Wadax Arcadia DAC User manual
USER MANUAL
Thank you for purchasing the WADAX Arcadia DAC.
Please take some time to read this manual.
It will provide you with useful information to make your pleasure of listening even higher.
3
Index
Introduction 4
Set-up and Installation 6
nPreliminaries 6
nUnpacking 6
nChoice of DAC location 7
nSetup Guide 8
nConnections 9
nSettings 11
Recommendations to obtain the best results 13
nCleaning 13
Specifications 15
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INTRODUCTION
ARCADIA DAC - Digital to Analogue Converter
Arcadia DAC is an extremely high-quality universal Digital to Analogue converter. Equipped with
modular digital inputs and analog outputs, Arcadia DAC is for any user seeking a unique, immer-
sive, playback experience - it can be integrated into any system or can become part of the Wadax
System concept.
DAC accepts inputs for streaming applications – USB - and hi-fi equipment –AES-EBU, SPDIF RCA,
SPDIF BNC, AES-EBU. It can also be connected to any amplifier through its singled-ended or balanced
outputs. Internal design follows a true-balanced topology, and it has digital outputs in order to connect
DAC with Arcadia Transport for a lossless connection.
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No connection or manipulation may be made before reading these instructions and ob-
serving all safety warnings. This extremely high quality DAC possesses new technical fea-
tures which are or will become necessary for accurate amplification of high quality sources.
Observe general electrical safety precautions particularly with regard to avoiding water,
moisture and heat. To reduce the risk of electric shock do not remove the covers and refer
servicing to qualified personnel. The installation instructions must be carried out in full and
the mentioned precautions taken to provide the satisfaction Arcadia DAC is designed to
provide and to avoid jeopardizing personal and equipment safety or impairing performance.
Nevertheless, in Arcadia DAC, Wadax engineering excellence delivers extreme performance
in a simple and convenient format that we hope you will enjoy for many years to come.
WARNING!
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For exacting technicians, musicians, and all high-fidelity music purists who demand the very best in
reproduction, we strongly recommend the use of top quality Pre-amplifier and Power amplifiers. The
connection between the analog sources and the preamplifier as well as between the preamplifier and
the power amplifiers are also critical. Ultra low reflection interconnect cables are absolutely mandatory
to retain the time integrity that the preamplifier is designed to provide.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
PRELIMINARIES
You will find within the WADAX Arcadia DAC transit box:
nArcadia DAC
nThis manual.
Please keep the packaging in case you need to transport Arcadia DAC any time in the future. This
packaging has been designed specifically to protect Arcadia DAC in transit.
Use of alternative packaging is likely to result in damage, invalidating warranty cover.
UNPACKING
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The Wadax Arcadia DAC has been especially designed to minimize vibration effects on the audiocir-
cuits. The DAC has been designed with four adjustable conical feet. These are used to ensure proper
vibration transmission to the DAC support in order to evacuate all detrimental vibrations inside the unit,
following Wadax Mechalock fundamentals.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
CHOICE OF DAC LOCATION
If the line voltage provided is not appropriate as supplied, please consult your dealer.
ATTENTION: At the 220V setting, the Wadax Arcadia DAC will function properly for main line vol-
tages between 200V and 240V. At the 110V position, the main line must deliver between 105 and
125V. If your main supply operates out of these tolerances, please consult your Wadax dealer.
This fuse is located on the power cord receptacle and can be accessed by raising the cover
using a small screwdriver when the power cord has been removed (ensuring power is discon-
nected before handling). Use a 2.5A slowblow fuse. Always ensure that the fuse cover is fitted.
WARNING!
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Warning! Always remember that a plug with bared connectors is dangerous if in contact
with a live socket. This appliance must be earthed. Connect the non-rewireable power cord
supplied to the back of the power supply and plug it into the nearest wall plug. Use only a 3
lugs grounded plug, for safety and noise reasons. Replacement mains leads can be obtai-
ned from your Wadax retailer. To get the best sound of the DAC, avoid any multiple plugs or
extension cords.
Warning! Take care to always handle the cable by the connectors. Never twist the cable ex-
cessively or attempt to connect or disconnect the connector by handling the cable body in
place of the connector.
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
CONNECTIONS
9
CONNECTIONS
serviceport
outputright
voltageselector
inputs
power in (DC)
power in (AC)
outputleft
CONTROLS
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SETTINGS
TO CHANGE THE SETTINGS IN ARCADIA DAC, A SERIES OF KEY COMBINATIONS ARE REQUIRED.
OUTPUT LEVEL: PRESS USB + AUX KEY SIMULTANEOUSLY
LEVEL WILL CHANGE IN THE SEQUENCE 1Vrms, 2Vrms, 4Vrms.
LEVEL CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE NUMBER OF LIGHTS:
1Vrms: Toslink
2Vrms: Toslink+AES/EBU
4Vrms: Toslink+AES/EBU+WadaxLink
ABSOLUTE PHASE: PRESS USB+SPDIF SIMULTANEOUSLY
STATUS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE NUMBER OF LIGHTS:
Normal: Toslink
Inverted:AES/EBU
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SETTINGS
RESTORE DEFAULTS: PRESS USB+WadaxLink SIMULTANEOUSLY
STATUS REPORT FROM ARCADIA DAC: Confirms the comand blinkink alternatively AES/EBU yTOS-
LINK
FULL musIC CHIP PERFORMANCE MODE: PRESS SPDIF+TOSLINK SIMULTANEOUSLY
STATUS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE NUMBER OF LIGHTS:
Normal: AES/EBU BLINKS
Inverted:Ultra performance mode: Toslink+AES/EBU+WadaxLink
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Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe dust off the music system. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Wipe
dust off the surfaces using a dry, soft cloth. To remove stains or dirt, use a soft,.damp cloth and a solution of
water and mild detergent, such as washing-up liquid.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO OBTAIN THE BEST RESULTS
1. Warm-up Sonic Effect:
If Arcadia DAC has been left un-powered for some time, the optimum sound quality may only be attai-
ned after 6 TO 24 hours. Sometimes this can extend to a few days. The critical circuits have to warm up
to around +55 degrees Celsius (+131 degrees Fahrenheit) before achieving their optimal performances.
This is why WADAX recommends that Arcadia DAC is always powered on.
2. Preferred input sources:
USB is the recommended source for the ultimate musical experience.
Atlantis Server is the recommended source for High Resolution PCM content.
3. Preferred output is XLR balanced.
4. Earthing post:
It is recommened to try results using earthing products. They can potentially improve final results.
CLEANING
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Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Environmental protection
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have issued the
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. The purpose of the Directive
is the prevention of waste of electrical and electronic equipment, and to promote
the reuse and recycling and other forms of recovery of such waste. As such the Di-
rective concerns producers, distributors and consumers.
The WEEE directive requires that both manufacturers and end-consumers dispose of
electrical and electronic equipment and parts in an environmentally safe manner, and that equipment and
waste are reused or recovered for their materials or energy. Electrical and electronic equipment and parts
must not be disposed of with ordinary household refuse; all electrical and electronic equipment and parts
must be collected and disposed of separately. Products and equipment which must be collected for reuse,
recycling and other forms of recoveryare marked with the pictogram shown.
When disposing of electrical and electronic equipment by use of the collection systems available in
your country, you protect the environment, human health and contribute to the prudent and rational
use of natural resources. Collecting electrical and electronic equipment and waste prevents the po-
tential contamination of nature with the hazardous substances which maybe present in electrical and
electronic products and equipment.
Your Wadax retailer will assist with and advise you of the correct way of disposal in your country.
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SPECIFICATIONS:
Arcadia DAC
Power consumption ON/Stand-by: 50W/<7W
Inputs:
USB (32-384KHz, 16-24-32 bits, DSD64, DSD128, MQA*)
SPDIF RCA (32-192KHz)
SPDIF BNC(32-192KHz)
AES-EBU XLR(32KHz-192KHz)
Native Wadax Link (reserved for future use)
Max output voltage RCA/XLR per leg: 1V / 2V / 4Vrms.
Weight: 18Kg / 40Lbs.
Dimensions: 483mm / 19,01 inches (Width) x 100mm / 3,93 inches (Height) x 344mm /13,54 inches (Depth).
Power: 100V/110V/220V, switchable.
Service ports: Ethernet and USB.
This product is in conformity with the provisions of the Directives 1999/5/EC and 2006/95/EC.
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7.1210.50
344.05
25.3930.00379.3830.0017.46
22.3936.00373.3836.0015.36
483.14
99.62
SPECIFICATIONS:
Arcadia DAC
18
NOTES
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