ESI Dr.
DAC
prime
4
1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the ESI Dr. DAC prime.
Dr. DAC prime provides everything you need in order to listen to digital music with pristine audio
quality on the road or at your home. Dr. DAC prime works with up to 24bit/192kHz and is not only
equipped with both an optical (via the included miniplug-toslink adapter) and coaxial S/PDIF input
but also with a full USB audio interface (up to 24bit/96kHz) for bit-perfect audio transfer.
Optionally the incoming signal can be upsampled to 192kHz, using a TI SRC4382 high end sample
rate converter. The actual analog output signal is generated by a TI PCM1796 DAC with 123dB(a)
dynamic range, featuring a full differential output with 3 LME49860NA opamps (8 pin) which are
conveniently placed on sockets. The built-in headphone amplifier provides 1/8" and 1/4"
connectors. The line output volume can be adjusted or fixed to send out the maximum dynamic
range. But Dr. DAC prime is much more: it provides line inputs (AKM AK5386 ADC with 110dB)
as well as optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs, allowing you to record your own signals with
excellent audio quality. Dr. DAC prime works under Windows XP, Windows Vista/7 as well as
Mac OS X even without the installation of any driver software – that's Plug & Play in perfection, it
could not be more simple.
2. Description
2.1 Front Panel
The front panel provides the following connectors and functions from left to right:
POWER switch
: the
POWER
switch allows you to switch Dr. DAC prime
ON
or off (
STANDBY
).
MUTE switch
: the
MUTE
switch allows you to mute the line output signal.
UPSAMPLE switch
: this switch can be set to
192kHz
to enable upsampling of all incoming digital
signals to 192kHz sample rate, to disable that function set it to
BYPASS
.
SOURCE switch
: this 3-way switch allows you to select the signal source to be sent out through the
line, headphone and S/PDIF digital outputs. It can be set to
ANALOG
(line input),
USB
(computer
playback) or
DIGITAL
(optical or coaxial S/PDIF input).
VOLUME knob
: this gain potentiometer allows you to control the output level of the headphone
output as well as the line output (if the that has not been set to a fixed output level via the switch on
the back panel).
