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© 1990-2023 - All Rights Reserved - ECdesigns

https://www.ecdesigns.nl

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8 19

Bit-perfect test 

It is essential to test if the Toslink source that is connected to the PowerDAC-SX is setup to pass music without 
any alterations. Alterations of original music data could cause serious SQ degradation !

WHEN SOURCE IS NOT BIT-PERFECT PLAYBACK THROUGH POWERDAC AND OTHER DACS WILL NOT 
REPRODUCE THE MUSIC AS INTENDED !

Alteration to original (CD) recordings could have numerous causes e.g.

Software volume control in streamer/player/pc music application

Equalisation in streamer/player/pc music application

Sample-rate conversion in streamer/player/pc music application

Compression in streamer/player/pc music application

DSP alterations in streamer/player/pc music application

Re-clocker devices in digital signal path to PowerDAC-SX

Isolators in digital signal path to PowerDAC-SX

Other devices in digital signal path to PowerDAC-SX

Use of MQA (test) files converted to MQA

Streaming services you can’t test but they might do any of the above.

To make sure that music data is received by the PowerDAC-SX without alterations you can use the built-in 

bit-perfect tester in the PowerDAC-SX.

For this we have 4 wav test files (44.1kHz / 48kHz / 88.2kHz / 96kHz*) that can be played on your 

source (streamer/player/pc music application) to check if the music data arrives in the PowerDAC-SX 

without alteration.

This can only be tested with the PowerDAC-SX in the muting volume setting (“-“ on display). 
You have to wait until the streaming on PowerDAC-SX stops (the decimal point “.” is o

)  

before (re)trying (next) track !

Make sure that sample rate is correctly set before playback (in streamer/player/pc music application).

Now play the track, when track play is finished a “P” should be displayed, if not then playback is NOT bit-perfect.

The “P” will become “-“ after stream stops (“.” is o

).

You will have to re-run bit-perfect test if anything (any setting) is changed in your steamer/player/pc music 
application.

Download and unzip the bit-perfect test wav files using this link: pd-bitperfect-wav-files.zip

Summary of Contents for PowerDAC-SX

Page 1: ...1990 2023 All Rights Reserved ECdesigns https www ecdesigns nl 1 19 PowerDAC SX User Guide...

Page 2: ...e control Single programmable linear power supply bit shifts resistor attenuator and switch matrix are used to generate the output signal The PowerDAC SX is intended for directly driving ampli fi ers...

Page 3: ...1990 2023 All Rights Reserved ECdesigns https www ecdesigns nl 3 19 Block diagram...

Page 4: ...nd batteries are short circuit for AC So output impedance in all examples remains constant 0 5R regardless of switch position By changing the electronic switch settings we can have no voltage half pos...

Page 5: ...me control Volume is controlled by a combination of supply voltage programming 1 5 dB steps and bit shifting 6dB steps This way we can realise lossless volume control with no extra components in the s...

Page 6: ...mW 40 mW 29 mW 8 713 mV 2 24 dB 63 mW 56 mW 41 mW 9 848 mV 2 22 5 dB 90 mW 80 mW 57 mW 10 1 01 V 2 21 dB 127 mW 113 mW 82 mW 11 1 2 V 2 19 5 dB 180 mW 160 mW 115 mW 12 1 42 V 1 18 dB 252 mW 224 mW 16...

Page 7: ...ed by the PowerDAC SX without modi fi cation Auto mute When no Toslink data is received the PowerDAC SX will switch to muting after about 15 minutes When Toslink data is received again the previous vo...

Page 8: ...QA test fi les converted to MQA Streaming services you can t test but they might do any of the above To make sure that music data is received by the PowerDAC SX without alterations you can use the bui...

Page 9: ...to access the jumpers remove the PowerDAC SX TOP cover by removing 8 x 2mm hex bolts Carefully remove or place jumpers using tweezers WARNING Make sure to re install the jumper on the far right after...

Page 10: ...e you can download the STM Cube programmer The email sent to you contains the Download now button to start the download Goto link below to download the STM Cube programmer Win Lin Mac https www st com...

Page 11: ...nd USB cable connection Now press the Connect button Then use the Open fi le button to load the fi rmware fi le Click the Download button to load fi rmware fi le in the PowerDAC SX After message File...

Page 12: ...ystem change directory to the directory containing the dfu util executable for your operating system Disconnect the mains power cable from the PowerDAC SX Us tweezers to set jumpers to PROGRAM con fi...

Page 13: ...IR Remote Control is an optional product that can be used with the PowerDAC SX The IR Remote Control can be used to Increase volume Decrease volume Mute Un mute The IR Remote Control can be recharged...

Page 14: ...onnect to PC Host Streamer The UT192 has both optical Toslink output ElectroTos output We found that using highest sample rates some optical Toslink cables would not work Depending on the quality of t...

Page 15: ...links so a suitable translator or source are required We o ff er a USB to ElectroTos translator that outputs ElectroTos ElectroTos can operate with standard S PDIF protocol compatible with existing DA...

Page 16: ...t selected The only solution to use multiple S PDIF inputs without causing extra noise injection into the PowerDAC is to move them outside the PowerDAC One possible solution is using an external input...

Page 17: ...r the Hi fi Berry Digi HAT you can connect the PowerDAC SX using a Toslink cable It supports 44 1kHz 48kHz 88 2kHz 96kHz 176 4kHz 192kHz Be sure to set Audio Volume Control to fi xed at 100 set Audio...

Page 18: ...th correct settings on MacOS Vox with correct settings on MacOS Swinsian with volume push to max after program start on MacOS VLC with volume set to 100 on MacOS VLC with volume set to 100 and special...

Page 19: ...is able to produce bit perfect output to PowerDAC piCore player with correct settings and volume 100 on RPI If you use playback hardware with our PowerDACs and you have successfully run bit perfect te...

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