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© Ideon Audio – IΩN DAC & IΩN + (Pre-Amp) manual
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specifications without notice.
The Reference front end
IΩN DAC & IΩN + (Pre-Amp)
General Settings Screen
This is where you access the variable vol-
ume control, screen settings, and the sys-
tem restore utility.
Output volume / volume control
:
Fixed or
Variable.
The IΩN DAC comes
factory-set
to
fixed
vol-
ume output, -0 dB FS (full-scale). This is the
recommended setting for systems with top
class pre-amplification.
Nonetheless, the variable output level en-
ables the IΩN to be connected to a power
amplifier directly without the need of an
additional pre-amplification or attenuation
circuit. For this reason, the IΩN DAC incorpo-
rates a first-rate, hi-precision digital volume
attenuator.
Default volume level:
If you have selected the
Variable Output
, this is the output volume level
you will get, when you switch on the device.
Remember the value you choose is stored
automatically when you switch the device to
stand-by.
To protect against accidents, it is good to pro-
vide for some attenuation on start-up: depend-
ing on the amplifier’s input sensitivity -20dB to
-30 are commonly used values.
Please note that we thoroughly recommend
the use of a separate quality preamp, de-
spite the introduction of an additional elec-
tronic circuit.
Hi-precision though the IΩN’s attenuator may
be, the music lover is better served in dynam-
ic contrast, energy, and vivacity.
Note:
there may be power amps in existence
which - because of their unique impedance
and design characteristics - may not function
correctly or be incompatible with the IΩN
DAC. In those unlikely cases you would need
to use a separate preamp or integrated
amp.
Backlight level:
refers to screen brightness,
selectable values
Reset factory settings:
brings back the DAC
to factory defaults.
IMPORTANT
This is not an analog attenuator, or an analog preamp! Using it you may lose bits from
the digital reproduction affecting the sound.
To activate the IΩN DAC’s own attenuator simply click on variable output. When you
return to the main screen, the knob will function as a rotary volume control and the
amplitude level will display in the middle of the screen.
Please note that volume /amplitude levels are displayed in dB of attenuation, so the
higher the number the higher the attenuation i.e., the lower the volume.
-0dB means full
volume!
