WEISS DAC204 User manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAC204 24Bit / 192kHz D/A CONVERTER INTRODUCTION
Weiss Engineering Ltd., Florastr. 42, CH-8610 Uster, www.weiss.ch [e-mail] Page 1
DAC204
OPERATING MANUAL
Issue: August 2023

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAC204 24Bit / 192kHz D/A CONVERTER INTRODUCTION
Weiss Engineering Ltd., Florastr. 42, CH-8610 Uster, www.weiss.ch [e-mail] Page 2
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on purchasing the Weiss DAC204 D/A Converter !
The DAC204 is a stereo 24 bit / 192kHz D/A converter which
supports the following conversions:
•AES/EBU or S/PDIF on RCA to analog
•AES/EBU or S/PDIF on Toslink to analog
•USB to analog
•USB to AES/EBU on XLR, RCA, BNC
There also is the DAC205 model available which does not
have the USB related features.
Features
•Inputs: There are two AES/EBU (S/PDIF) inputs on
RCA and Toslink (optical) connectors. The sampling
frequencies supported are 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4
or 192 kHz.
In addition there is a USB input which supports
sampling frequencies of 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4,
192, 352.8, 384 kHz plus DSD64 and DSD128.
•Outputs: The outputs are balanced on XLR con-
nectors and unbalanced on RCA connectors. The
XLR outputs have a 6dB higher level than the RCA
outputs. The XLR outputs (XLR pin 2 or pin 3) must
not be shorted to ground, i.e. there is no servo cir-
cuitry implemented.
In addition there are three digital outputs with
AES/EBU format on XLR, RCA and BNC connectors.
•Output Level: Two switches allow to set 4 different
output levels at 10dB steps.
•Sampling Rates, Word-length: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96,
176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz at up to 24 Bits are
supported. Plus DSD64 and DSD128.
•Jitter suppression: Several signal reclocking
schemes are combined for a high jitter attenua-
tion.
•Converters: Oversampling sigma delta D/A con-
verters are used. Four D/A Converters per audio
channel are operated in parallel for enhanced sig-
nal to noise performance.
•Power Supply: An external power supply is used.
The required voltage is between 6V and 9V.
•Front-panel elements:
- A power on/off switch.
- An input selection switch.
- 8 LEDs for sampling frequency indication for the
USB input.
- Two switches for DSD to PCM conversion settings
selecting the sampling frequency and the word-
length at the output of the converter.
•Back-panel elements:
- Analog outputs on XLR and RCA connectors.
- Digital inputs (one RCA and one Toslink connect-
or).
- Digital outputs (one XLR, one RCA and one BNC
connector).
- USB input connector.
- External power supply connector.
- Two toggle switches for output level setting.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAC204 24Bit / 192kHz D/A CONVERTER INTRODUCTION
Weiss Engineering Ltd., Florastr. 42, CH-8610 Uster, www.weiss.ch [e-mail] Page 3

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAC204 24Bit / 192kHz D/A CONVERTER INTRODUCTION
Weiss Engineering Ltd., Florastr. 42, CH-8610 Uster, www.weiss.ch [e-mail] Page 4

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAC204 24Bit / 192kHz D/A CONVERTER OPERATION
Weiss Engineering Ltd., Florastr. 42, CH-8610 Uster, www.weiss.ch [e-mail] Page 5
OPERATION
Unpacking and Setup of the DAC204
Carefully unpack the DAC204. The following items should be
enclosed:
•The DAC204 D/A Converter unit
•A power supply
•This Owners Manual
Power Supply Connection
Connect the enclosed power supply or any other appropriate
supply to the input socket. See the Technical Data section for
more information on the power supply.
USB driver
For MacOS systems the DAC204 des not need any USB driv-
er. For Windows systems the appropriate USB driver has to
be downloaded from our website at the INT204 downloads
page. www.weiss.ch
Input Connection
The DAC204 operates either with the RCA input, the optical
Toslink input or the USB input. Select the input with the
appropriate switch. The data format can be either AES/EBU
or S/PDIF. The USB input also supports DSD64 and DSD128
streams. Note, the LEDs indicating the sampling frequency
are active for the USB input only.
Output Connection
Connect your preamplifier or power amplifier to the output
connectors of the DAC204.
Use either the symmetrical (balanced) lines (XLR) or the
asymmetrical (unbalanced) lines (RCA). It is also possible to
use both outputs simultaneously. We do not recommend to
connect a low impedance headphone and an amplifier sim-
ultaneously though, as the headphone may compromise the
signal going to the amplifier.
If the XLR outputs are used to connect to an unbalanced
input then make sure that XLR pin 1 is used for the ground
connection and XLR pin 2 is used as the hot signal. XLR pin 3
must be left open.
If there isn’t any signal at the DAC204 outputs check the
power switch / LED and also make sure the sampling fre-
quency is in the range supported. See the Technical Data
section for details.
Output Level
The output level can be set with the two switches in 10dB
steps. Four different output levels can be selected.
Downsampling
The USB input signal is treated as follows:
- Sampling frequencies between 44.1 and 192 kHz are
passed unaltered.
- Sampling frequencies of 352.8 or 384 kHz are downsam-
pled to half of their value, i.e. to 176.4 or 192 kHz.
- DSD64 or DSD128 signals are converted to PCM with the
parameters according to the settings of the switches. I.e. a
sampling frequency of 88.2 or 176.4 kHz can be selected.
Plus a word-length of 16 or 24 Bit. These selection switches
may make sense if an external D/A Converter is connected
to the digital outputs of the DAC204. If only the internal D/A
Converter is used we recommend to set the switches to
176.4 kHz and 24 Bit.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAC204 24Bit / 192kHz D/A CONVERTER TECHNICAL DATA
Weiss Engineering Ltd., Florastr. 42, CH-8610 Uster, www.weiss.ch [e-mail] Page 6
TECHNICAL DATA
Digital Inputs:
(1) RCA connector, (1) Toslink connector (optical)
- All inputs accept professional or consumer standard , i.e. accept AES/EBU or S/PDIF signals.
- Sampling frequencies: 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4 or 192 kHz on the RCA input.
- Sampling frequencies: 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0 kHz on the Toslink input.
- Maximum input word-length: 24 Bits.
(1) USB connector
- Accepted sampling frequencies: 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz, DSD64, DSD128
Analog Outputs:
(2) XLR connectors(hotoutput on pin 2, not servo controlled), DC coupled, short circuit proofoutput circuitry, Output impedance: 44 Ohm
(2) RCA connectors, DC coupled, short circuit proof output circuitry, Output impedance: 22 Ohm
Output level: Selectableby two toggle switches, 4 settings:
XLR outputs:
7.5 Vrms, +19.7 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sinewave input
2.3 Vrms, +9.7 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sinewave input
0.75 Vrms, -0.3 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sinewave input
0.23 Vrms, -10.3 dBu, with a 0 dBFS sinewave input
RCA outputs:
3.75 Vrms, +13.7dBu, with a 0 dBFS sinewave input
1.15 Vrms, +3.7dBu, with a 0 dBFS sinewave input
0.375 Vrms, -6.3dBu, with a 0 dBFS sinewave input
0.115 Vrms, -16.3dBu, with a 0 dBFS sinewave input
Digital Outputs:
(1) XLR connector, (1) RCA connector, (1) BNC connector
Synchronization:
- Synchronized via the input signal in the case of RCA or Toslink inputs. In the USB input case the DAC204 is the master clock.
- Extremely efficient Jitter attenuation.
- Sampling frequencies supported: 44.1 kHz, 48.0 kHz, 88.2kHz, 96.0kHz, 176.4khz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, DSD64, DSD128
Power:
- DC input voltage: 6 to 9 Volt
- DC input current: 1050mA at 6V, 700mA at 9V
- Power consumption: 6.3 W

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAC204 24Bit / 192kHz D/A CONVERTER TECHNICAL DATA
Weiss Engineering Ltd., Florastr. 42, CH-8610 Uster, www.weiss.ch [e-mail] Page 7
Measurements:
The measurements below have been taken at the following conditions (unless noted otherwise): 1 kHz measurement frequency,
maximum selectable output level, 192kHz sampling frequency (Fs), 22kHz measurement bandwidth, unweighted, 0 dBr equals the
output level at 0 dBFS input.
FrequencyResponse
Fs = 44.1 kHz, 0Hz-20kHz: within +- 0.25dB
Fs = 88.2 kHz, 0Hz-20kHz: within +- 0.25dB
Fs = 88.2 kHz, 0Hz-40kHz: within +- 0.8dB
Fs = 176.4 kHz, 0Hz-20kHz: within +- 0.25dB
Fs = 176.4 kHz, 0Hz-40kHz: within +- 0.8dB
Fs = 176.4 kHz, 0Hz-80kHz: within +- 2.5dB
Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise (THD+N)
−116 dBr (0.00016 %) at −3 dBFS input level
−125 dBr (0.000056 %) at −40 dBFS input level
−125 dBr (0.000056 %) at −70 dBFS input level
Linearity
At 0 dBFS to −120 dBFS input level: less than ±0.4 dB deviation from ideal
Spurious components (including harmonics)
At 0 dBFS input level, maximum output level, 1 kHz, all components at less than −120 dBr
At 0 dBFS input level, maximum output level, 4 kHz, all components at less than −115 dBr
Crosstalk
Better than 120 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz
Interchannel Phase Response
+- 0.05° 20 Hz–20 kHz
+- 0.30° 20 Hz–80 kHz