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automatic detection of sampling

frequency and pre-emphasis

The DAC20 automatically detects the

sampling frequency of the incoming 

digital data stream and switches its internal

circuits to match. If the original recording

was made with pre-emphasis, the DAC20

will automatically switch on de-emphasis

to take advantage of it.

high-quality analogue output

With all our effort on the digital side 

(and we have only listed a few topics here),

we have not forgotten the analogue music

reproduction, which is as important as the

recovery of the music from the digital 

domain. The analogue circuit in the DAC20

is a ‘no-compromise’ design using high-

quality, high-stability components to send a

smooth, clean signal to your amplifier for

excellent sound quality. The analogue

output terminals are duplicated for your

convenience.

The DAC20 combines digital precision

with analogue purity.

stable internal clock

The timing of the data is as important as

the data itself. Timing inaccuracy, known

as ‘jitter’, is responsible for a wide range

of subtle distortions. In the DAC20, jitter 

is reduced to an absolute technical

minimum by a very stable electronic clock

which is synchronised to the incoming

digital data stream to provide accurate

timing. The retimed output is sent to a

digital 75 

coaxial SPDIF output for 

digital recording purposes, as well as to 

the analogue section of the converter.

HDCD

®

decoding

HDCD

®

(High Definition Compatible 

Digital) is a proprietary technique 

developed by Pacific Microsonics Incor-

porated. Using HDCD

®

, the recording

engineer can record the music at a higher

resolution and quality than on a standard

CD. A digital to analogue converter with an

HDCD

®

facility, such as the DAC20,

is necessary to make use of this higher

resolution.The DAC20 recognises

recordings made with HDCD

®

encoding and

applies the appropriate decoding to make

use of the improved music information.

multiple input formats

The DAC20 accepts digital data in three

different formats: SPDIF 75 

coaxial

using both phono and BNC connectors;

optical EIAJ using TOSLINK

connectors

and, for optimum noise rejection,

AES/EBU 110 

, balanced, transformer-

coupled using XLR connectors. Input can

be selected from one of the three optical

inputs, one of the three coaxial inputs or

from the AES/EBU input.

06

welcome

07

welcome

GRA00046.1-[CA]DAC20  13/03/01  10:05  Page 7

Summary of Contents for DAC20

Page 1: ... A L I N P U T spdif 75 ohm C O A X I A L O U T P U T fuse carrier optical input sockets coaxial input sockets analog output sockets AES EBU input socket digital output socket ac supply socket DAC 1234567 c o n t e n t s 0 2 welcome 0 8 key features 1 0 getting started 1 2 input types 1 4 selecting an input 1 5 muting 1 6 HDCD decoding 1 7 sampling frequency 1 8 jitter reduction 1 9 de emphasis 2 ...

Page 2: ...nal excellence and sheer listening pleasure celebrating a TAG McLaren victory All TAG companies perpetually strive for and achieve excellence and high performance in every area of their business These qualities are demonstrated in the fastidious standards that makeTAG Heuer watches some of the world s most admired in the teamwork that makesTAG McLaren s motor racing team one of the most successful...

Page 3: ...oup allow a more accurate representation of the music information during its processing The DAC20 uses 24 bits eight bits more than a CD s original recording which results in higher signal resolution and more precise sound details welcome welcome 05 04 Thank you for purchasing theTAG McLaren Audio digital to analogue converter DAC20 digital filtering By its nature digital data generates unwanted h...

Page 4: ...reduced to an absolute technical minimum by a very stable electronic clock which is synchronised to the incoming digital data stream to provide accurate timing The retimed output is sent to a digital 75 Ω coaxial SPDIF output for digital recording purposes as well as to the analogue section of the converter HDCD decoding HDCD High Definition Compatible Digital is a proprietary technique developed ...

Page 5: ...erference enhanced by double layer epoxy glass printed circuit board technology Linear phase output filters with high quality high stability active and passive components Three coaxial SPDIF inputs with phono and BNC sockets AES EBU balanced input with XLR socket Three optical EIAJ inputs Two low impedance analogue stereo outputs to allow long cable runs Coaxial SPDIF digital output with precisely...

Page 6: ... in the next will release it We know you are keen to get your DAC20 working This section will have you listening to your favourite music as quickly as possible If you fold out the front cover of this manual you will locate diagrams which will help you find your way around your DAC20 1 Make sure that all the components of your audio system are disconnected from the AC supply whenever you change any...

Page 7: ... finally the optical EIAJ All the inputs are on the back of your DAC20 Please ask your retailer for advice on selecting the best input format Always use high quality digital cables for connecting inputs The coaxial inputs conform to the SPDIF format and are intended to be used with 75 Ω cable Three independent coaxial inputs are provided For your convenience two types of connector are used COAXIAL...

Page 8: ...he source button has no effect Your DAC20 has a microprocessor controlled muting system to prevent switching noises which could damage your equipment from being sent to your amplifier and loudspeakers The LED on the front panel labelled mute will light when the output is muted The DAC20 turns off the analogue output for a short time whenever you change the input using the input or source buttons P...

Page 9: ...ding is being played A digital recording consists of a rapidly changing stream of digital data representing the music The sampling frequency is the number of times the data is updated in a second 1 The DAC20 detects the sampling frequency of the incoming digital data and automatically switches to the matching frequency Three sampling frequencies are in common use for digital recording 32 44 1and 4...

Page 10: ... recordings are made using a noise reduction technique called pre emphasis The DAC20 automatically recognises recordings with pre emphasis and applies de emphasis to take advantage of the noise reduction 1 The LED on the front panel marked demp short for de emphasis illuminates when a recording with pre emphasis is being played automatic de emphasis detection internal clock synchronisation 18 19 j...

Page 11: ...ed with 75 Ω cable The digital output is retimed by the precise internal clock in the DAC20 see page 18 TAG McLaren Audio equipment is designed to give optimum performance for many years Just like a high quality car the performance of your DAC20 will improve during the first few hours of operation The electronic components will then have reached and settled down to near perfect specification Every...

Page 12: ...ot use any other solutions Do not use any solvents or abrasives take great care not to get any liquid inside the case If this happens you should have your DAC20 serviced fuses cleaning 22 care and maintenance 1 You cannot open the fuse carrier drawer while the plug is in the socket care and maintenance 23 The only service you should do to your DAC20 is described on the left All other servicing sho...

Page 13: ... 110 Ω 5 balanced Coaxial and XLR greater than 200 mV pp Optical 27 to 14 5 dBm Coaxial SPDIF digital output format digital output connector phono socket 75 Ω 10 500 mV pp 10 75 Ω load phono socket 100 Ω nominal 2 0 V rms 0 5 dB full scale output for all sampling rates non HDCD encoded material Up to 4 0 V rms for HDCD encoded material 24 bit 8 times oversampling Passband ripple 0 0001 dB Stopband...

Page 14: ...atio frequency response 0 2 0 8 dB operating temperature range greater than 110 dB at 1 kHz 10 35 C 50 60 Hz 110 120 V or 220 240 V The voltage is marked on the rear of the unit less than 25 W 445 mm wide 75 mm high 320 mm deep ac supply frequency total harmonic distortion noise 0 dB full scale channel balance channel separation power consumption dimensions including feet terminals and controls ac...

Page 15: ...89 IEC65 A3 1992 EN60065 1993 EN50081 1 1992 EN55022 Class B 1994 EN60555 2 1987 EN61000 3 2 1995 EN61000 3 3 1995 FCC Part 15 Class B 1997 EN50082 1 1992 IEC801 2 1991 8 kV air discharge IEC801 3 1984 3 V m IEC801 4 1988 1 kV AC power 500 V other ports EN61000 4 2 1995 8 kV air 4 kV contact discharge EN61000 4 4 1995 1 kV AC power 500 V other ports EN61000 4 5 1995 2 kV common mode 1 kV different...

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