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6.2.  Analog Outputs 
6.3.  RCA – Single-ended outputs 

The RCA outputs are designed to drive a preamp, amplifier or high-impedance 
headphones, but we recommend only subwoofer.  These are AC-coupled, so there is a 
delay in the power output from them on power-on in order that the DC voltage settle-out.  
The line output level from these is 2.3VRMS in high-gain mode and 1.0VRMS in low-
gain mode.  The volume control reduces this.  On power-down, the outputs disconnect 
from the output drivers and short to ground.  When there is no valid signal, the outputs 
are disconnected from the output drivers and shorted to ground.  When  active, the 
outputs can withstand short to ground without damage to the Overdrive. 

 

6.3.1.  Headphone adapter 

A headphone adapter is provided.  The red plug on the adapter goes into the left 
channel RCA output.  

Never use standard Headphones and the balanced 

outputs to speaker system at the same time without selecting the RCA out 
Buffer - this may cause system or speaker damage.  Also avoid high static 
charge on the headphone cable when plugging it in.  Ground yourself and 
the cable contacts first.

 

6.4.  XLR – Balanced outputs 

The balanced outputs are recommended to designed to drive a preamp, amplifier or 
high-impedance balanced headphones.  These are AC-coupled, so there is a delay in 
the power output from them on power-on in order that the DC voltage settle-out.  The 
line output level from these is 4.6VRMS in high-gain mode and 2.0VRMS in low-gain 
mode. The volume control reduces this. On power-down, the outputs disconnect from 
the output drivers and short to ground.  When there is no valid signal, the outputs are 
disconnected from the output drivers and shorted to ground.  When active, the outputs 
can withstand short to ground without damage to the Overdrive. 
 

6.5.  Using both RCA and XLR outputs simultaneously  

For best performance, this is best avoided, however this is sometimes necessary in 
order to drive a subwoofer or other ancillary electronics.  Each of the 4 output drivers is 
shared between the balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs.  However, there is 
some isolation with small resistance between the XLR and RCA outputs.  If one uses all 
outputs simultaneously to a system, it is recommended that either the XLR cables or the 
RCA cables be short and low-capacitance and drive a high impedance buffer or preamp. 
If this is not possible, then switch the recessed “Normal/Bypass” switch to the Bypass 
position.  This causes the RCA outs to be driven from a separate Op-amp, isolating 
them from the XLR outputs. 

 

6.6.  DC Power Connector 

The DC power connector is a professional 5-pin high-current locking connector.  The power 
inputs are: 

? ?

+12VDC Digital Power 

? ?

Digital Ground/Return 

? ?

-18VDC Analog Power 

? ?

Analog Ground/Return

 

? ?

+18VDC Analog Power

 

 
 
 

Summary of Contents for Overdrive SE

Page 1: ...Empirical Audio Overdrive SE SX DAC User Manual 2016 ...

Page 2: ... particularly driving amps directly Other DACs sound muddy in comparison The bass is tight and the detail and imaging is more than first rate it s breathtaking Drums are rendered with more realism than any other DAC is capable of The leading and trailing edges and harmonics of percussion strings and woodwinds are delivered with true realism Even with this level of detail and dynamics it still gets...

Page 3: ...d shorter is better The output drive is sufficient for all preamps and amps and even high impedance headphones like Sennheiser 1 1 6 Selectable Digital Filters A front panel switch selects 3 digital filter responses low medium and high For most DACs these are automatically selected low for 44 1 medium for 96 and high for 192 However the Overdrive allows these to be selected manually in order to im...

Page 4: ...ront panel Up position selects volume control The switch selects between volume or line out on power up only not on the fly To make a change you must power off the Substation and back on using the front panel power switch As with all systems at initial power on the volume should be rotated to its lowest setting before playing music 4 2 Optimum Remote Control Remote volume control capability can be...

Page 5: ...ition at normal listening levels If the volume is too loud when you have the volume knob at minimum set the internal gain jumpers to the next setting The settings are illustrated on the circuit board Three volume ranges are possible The range setting provides a lower volume extreme It does not affect the maximum volume only the minimum volume If the range jumpers are set for Min the volume will ha...

Page 6: ... no DC output The three red LEDs should be on when the power cord is attached The Substation AC provides power sequencing to the Overdrive SE so it should always be powered using the front panel switch Danger never connect the Umbilical to the Overdrive with the Substation power on 5 1 Substation Front Panel The red LED indicators are top 12VDC Middle 18VDC Bottom 18VDC ...

Page 7: ...ference voltage differences with resulting high currents in the ground This can potentially damage other components in your system Power conditioners can have high impedance in the ground connection to the AC service so if you use a conditioner it is best to plug both the computer and Overdrive SE into the same conditioner Conditioners with filters generally limit the transient current flow so we ...

Page 8: ...nce is 75 ohms It is recommended that stock transports and devices other than that manufactured by Empirical Audio use a 1 5m minimum 75 ohm digital cable in order to minimize the jitter caused by reflections Devices manufactured by Empirical Audio can use a 1m 75 ohm digital cable length 6 1 3 USB or Ethernet input The USB input can be driven with a 5m 16 foot USB cable from any USB2 0 port on a ...

Page 9: ...ere is a delay in the power output from them on power on in order that the DC voltage settle out The line output level from these is 4 6VRMS in high gain mode and 2 0VRMS in low gain mode The volume control reduces this On power down the outputs disconnect from the output drivers and short to ground When there is no valid signal the outputs are disconnected from the output drivers and shorted to g...

Page 10: ... applies an equalization at the high frequencies that eliminates harshness due to high frequency pre emphasis in some recordings Down or Normal position is recommended The function does not take effect until a new track is started 7 4 High Low Gain switch left recessed This selects between high and low gain Low gain is up position and high gain is down position The function only changes on power u...

Page 11: ...7 7 Data Error Indicator Illuminated indicates that there is no valid data coming in on the selected digital input 7 8 DC Power Indicator Indicates that DC power is applied to the DC input connector ...

Page 12: ...ality and eliminated manual intervention to select sample rates If you use iTunes alone then select HiFace or Empirical AudioAsync 192 in Preferences Audio and use Utilities Midi options to select the sample rate Using iTunes alone requires you to manually select the sample rate each time you change to playback of a different sample rate 9 Quick Start up 9 1 Mac Put the supplied CDROM into your Ma...

Page 13: ...C 18VDC 18VDC from included Substation Outputs 1 RCA left and right channels 2 XLR left and right channels Controls 1 Input Select 2 De emphasis Select 3 Digital Filter Select High Medium Low 4 Line Volume Select 5 Volume knob 6 Internal jumpers for 3 volume ranges and two gain settings Electrical 1 RCA output Level 1VRMS or 2 3VRMS XLR output level 2VRMS or 4 6VRMS 2 Frequency response 20 20kHz 0...

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