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10 

 
Frequently Asked Questions 

 
 

Why is there no sound from my speakers? 

- Check that input and output cables are plugged in all the way at both ends. 

- Are your preamplifier and power amplifier turned on?  Is the correct input selected on the preamplifier? 

- Make sure you have selected the correct input on your Zdac. 

- Are your headphones plugged in to the Zdac? 

- If you are trying to listen to a DVD or Blu-ray, ensure that you have set the DVD/Blu-ray player to 

output only Stereo PCM Audio (2.0).  The Zdac will not decode Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound. 

- If you are trying to listen to a connection from an HD TV, ensure that you have set the TV to output 

only Stereo PCM Audio (2.0).  The Zdac will not decode Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound. 

 

Why is there no sound from my headphones? 

- Check that input cables are plugged in all the way at both ends. 

- Make sure you have selected the correct input. 

- Is the headphone volume knob turned down?

 

 

I have a USB problem 

Check if the Zdac is recognized as a USB device in your computer’s control panel.   

If not, remove the USB cable from the computer and re-insert it.  Your computer should indicate that it 
has found and identified the Zdac. 

If it doesn’t, then try rebooting it with the Zdac connected. 

- Turn off the Zdac for about 10 seconds and turn it on again. 

- Is your computer operating correctly?  Is the music playing or paused? 

 

I can hear a hum or buzzing noise from my speakers and headphones 

Cable TV

 is the most common source of hum. If you have a cable TV box connected to your audio 

system temporarily remove the cable from the Cable TV box.  If the hum goes away the problem is the 
cable TV ground.  You will need a Cable TV ground isolator which is an inexpensive device that 
attaches between your TV cable and the Cable TV box.  

 

- Light Dimmers can cause noise in your audio. Try turning lights that are controlled by dimmers all the 

way off.  If the hum goes away the problem is the effect the dimmers have on your AC power.  A line 
conditioner might help. 

- Ground Loops are a common cause of hum and buzzing noise.  Finding a ground loop is a process of 

elimination.  Unplug your source components one at a time.  When the hum goes away you’ve 
identified the source of the ground loop.  You might be able to stop the hum by attaching a wire from 
the chassis of the offending component to the chassis or ground screw of your preamplifier.   

 

 

Summary of Contents for Zdac

Page 1: ...Zdac 192kHz Digital to Analog Converter OWNER S GUIDE ...

Page 2: ...n If the Zdac should require warranty repair you will need its original carton and foam packing inserts to ship it Please do not throw away the carton or foam packing inserts Parasound Zdac Serial ______________________________ Parasound Dealer ___________________________________ Parasound Dealer Phone Number _______________________ Date of Purchase ____________________________________ Important W...

Page 3: ...4 115V 230V AC Mains Voltage 5 Connecting Your Zdac 6 Operating Your Zdac 8 Zdac Headphone Listening 8 USB Computer Setup 9 Use With a DVD or Blu ray Player 9 Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting 10 If You Require Assistance or Warranty Repair 11 Specifications 12 ...

Page 4: ...tween other components A ventilation fan is also recommended where other heat producing equipment must be mounted close to the Zdac If you re installing the Zdac yourself use input and output cables that are long enough to leave at least two feet of slack that will enable you to pull the Zdac out of a cabinet to check or to change connections without inadvertently disconnecting cables If you re pu...

Page 5: ...ine voltages between 110V 120V which is correct for North America including Mexico and also in Taiwan In some countries such as Brazil AC voltages are different by region Most other countries require setting it to 230V With the 230V setting the Zdac can operate safely with AC line voltages between 220V 240V If you are not certain of your local AC voltage call your dealer The following website will...

Page 6: ... from your source to the Zdac Coax Coaxial The Coax input connector is an RCA jack also called S PDIF It is compatible with any S PDIF coaxial digital output The coaxial input accepts these standard sampling rates 8kHz 11 025kHz 16kHz 32 kHz 44 1kHz 48kHz 88 2kHz 96kHz 176kHz 192kHz It accepts16 bit and 24 bit word lengths Note Please use a 75 ohm digital interconnect cable Standard audio and vide...

Page 7: ...servers such as Sonos or Squeezebox Never connect the Zdac directly to a power amplifier if you have a digital source without its own volume control connected to one of the Zdac s inputs This could result in a very loud blast of sound that could damage your loudspeakers or hearing Non variable digital sources include all CD DVD Blu ray players cable sat boxes and the optical output from an HD tele...

Page 8: ...driven by a high current low noise operational amplifier running in pure class A It can drive headphones from 32 ohms to 600 ohms at substantial undistorted listening levels If your headphones use a 6 3mm plug you can use a 6 3mm to 3 5mm stereo adaptor for the Zdac headphone jack Some headphones include this adapter Note The Zdac s Analog XLR and RCA output jacks will be automatically muted whene...

Page 9: ...he Control Panel and select the Zdac as the default playback device For a Mac with OS X Go to the Apple Menu Select System Preferences Select Sound from the Hardware Menu Select ZDAC in the Sounds Menu Playing Music From Your Computer Once initial setup is complete your Zdac will be ready for use with your PC or Mac Simply start playing any music on your computer and it will be sent to the Zdac vi...

Page 10: ...nd re insert it Your computer should indicate that it has found and identified the Zdac If it doesn t then try rebooting it with the Zdac connected Turn off the Zdac for about 10 seconds and turn it on again Is your computer operating correctly Is the music playing or paused I can hear a hum or buzzing noise from my speakers and headphones Cable TV is the most common source of hum If you have a ca...

Page 11: ...ty Unit is not eligible for repair under the terms of the Parasound warranty if 1 Unit was not purchased from a Parasound Authorized Dealer 2 You do not have the original bill of sale or sales receipt from a Parasound Authorized Dealer 3 You are not the original owner The Parasound warranty is not transferable 4 Unit s serial number was removed modified or defaced 5 Unit shows evidence of abuse an...

Page 12: ...z 20 kHz Signal to Noise Ratio 110 dB A weighted THD Noise 0 015 Audio Output Level Unbalanced 2 1V rms Balanced 4 2V rms Output Impedance Line out 160 ohms balanced or unbalanced Headphone out 10 ohms AC Power Requirement 10 watts 110 130 VAC 60 Hz 220 240 VAC 50 Hz voltage is selected on the chassis bottom Dimensions Width 9 5 241 mm black 8 5 220 mm silver Depth 10 254 mm Height with feet 2 51 ...

Page 13: ...13 Installation Notes ...

Page 14: ...14 Parasound Products Inc 2250 McKinnon Ave San Francisco CA 94124 Customer Service 415 397 7100 www parasound com ...

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