dCS Elgar Plus Stereo Digital to Analogue Converter User Manual Software Release 4.3x September 2004 © dCS Ltd. 1999 - 2004 Price UK £17.50 / Euro 25.00 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of dCS1.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual filename: Elgar Manual v4.3x.doc English version Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Page 2 email: more@dcsltd.co.uk web-site: www.dcsltd.co.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 PRODUCT OVERVIEW The dCS Elgar Plus is derived from our award winning dCS Elgar, the world’s first 24/96 and 24/192 audiophile D/A converter. Elgar Plus offers many improvements over the standard Elgar, the most important being the ability to handle DSD from IEEE 1394 or SDIF-2 interfaces, the ability to slave to a Word Clock or act as a Master Clock, a digital output and a substantially expanded Function Menu.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 CONTENTS Product Overview ..............................................................................................3 Contents .............................................................................................................4 About this Manual 7 What does the coloured text mean? About Sample Rates x 7 7 Step-by-Step Guide .....................................................................................
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 CDUpdate – Software Update By CD Factory – Restoring Factory Defaults Rst Sync – Setting all Inputs to Slave Mode 29 32 32 The Hardware – Controls and Connectors ...................................................
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 DACs Transports 51 52 Using your dCS Elgar Plus for the first time ...................................................54 What’s in the Box? Safety Notice Mains Voltage Setting Positioning the Unit 54 54 55 55 Options .............................................................................................................56 Mains Supply Voltage Having Your Options Changed 56 56 Maintenance and Support.................
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Indexes and Software Version Numbers.......................................................70 Software History Definitions and Abbreviations Key to Cable Identification List of Tables List of Figures Keywords and Phrases 70 71 72 73 73 74 About this Manual If you have not used a Elgar Plus before, please read the section “Using your dCS Elgar Plus for the first time” on page 54.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE This section guides you through setting up the unit for basic operation. You may find this useful if you have not used the Elgar Plus for a while. Preliminaries The Control Summary sheet details the menu structure and outlines the use of the front panel controls. For more information, see the Function Menu section on page 18.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Step 1 – Selecting a Digital Input Switch on the source equipment. If appropriate, load a disk / tape and set the machine in PLAY mode to ensure it is generating a digital audio data stream. Choose one of the following sections: Connecting to a Single AES or SPDIF source Most source equipment (such as CD transports, DVD players) is fitted with a single wire digital output, usually on an RCA phono connector.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 PCM or DSD mode is automatically detected. The unit will lock to the source, displaying in sequence Locking, d xxx (the BASE sample rate) then the default display (probably 16/44.1 or DSD depending on the Disp menu setting and the source format). do this: Proceed to Step 2. Manual filename: Elgar Manual v4.3x.doc English version Page 10 email: more@dcsltd.co.uk web-site: www.dcsltd.co.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Step 2 – Connecting the Analogue Outputs Choose one of the following two sections: Using a preamplifier x do this: Set the preamplifier volume control to minimum. do this: Connect either the balanced (XLR connectors) or unbalanced (RCA phono connectors) outputs on Elgar Plus rear panel to matching line level inputs on your preamplifier (probably labelled CD or AUX).
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Step 3 - Setting the Output Level If the preamplifier volume setting for a comfortable listening level is too high or too low, you may need to change the Output Level setting. Similarly, if you are driving a power amplifier directly and Elgar Plus Volume setting for a comfortable listening level is higher than –10.0 or lower than –20.0 try changing the Output Level setting.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Step 4 - Using Elgar Plus in Master Mode If your CD transport (or other source equipment sampling at 44.1kS/s) has a Wordclock input, you can reduce the jitter in your system by using Elgar Plus in Master mode and slaving the source to it. If not, you can miss out this step. IMPORTANT! You can only use Master Mode if your source sample rate is 44.1kS/s.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Using an Elgar Plus in Master Mode with Verdi This setup allows you to play SACDs through the 1394 interface and CDs through the AES1 interface, with Elgar Plus in Master Mode. dCS Verdi SACD Transport CAUTION: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN, DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Using Elgar Plus and a 1394-Equipped Purcell with Verdi This setup allows you to play SACDs and CDs through the 1394 interface, 2 upsampling the CDs to DSD with a Purcell. Elgar Plus is in Master Mode. dCS Verdi SACD Transport CAUTION: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION. WHEN OPEN, DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Using Elgar Plus with a Standard Purcell and a CD Player If your Purcell is not 1394-equipped, you can still upsample the output from a standard CD player to 24 bit 192kS/s. DIGITAL OUT L Hand Crafted by The Red Hot CD Player Co.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual filename: Elgar Manual v4.3x.doc English version Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Page 17 email: more@dcsltd.co.uk web-site: www.dcsltd.co.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 THE SOFTWARE – THE MENU To open the Menu, hold down "Vol / Bal" and press "Display". To page through the Menu, press "Display". To select, display or change an option, press "Vol / Bal".
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Using the Function Menu The Function Menu gives the user access to a wide range of additional features. It also allows new features and performance enhancements to be added at a later date by software upgrades. Opening the Menu The Function Menu is controlled by two buttons: • • • press Vol/Bal and Display buttons at the same time to open the Menu. the Vol/Bal button doubles as the Select button.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Menu Sequence Use the flow chart (Figure 7) or the Control Summary sheet to guide you through the Menu more quickly. The following explanation deals with the Function Menu pages in the sequence 3 they occur in the Menu . The use of each page is shown on an individual basis, with the last operation being closing the Menu.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd do this: Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Press the Select button slowly several times. The display will in turn show: Filter 2, Filter 3, ... and finally Filter 1 again. Select the filter you want to use then wait for the Function Menu to time-out. There is a slight delay whilst the unit changes filters, during which it will not respond to further button presses.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 If you are using an Upsampler set for 176.4kS/s Dual AES output, select the Dual AES input. The displays will then be d 88.2, then MS:Mastr and 176.4kS alternately for about 10 seconds. If you are using an Upsampler set for DSD output and your Elgar Plus is fitted with a 1394 interface, select the 1394 input. The displays will then be Wait…, then MS:Mastr and 1394 alternately for about 10 seconds.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Dual AES – Dual AES Mode The Dual AES interface was developed by dCS to allow 88.2 or 96kS/s data streams to be recorded on equipment designed for 44.1 or 48kS/s operation. It allows a stereo pair of 24/96 data to be recorded on a 4-track digital recorder. Dual AES mode has become a de-facto standard, appearing on an ever increasing array of products.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Swap - Swap Channels If you have run the Channel Check test and decided the channels are reversed, you can swap the channels back digitally as follows. do this: do this: Assuming the unit is set for swap off, open the Function Menu and step through until the display shows Swap:Off. Press the Select button once. The display will change to Swap:On. do this: Run through this sequence again if you want to swap back.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Global – Global/Local Volume Elgar Plus can store Volume settings in two ways: • • Applying the same Volume setting to all inputs (Global volume). Using different settings for each input (Local volume, or Input specific). This is useful where the average loudness (and so the preferred Volume setting) changes from source to source.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 NAud - Non Audio Muting Elgar Plus is normally set to mute if the Non-Audio message flag in the incoming data stream is On – identifying the source as a corrupt data stream, CD-ROM or other non-audio format. We have found that some audio CDs actually have the Non-Audio flag set! To listen to such disks, the automatic muting must be TEMPORARILY disabled.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Ch.Check - Channel Check Test Use this feature to check if the stereo outputs on your system are swapped. It is disabled when in DSD/SACD mode. do this: do this: Set up your system to play music at a comfortable level. Open the Menu and step through until the display shows: Ch.Check do this: Press the Select button once to start the test.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 A second burst of noise appears on both channels with the right channel inverted for several seconds. Done This is displayed briefly at the end of the test. If both channels are in-phase the first burst of noise will produce a stable central image but the second burst will not. If one channel is out of phase, the second burst will produce a stable stereo image but the first will not.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Issue – Software Issue State This displays the issue number of the software fitted to your unit. You will need to check this if you are considering a software upgrade or if your unit malfunctions. do this: do this: do this: Open the Menu and step through until the display shows Issue. Press the Select button once to display the software issue.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd do this: Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 If you are updating a dCS DAC connected to the Transport through another device: Connect an AES or RCA digital output from the other device to the DAC and select the input you have just connected. Set the other device to bit-for-bit mode (Cloning on a dCS Upsampler). Disconnect any 1394 interface cables. If in doubt, connect the DAC directly to the transport.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd • • Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 The display counts up from 0% 0/7 to 99% 0/7, displays Copying, counts up from 0% 1/7 to 99% 1/7, displays Copying and so on until the last section is loaded and copied. Some models may use less than 8 sections. A moving dot counts down slowly from about 3 to 0. After about 15 minutes, the update is complete and the unit will reboot itself. do this: do this: If the CD is still playing, you can stop it now.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Factory – Restoring Factory Defaults This feature sets most of the parameters back to the factory default settings. This can be useful if the settings are accidentally changed and you need to reset the unit to a standard configuration, or your children play with it. do this: do this: Open the Menu and step back until the display shows Factory. Press Select and leave the menu to time out.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual filename: Elgar Manual v4.3x.doc English version Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Page 33 email: more@dcsltd.co.uk web-site: www.dcsltd.co.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Display button Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 (Menu Step) The Display button controls the brightness of the Main display (G) and the green LEDs above the buttons. When it is pressed for the first time, the display indicates the present brightness setting in the form Bright x, where x is a number from 7 (maximum brightness) through to 0 (display off).
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd None Auto 50/15us CCITT Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Applies no de-emphasis and ignores message flags. Automatically applies the de-emphasis curve indicated by the message flags in the data stream. When Emphasis is detected, the Main Display briefly shows the de-emphasis applied. Applies 50/15µs de-emphasis curve and ignores message flags. Applies CCITT J17 de-emphasis curve and ignores message flags.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Input Button and Input Indicator Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 x The Input button controls which digital input is selected, as shown by the Input Indicator. do this: Press the button repeatedly until the required input is shown on the Input Indicator. The choices are AES 1 (XLR), AES 2 (XLR), Dual AES (AES1 + AES 2 on 2 x XLR), RCA1, RCA2, TOSLINK optical, ST optical, BNC, 1394, DSD (3 x BNC) or SDIF (3 x BNC).
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.
dCS Elgar Plus User Manual dCS Ltd Manual for Software Issue 4.3x September 2004 Balanced Analogue Outputs If your pre or power amplifier has balanced inputs, connect Elgar Plus’ Balanced Analogue Outputs to them. For best results, connection of these outputs to unbalanced inputs is not recommended – use the Unbalanced Analogue Outputs instead. Use good quality, screened, XLR audio cables.
