Auralic ARK MX+ User Manual Download Page 3

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Welcome

 

 
Thanks for choosing AURALiC product. ARK MX+ is a 32Bit/192KHz USB D/A Converter, 
which is created for modern leisure lifestyle. It is advanced in design, powerful in functions 
and precise in musical representation. To achieve the goal of perfect music replay, AU-
RALiC offers multiple original technical solutions by managing to combine the advanced 
digital technology and the sophisticated analog circuit.

 

 

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AURALiC Sanctuary Audio Processor 

The heart of ARK MX+ is AURALiC Sanctuary audio processor, which is jointly made 
by AURALiC and its technical partner: Archwave AG in Swiss. Sanctuary is based on 
multi-core ARM architecture, with the calculating capability as high as 1000MIPS, it 
could handle 32Bbit/192KHz multi-channel real-time audio stream.

 

   

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ActiveUSB™ 

Resorting to the ActiveUSB™ technology from AURALiC, ARK MX+ overcomes the 
transmission limitation from traditional Asynchronous USB which could only /- 
one clock cycle error of data package in isochronous clock. With mass data buffer 
technology and multi-stage, high resolution PLL circuit, ARK MX+ could buffer audio 
stream as long as 2 seconds, which prevent time-based jitter resulted from the limi-
tation of computer. 

 

   

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Self-adapted upsampling circuit 

Upsampling to higher sample rates make improvements to fine detail, sound stage 
depth and image separation. The self-adapted upsampling circuit inside ARK MX+ 
could automatically choose the best upsampling ratio; it could convert 44.1KHz & 
88.2KHz to 176.4KHz or 48KHZ & 96KHz to 192KHz. Such self-judgment uses pro-
prietary interpolation technology to provide the highest possible fidelity at all sampling 
rates from 44.1KHz to 192KHz so as to precisely restore the originality of music by 
avoiding the signal distortion from non-integer ratio upsampling algorithm. 

 

 

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Low noise DC amplification circuit 

ARK MX+’s analog circuit adopts low noise DC amplification circuit designed by 
AURALiC. All the components have been manually examined and preciously 
matched. Low noise DC amplification circuit is the working fruit from our engineering 
team after long-term design and optimization. It is low in noise and distortion but wide 
in dynamic range. Moreover, since there is no couple capacitance in signal path, the 
purity of audio signal could be ensured; thus, the music turns out to be naturally alive 
and silky smooth.

 

 
For us, ARK MX+ is an artistic work that bears our dream and glory. Restless technical 
innovation, meticulous working attitude together with perfect manufacturing requirements 
are to spare no efforts from us making your private music hall better than ever. 

Summary of Contents for ARK MX+

Page 1: ...sion 1 1 ALIC LIMITED 9C LOCKHART e 852 6852 33 l support aural AR T CENTRE 301 3 312 Fax 852 8 lic com Website K MX 32 USER 307 LOCKHART 199 9198 www auralic co 2Bit 192K R S G T ROAD HK om KHz USB A UIDE Audio D A Conver rter ...

Page 2: ... or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual AURALiC inspire the music ActiveUSB AFN402 Alire Purer Power and their graphic logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of AURALiC in the Hong Kong and or other countries AURALiC s trademarks may not be used in connection with any product or service that is not AURALiC s in any manner that is likely to cause confusion...

Page 3: ... Self adapted upsampling circuit Upsampling to higher sample rates make improvements to fine detail sound stage depth and image separation The self adapted upsampling circuit inside ARK MX could automatically choose the best upsampling ratio it could convert 44 1KHz 88 2KHz to 176 4KHz or 48KHZ 96KHz to 192KHz Such self judgment uses pro prietary interpolation technology to provide the highest pos...

Page 4: ...SB Driver Control Panel 12 Playback Software Setting 14 Use S PDIF Single Ended Digital Input 16 How to Achieve Better Sound Quality 17 Maintenance Service 18 Maintenance 18 Service 18 Contact 18 Troubleshooting 19 No Power 19 No Sound or Low Output 19 Distorted or Partial Sound 19 Noise Hum 19 Specifications 20 EC Declaration of Conformity 21 AURALiC Product Registration Form 23 ...

Page 5: ...le z Do not use the product near water i e near a bathtub kitchen sink laundry tub in a wet basement near a swimming pool etc z Do not install the product near heat sources such as radiators heat registers stoves or other apparatus that produce heat See Placement and Cabling on page 7 z Do not let objects or liquids fall into the product Do not expose the product to dripping or splashing Do not pl...

Page 6: ...an authorized AURALiC repair agency Work done by unauthorized persons will void any and all warranty coverage AURALiC products are uniquely identified with a serial number S N on the back of the unit This number is required to validate your warranty Please reference your serial number if service is required Before the product can be returned for service an RMA Return Material Authorization number ...

Page 7: ...led in a space with at least one inch of clearance above behind and on both sides of its enclosure to provide adequate ventilation Avoid placing it directly above other equipment that produces heat Check Your AC Mains Voltage ARK MX is shipped with its mains voltage preset for operation in the destination country The mains voltage setting is written on the back of the unit right besides power cord...

Page 8: ...ly howev potential ele of ARK MX with its pin 2 ou are abou se make su 8 re shown as 5 tput 6 ut 7 8 your system nt damage to FF ARK MX g outputs of ver it is still ectromagnet is 2Vrms o 2 as positive ut to connect re it will not following AES EBU USB 2 0 C S PDIF Sin AC Mains m before any o the device BEFORE f ARK MX l strongly re ic interferen f RCA single e This outp t ARK MX overdrive th Bala...

Page 9: ...y connecting to the computer via USB 2 0 port ARK MX delivers bit perfect audio stream with format up to 32Bit 192KHz Specific drivers are required for operation under Windows PC system please refer to Driver Installation on page 10 When you use the USB 2 0 port please make sure there is no signal presents at digital input port to avoid any possible synchronization issue z S PDIF Single Ended Digi...

Page 10: ...k folder A is shown a operate the current work ff to work g sampling r above syste on AURALi on under Mic nstalls ARK ntrol Panel 64bit and a X to the ma ovided DO N ARKMXPLU 10 as following 2 e rotary pow k status of AR rate in progr em natively iC Sanctuar crosoft Wind K MX s AS on your W a spare USB ains supply NOT POWE US_USBDriv Rotary Pow wer switch in RK MX ress support US ry USB drive dows...

Page 11: ...hoose the installation folder location by clicking Browse if required or else use the de fault recommended click Install Installation will then proceed Since ARK MX drivers have not been submitted for Win dows Logo testing warnings will be issued during installa tion Select Continue anyway when these occur ...

Page 12: ...ion without additional setting AU RALiC also provides a control panel program with advanced options for future tuning Start AURALiC USB Driver Control Panel select Synchronisation on the left hand side you will see the following interface When you see this notice please power on ARK MX and press OK setup program will install device automatically You will see the Windows pop up notice after ARK MX ...

Page 13: ... changed by playback program or by manual z Sampling Rate Sampling rate option shows current work sampling rate of ARK MX It is usually set by playback program automatically but you can change it by manual here z Clock Source You may select different master clock of ARK MX by changing this option Device In ternal Clock is the default setting which actives AURALiC s ActiveUSB technology and provide...

Page 14: ...depth when playback using WDM output This value is set to maximum by default try to set a lower buffer depth if possible Buffer depth settings will affect jitter performance of ARK MX which results in different sound quality It is always recommended to set the value as low as possible A modern PC with a clean Windows system should be able to replay music without interrupt at all three buffer depth...

Page 15: ..._out_asio dll file to the components folder under foobar2000 folder for example C Program Files foobar2000 components z Start foobar2000 program click File on menu and select Preferences to open preferences window Click Playback Output then select ASIO Virtual Devices Select Add New open ASIO Virtual Device Editor window Map the Line 1 O L as Left and Line 1 O R as Right to active the analog outpu...

Page 16: ... in foobar2000 You can download the ASIO output pre set foobar2000 program at AURALiC s website under Drivers and Manuals section Use S PDIF Single Ended Digital Input ARK MX will act as a standalone D A Converter when using the S PDIF digital input To use the digital input please refer to the following steps z Power off ARK MX first connect digital input to digital source by a 75 ohm digital cabl...

Page 17: ... system latency and degrade sound quality ARK MX s Windows drivers include a specific ASIO driver it is highly recommended to use audiophile grade software such as foobar2000 J River Media Center which support ASIO output for bit perfect playback Process a Windows system optimization will remarkably improve the sound quality AU RALiC finds CPlay with cMP to be the best sounding playback software u...

Page 18: ...ct your dealer or AURALiC Do not void the warranty by allowing unauthorized personnel to attempt repairs Do not attempt to service the product yourself Opening the cover may expose you to dangerous voltage as well as void the warranty Before ARK MX can be returned for service an RMA Return Material Authorization number must be issued by AURALiC Contact your dealer or AURALiC for further infor mati...

Page 19: ... at one time please be sure to disconnect either of these two s cables z Try rebooting the ARK MX by cycling the power power off the ARK MX then power on again Distorted or Partial Sound z Check the output cables between the ARK MX and the preamplifier power amplifi ers active loudspeakers making sure all connections are good and sound z Make sure that all speaker connections are tight and that th...

Page 20: ...ded Analog Output 2Vrms into 5Kohm AES EBU Digital Output Input Port USB 2 0 Port 44 1 192KHz up to 32Bit S PDIF Digital Input 44 1 192KHz up to 24Bit Power Dissipation 20 Watts Dimension 11 W x 9 D x 2 6 H 33cm x 23cm x 6 5cm Weight 12 lbs 5 5kg Digital output supports 44 1 192KHz sampling rate up to 24Bit USB 2 0 Port works under Windows XP Vista 7 Apple OS X 10 6 4 and above only All specificat...

Page 21: ...ed by full compliance with the following standards EN60065 2002 General requirements The conformity of the designated product with the provisions of Directive number 89 336 EEC EMC is proved by full compliance with the following standards EN55013 2001 Conducted emissions EN55013 2001 Absorbed emissions EN55020 2002 Immunity The conformity of the designated product with the provisions of Directive ...

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Page 23: ...ALiC Product Registration Form Owner Information Your Name Street Address City Zip Code Country Email Telephone Product Information Product Type Serial Number Dealer Name Purchase Date Purchase Price Currency ...

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