finest audio Digital-to-Analogue converter With its combination of

features, precision electronic circuitry and accurately machined chassis components throughout,

your Essensio will offer you many years of musically satisfying enjoyment Please take a few

moments to read the remainder of this Operating Manual A thorough understanding of the

operational features will allow you to gain the maximum performance and ease of use for which this

DAC was designed

Enjoy the music!

North Star Design s r l

Via Lenin, 132

56017 San Giuliano Terme (PI)

ITALY

Phone/Fax +39-050-859166

e-mail: info@northstar it

website: www northstar it

Initial Inspection

Inspect the shipping container for damage If the shipping container, packing material, DAC or

accessories are damaged or missing, notify your dealer and the shipper (if a claim is to be made)

Note: Many shippers require notification and an inspection within twenty-four (24) hours of delivery

to ascertain the nature of damages incurred

Your Essensio has undergone extensive performance evaluations, listening tests, quality control

inspections and a minimum twenty-four (24) hour burn-in period prior to shipment and should be in

a perfect operational condition upon receipt If the DAC does not operate correctly, please notify

your dealer immediately

We strongly suggest that you save all packing materials If the DAC is returned to your dealer the

original packing materials must be used for shipment Neither North Star Design nor the shipper

can be held responsible for damages incurred during transit if the original factory packing is not

used All factory returns require that a Return Authorization number be issued by North Star Design

prior to shipment

Contents

Ensure that all of the auxiliary components listed below are enclosed into the box

1 One (1) Operating Manual

2 One (1) AC power cable

3 One (1) USB2 0 cable

4 One (1) CD-ROM with drivers

5 One (1) warranty card (in some countries warranties are provided by the respective importer)

Installation

Locate the Essensio as close as possible to its final installation point Allow access to the rear panel

for making connections

Front & Rear Panel Function Controls

Before attempting any system interconnection, please familiarize yourself with the front and rear

panel controls of the Essensio The descriptions below refer to the numbers and letters associated

with the features in the diagram above

Front Panel

1 STAND-BY PUS BUTTON

When in stand-by mode, push to switch in Operate mode When in Operate mode, push to switch in

Stand-by mode

WARNING: Always put in stand-by the DAC before switch-off the unit by rear panel switch.

2 STAND-BY LED INDICATOR

The Stand-by LED show the operating mode of your converter:

Glows red when the DAC is in Stand-by

Off the DAC is ready to use

If the DAC will not turn on, you may want to check the rear panel AC

mains switch , your AC connections, or have your dealer inspect the rear panel fuses

3 INPUT LED INDICATOR

One of the LEDs glows blue when an input is selected The LED flash when a signal is not present

at the input selected If a digital input signal is present the input led glows blue and the frequency

led will show the signal frequency

When the Essensio enter in operating mode the USB input is checked for the signal presence; if a

computer is connected via USB input the Essensio automatically select this input

4 FREQUENCY LED INDICATOR

One of the LEDs glows blue when a digital signal whit a recognized frequency is present at the

input The recognized frequency are: 44 1kHz, 48kHz, 88,2kHz, 96kHz, 176,4kHz, 192kHz If a

digital signal with a different frequency is present at the input, the digital receiver will lock but the

frequency will not displayed

5 INPUT + PUS BUTTON

Push this button to select an higher input

6 INPUT - PUS BUTTON

Push this button to select a lower input

Rear Panel

Caution!

Switch Off the Essensio when you need to connect or disconnect any cables.

7 COAX INPUT (COAX 1)