Okto Research DAC8 PRO User manual

dac8 PRO
A versatile, high-performance 8-channel D/A converter
Owner’s Manual

2 |dac8 PRO Owner’s Manual | okto research
Contents
Specifications ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................3
Mechanical drawings................................................................................................................................................................................................5
Back panel overview.................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Package contents ......................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Digital connections....................................................................................................................................................................................................7
USB...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Drivers.............................................................................................................................................................................................................7
AES/EBU inputs.....................................................................................................................................................................................................9
Signal integrity.............................................................................................................................................................................................9
SPDIF compatibility................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
AES/EBU output ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Analog Connections............................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Main outputs....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Driving power amplifiers directly......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Volume operation......................................................................................................................................................................................11
Interfacing with legacy devices with single-ended inputs only...................................................................................................11
Headphone output ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Input modes.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Pure USB............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
USB / AES............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Pure AES............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Controls ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Rotary control ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Remote control................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
User interface and menu system........................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Main screen, left................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Main screen, right.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Main menu........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Volume submenu.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Routing submenu.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
System submenu................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Displays submenu..............................................................................................................................................................................................20
Filters submenu..................................................................................................................................................................................................20
Status submenu..................................................................................................................................................................................................23
Advanced submenu..........................................................................................................................................................................................24
Mains voltage selection.........................................................................................................................................................................................24
Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................................................................................................25
Issue 1: USB input not recognized................................................................................................................................................................25
Issue 2: Dropouts during AES/EBU playback............................................................................................................................................25
Service and warranty..............................................................................................................................................................................................26
Manual revisions......................................................................................................................................................................................................27

3 |dac8 PRO Owner’s Manual | okto research
Specifications
Digital inputs / outputs:
-USB
-8 output and 8 input channels
-asynchronous, UAC 2.0 compliant
-playback data formats
-PCM, up to 192kHz / 32-bit
-native DSD, 64x / 128x
-DSD over PCM (DoP), 64x
-recording data format
-PCM, up to 192kHz / 32-bit
-AES/EBU
-4 AES/EBU inputs (SPDIF compatible)
-up to 192 kHz / 24-bit
-resampling-free (i.e. requiring a single signal source)
-unique USB/AES input mode ensures a bit-perfect data flow from
AES/EBU to USB, allowing for a real-time signal processing or
simultaneous recording & playback with no resampling applied
-1 AES/EBU output
-fixed to playback channels 1 and 2 (of USB or AES/EBU, depending on
the selected input)
Analog outputs:
-Main outputs (back side)
-8 x Neutrik gold-plated XLR connector
-output level: 4.2 V RMS differential full-scale
-output impedance: 200 Ohm (differential) or 100 Ohm (SE)
-capable of directly driving power amplifiers
-Headphone output (front side)
-6.3 mm (1/4”) TRS connector
-Output level: 4.2 V RMS full-scale
-120 mA linear output current
-fixed to output channels 1 and 2
-output impedance <100 mOhm

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Analog performance
-0.000032 % / -130 dB THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) full-scale, 1kHz
-0.00011 % / -119 dB THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise) or 119 dB SINAD
(full-scale, 1kHz)
-125 dB of dynamic range
-0.000224 % / -113 dB THD+N @ 100 mW into 32 Ohm headphone output
Menu functions
-Individual volume for each of the 8 output channels (relative to the master volume)
-Routing matrix (any input channel to a specific output channel)
-Upper volume limit
-Remote control learning
-Choice between 7 PCM reconstruction FIR filters
-Configurable display timer to dim or turn off the displays
-Configurable Auto on / Auto off with non-zero audio data detection
-Adjustable 2nd and 3rd order THD compensation
Other features
-Trigger output
-5 V voltage level (works with most 12 V trigger inputs)
-short-circuit proof with 15 mA maximum current
-pulse or continuous
-Full control with either rotary or remote control
-Rack-mountable with optional 2U, 19” rack mounting brackets
Dimensions
-446 x 183 x 50 mm, (17.56 x 7.2 x 1.97 in), excluding removable feet
-Weight: 4.5 kg (10 lbs)
Power
-Mains voltage: 120 V AC or 230 V AC, according to the mains voltage of the country
from which the order was placed, unless requested otherwise
-Standard 3-pin IEC 60320 power connector
-Power rating: 15 W
-Fuse: F400mA

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Mechanical drawings