VAD TAD-1S User manual

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Valve Audio Devices
TAD-1S Digital to Analogue Converter
Valve DAC
User Manual
Version 1.3

Introduction
TAD-1S valve DAC is an exquisitely engineered, hand-built, point-to-point wired unit
employing speci ically selected components.
It is designed or the purist and re ined over countless hours to produce exceptional high
de inition sound with unparalleled musicality.
Every component is selected with sound quality as the highest priority, and its specially
designed dual mono valve analogue stage, ultra-short “signal path” and advanced dual
mono D/A conversion stage provide the optimum environment or digital audio playback
rom variety o signal sources.
When matched with similarly high quality components, the TAD-1S achieves a standard o
micro-dynamics, resolution and speed to satis y the most discerning o audiophiles. Closing
the gap to the original sound, delivering unparalleled musicality, with all o the original
nuances, has now become closer than ever.
The TAD-1S stands comparison with the world’s inest re erence DACs – regardless o price.
The TAD-1S is more than just another D/A Converter.
The TAD-1S comes with a 7-year Manu acturer Warranty. It has been designed and built
with reliability in mind and will last a li etime with appropriate care.
Data Formats
The TAD-1S is capable o automatic recognition o sampling rates rom 32 to 192kHz and bit
rates o 16-24bit rom SPDIF/AES3 digital audio compatible sources and up to 24bit/192kHz
rom USB Audio 2.0

CONTENTS
Introduction 2
Connection 4-5
Be ore Using 6
Other in ormation 7
Sa ety 8
Speci ications 9-10
Warranty In ormation 10-12
Warranty registration orm 13
UNPACKING
•In the light case you will ind the ollowing:
•VAD TAD-1S valve DAC
•Power Cord
•Hex key ( or removing the valve cover)
•Owner’s Manual
•Remove all contents. Keep the light case in case o need to ship the TAD-1S
Place the TAD-1S on a sturdy sur ace (e.g. hi- i rack or isolation plat orm) and plug in the
power

Connection
VAD TAD-1S inputs
Digital inputs

Use a screened, twisted pair cable from the digital output of your CD transport or
CD player to the AES/EBU digital input of the TAD-1S (TAD1S- AES/EBU socket is a
receptacle type)
Use a RCA plug terminated, coaxial interconnect of your choice for the COAXIAL
digital input
The cable for COAXIAL input should not be longer than 1.5m (5 feet) for the best
result
For USB input – use USB 2.0 cable, USB type B plug terminated for the DAC side
Toslink input - use preferably multi-strand glass fibre type, optical audio cable
(24bit/192kHz sample rate playback through Toslink cannot be guaranteed)
BNC input – use same type of your preferred coaxial cable as for the RCA Coaxial
input, terminated with the BNC plug
TAD-1S has two toggle switches (1, 2) on the back panel
Switch 1 (three position) will let you choose between the AES/COAX, BNC and
Toslink inputs, toggle switch 2 (ON-OFF) - when activated disconnects all the SPDIF
compatible inputs and connects (via internal I 2 S interface) TAD-1S asynchronous
USB Audio module direct to the dual mono DACs inputs.
The TAD-1S will automatically choose the BNC connected digital signal source
when inputs switch 1 is in the centre `neutral` position,
In `AES/COAX` switch position, the DAC will automatically choose an active signal
source between the two
Audio outputs
For balanced outputs use screened, twisted pair cables fitted with 3pin XLR plug
(receptacle type plug for the TAD-1S end)
or
RCA analogue interconnects for single ended outputs
(RCA cables ideally no longer than 1.5m / 5 feet) between the Audio Outputs of the
TAD1 and the line level input of your preamplifier or integrated amplifier.
When using the balanced connection, the pin 2 should be “hot”, pin 3 “cold” and
pin 1 is “ground”. Make sure this complies with your other audio equipment.
(Consult with your dealer for the modifications of the cable pin connection if
necessary)
The balanced and unbalanced audio outputs should not be connected/used
simultaneously.

All digital apparatus e.g. CD/DVD Transport/Player, Music Server, computer based
music file player via USB, LD player, Satellite Set Top Box, etc. may be connected
with the TAD-1S as long as their bit resolution and sampling rate is under or equal
to 24Bit/192kHz. Most CD/DVD transports and players are equipped with a
minimum of one coaxial SPDIF output.
Most high quality CD transports are also equipped with AES/EBU output.
TAD-1S digital audio connectivity
AES/EBU balanced digital audio input
BNC digital audio input
COAXIAL digital audio input
Toslink optical digital audio input
Computer based music file player via USB 2.0 (up to 24bit/192kHz)
Before switching on
Front Panel
Switching on / off
Powering ON: “Flip” the mains power switch on the rear panel o the TAD-1S ollowed by
pushing the “Power” button on the ront panel.

Powering OFF: press the “Power” button on the ront panel o the TAD-1S
When in use at home, there is no need to switch OFF the main switch on the rear panel –
use the back panel switch to completely power o the unit when leaving the house or
longer.
IMPORTANT
Power ON the TAD-1S approx. 2 min. BEFORE switching ON your other audio
components such as amplifiers.
Make sure that the Volume control of your amplifier or pre-amplifier is in the minimum
position (volume turned down).
Switch your other audio components such as amplifiers OFF before turning OFF the TAD-
1S
Whilst the TAD-1S will sound superb from the moment it is switched on, due to the nature
of valves, its sound will improve even further as it “warms up”.
After 20 minutes it will be “on song “, after approximately 40 minutes it will reach its peak
performance.
To maximise the “life span” of the valves, it is recommended to minimise the number of
times that the unit is switched on and off - e.g. where several listening session may be
planned during the course of the day, it is better to turn the unit on before the first
session and only turn it off at the end of the final session – rather than on and off at the
end of each session. Ideally, the TAD-1S would be kept switched on.
The TAD-1S has the power consumption of 55W during normal operation (with signal
connected)
Gain Control
The signal output level (Gain) control is located in the centre o the ront panel, it is
designed to match the output level o the TAD-1S to a wide range o preampli iers and
integrated ampli iers, but can also acilitate direct connection to a power ampli iers.
Please note that when our Gain is being used as a volume control, a `pop` noise will occur
during adjustment as the stepped attenuator in TAD-1S is inter-stage directly coupled. This,
though audible, does not carry any risk or your power ampli ier or speakers.

In most circumstances, when used with a preampli ier or integrated ampli ier, the output
level o 2Vrms will be achieved at the 12 o’clock position and pro audio level o 4.2Vrms at 3
o’clock (approximate)
Lock
The Lock indicator will “light up” when the compatible digital signal is detected and the
input o DAC is synchronised with digital signal source.
The DAC is now ready to operate.
Reset
TAD-1S is equipped with a `reset` switch (non-latching) located on the back plate.
Occasionally, the digital receiver may not lock onto the signal during power up cycle (or
`hot` swapping digital input cables) Should this occur, simply single press and release the
`reset` switch. This will restart the receiver’s automatic ‘signal locking’ procedure.
Other Information
Placement
Apart rom the tubes which, by their very nature are designed to run hot, the TAD-1S is
relatively cool running and operates well below the maximum allowed temperature or
consumer audio.
It should be positioned so as to allow ree air low around it and not placed on top o other
equipment – particularly Class A ampli iers which run hot.
Possible vibrations should be minimised as ar as possible. For example; The TAD-1S must
not be placed on top o speakers. Ideally, the unit should be placed in line with (or slightly
behind) the plane o your speakers and additional bene its may be gained by placing it on a
good quality isolation plat orm.

Tube “rolling” and replacement.
Only the ront pair o matched 6N8S valves can be replaced with the same type or 6SN7,
6SN7GT or 5692 or CV181.
Please note: The protective cover will not it over the taller CV181 valves.
Use o any other valve type will damage the circuit and invalidate the warranty. In case o
“valve rolling”, the use o octal valve socket savers is strongly advisable, as any damage to
the valve sockets caused by “valve rolling” is not covered by the warranty.
The matched pair o 6N6P should be replaced with the same type only. The pair o EZ35
recti iers can be replaced with the same type or 6C5S, CV574 or 6X5GT recti iers.
IMPORTANT!
Fuse.
The unit is itted with a 1A use which is located in the IEC mains socket on the back panel –
this must be replaced only with the same amperage value! (a spare is provided in the use
“drawer”). In case o subsequent use ailure – the unit has to be send or repair
Earth connection – the unit must be earthed, this is provided by the sa ety earth contact in
IEC mains socket – make sure that your home mains electrical installation has sa ety earth
connection in order.
Removing the Valve Cover.
The valve cover is secured to the top o the unit by way o 4 hex bolts being accessible
through slots in valve cover. The cover may be removed in order to acilitate tube
replacement by using the supplied long hex key (2mm) tool to undo such bolts.
Specifications
Audio Signal Frequency Range: 5Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic range: 113dB
Digital inputs: 1x AES/EBU, 1x RCA Coaxial, 1x BNC, 1x Toslink optical, 1x asynchronous
24bit/192kHz USB 2.0 input

Output Signal Level (adjustable via gain control): 50mV to 4.4Vrms (approximate)
Analogue Output: XLR (balanced) max. 4.5Vrms- adjustable
Single ended RCA outputs 50mV to 4.4Vrms –adjustable
Output impedance: <600ohms
Total correlated jitter: <60ps
Digital input word widths supported 16-24bit
Digital input sampling requencies supported all sample rates between and included
32kHz-192kHz
Power consumption 55W
AC mains operation voltage actory set or 220-240V/50/60Hz
(100-120V/50/60Hz actory set version can be ordered at no additional cost)
Dimensions: H 15cm x W 43.5cm x D 29cm
Weight (net): 12.8kg
Shipping weight 18kg
Valve Audio Devices (VAD)
Warranty Information
Valve Audio Devices Limited warrants this product to be ree rom de ects in materials and
workmanship or a period o seven (7) years rom the date o purchase (subject to the terms
set orth below). Valve Audio Devices will repair or replace (at VAD option) this product or
any de ective parts in this product. Warranty periods may vary rom country to country. I in
doubt consult your dealer and ensure that you retain proo o purchase. To obtain warranty
service, please contact the VAD authorized dealer rom which you purchased this product. I
your dealer is not equipped to per orm the repair o your VAD product, it may be returned
by you or your dealer to Valve Audio Devices or an authorized VAD service agent.

You will need to ship this product in either its original packaging or packaging a ording an
equal degree o protection.
No later than 30 days a ter the product has been delivered to the Customer, the Customer
must have returned the Warranty Registration Form to Valve Audio Devices Limited;
(included as the last page o this manual)
Proo o purchase in the orm o a bill o sale or receipted invoice, which is evidence that
this product is within the warranty period, must be presented to obtain warranty service.
This Warranty is invalid i the actory-applied serial number and/or Warranty sticker has
been altered or removed rom this product This Warranty is invalid i the proo o purchase
cannot be presented. A return product must be accompanied by a written description o the
de ect.
Any changes or modifications to the product – apart from replacing the tubes as directed
in the user manual invalidate the 7 year warranty.
This Warranty does not cover cosmetic damage or damage due to acts o God, accident,
misuse, abuse, negligence, commercial use, or modi ication o , or to any part o , the
product. This Warranty does not cover damage due to improper operation, maintenance or
installation, or attempted repair by anyone other than Valve Audio Devices or a VAD dealer,
or authorized service agent which is authorized to do Valve Audio Devices warranty work.
Any unauthorized repairs will void this Warranty. This Warranty does not cover products
sold AS IS or WITH ALL FAULTS.
REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY ARE THE EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY OF THE CONSUMER. VALVE AUDIO DEVICES LIMITED (VAD) SHALL NOT BE LIABLE
FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED WARRANTY IN THIS PRODUCT. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY LAW, THIS
WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES
WHATSOEVER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PRACTICAL PURPOSE.
Some Countries and US states do not allow the exclusion or limitation o incidental or
consequential damages or implied warranties so the above exclusions may not apply to you.
This Warranty gives you speci ic legal rights, and you may have other statutory rights, which
vary rom state to state or country to country.
For any service, in or out o warranty, please contact your dealer.

Valve Audio Devices reserves the right to modi y the design o any product without
obligation to purchasers o previously manu actured products and to change the prices or
speci ications o any product without notice or obligation to any person.
TAD-1S DAC is a UK Patent O ice international registered design.
Valve Audio Devices Limited
17 Ashby Road, Welton, DAVENTRY
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE,
NN11 2JS, UNITED KINGDOM
Company No. 08298028
Copyright Valve Audio Devices Limited 2013

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