DA11
Operation
14
The display reverts to “LE” approximately ten seconds after the last Volume control input (front
panel up/down switch or infrared remote). This indicates that the settings have been stored in
non-volatile memory. Any time the volume is adjusted, the display will change
from “LE” back to
the numerical volume setting in Operating mode.
Determining the Correct DA11 Volume Setting for Your System-
Please be certain to configure the outputs of the DA11 for the proper balanced or unbalanced
setting to match the wiring and inputs of your system. See the section titled CONFIGURING THE
XLR OUTPUTS for details.
There are two ways the DA11 can be used to listen to digital audio sources through speakers:
1.) Connect the main output of the DA11 to the input of a receiver or preamp, set the DA11 to a
“fixed” level, and adjust the speaker volume using the volume control of the receiver or preamp.
2.) Connect the main output of the DA11 directly to the input of a power amp or powered monitors
and use the Volume control of the DA11 to adjust the speaker volume.
PLEASE NOTE: When operating the DA11 connected directly to a power amp or powered
monitors, it is important to reduce the VOLUME of the DA11 to a very low setting BEFORE
turning the AC power
of the power amp or monitors “ON!”
Because the DA11 is capable of driving professional level balanced inputs as well as consumer
level unbalanced (RCA) inputs, some care is needed when using the DA11 with unbalanced
consumer HiFi equipment. Although exceeding the absolute maximum input level is not likely to
cause damage, it will reduce the quality of the listening experience. The first time you use the
DA11 feeding equipment with a volume control, it is recommended that you start with the DA11 at
a very low setting, and raise the volume on the preamp or receiver to a level you would use to
listen to other inputs (Phono or FM radio, for example). Switch to the input that the DA11 is
feeding, and raise the Volume setting of the DA11 until the acoustic volume is the same as other
sources. Matching the acoustic level between sources will almost certainly mean you are not
exceeding the input rating of your equipment!
There is wide variation in the absolute maximum input level that HiFi equipment is capable of
accepting without distortion. When this level is exceeded, the music program can be distorted
regardless of the volume setting of the HiFi equipment because the distortion can be caused
before
the volume control. This could also occur when feeding a power amp or powered monitors
directly, especially if the
input level control of the power amp/monitors is turned “down” very low.
It would be harder to detect in this situation, because the corresponding acoustic volume would
typically be very loud.
- Most consumer equipment with RCA inputs are designed to operate with an absolute maximum
input level of 2V rms (which is 5.6 V peak-to-peak). When operating in unbalanced configuration,
the VOLUME setting
on the DA11 that corresponds to this level is “46.”
It is recommended to
check the specifications and confirm this corresponds to the absolute maximum input rating of
your equipment according to the manufacturer! If it does not, you should determine the correct
setting of the DA11 that is the absolute maximum setting for your system.
Please see the section
titled
“Determining the Correct DA11 Volume Setting for other input ratings” (below).
- For professional equipment with balanced inputs, a VOLUME setting of 56 corresponds to
+24dBu. Some professional equipment has a maximum input rating of +18 dBu, which
corresponds to the VOLUME setting
of “50” on the DA11 for balanced operation and “56” for
unbalanced operation.
In cases where the DA11 is feeding a consumer receiver or preamp, once the absolute maximum
level has been established, the actual level used for typical listening may be lower than this value.
As a rule, if you switch between analog sources on the receiver or preamp and there is a large
Summary of Contents for DA11
Page 4: ...DA11 Table of Contents ...
