User guide

Comet Computer DAC User Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Use a Balanced or Unbalanced Connection?
If your amplifier has a true balanced input, we recommend you use the balanced analog output from
your EXOGAL Comet. All things being equal, properly implemented balanced (also called differential)
circuitry sounds better than unbalanced circuitry. The EXOGAL Comet is a true balanced design. It
generates the inverted signal in the digital domain and all of the analog output stage is a fully balanced
design. Your EXOGAL Comet is also designed to maintain many of the advantages of true balanced
design when using the unbalanced outputs. In addition, the EXOGAL Comet is capable of driving both
types of outputs simultaneously.
Why Should I Bypass the Preamplifier?
A preamplifier is unnecessary when using your EXOGAL Comet. The EXOGAL Comet provides all the
necessary control functions of a preamp while the signal is still in the digital domain. This avoids the
sonic degradation caused by analog circuitry, switches, and wire. The EXOGAL Comet output stage
can drive any power amplifier and any interconnects, even at very long lengths.
Does the Volume Control Compromise Resolution?
The EXOGAL Comet uses our latest generation proprietary digital processing. The volume level
can be varied in the digital domain by means of mathematical manipulation of the signal, eliminating
the distortion and noise that are inevitable with even the best analog volume controls. While
conventional thinking indicates that reducing the volume digitally can sacrifice low level resolution,
EXOGAL has created an innovative solution. EXOGAL’s digital filtering algorithm produces a higher
resolution digital signal than the 16 bits stored on the CD. This high-resolution signal is then used in
the computations which in turn reduce the volume level. This new signal is fed directly to the DAC
chips. Through this innovative method, the EXOGAL Comet maintains high resolution even at the
lowest volume control settings.
Can I Bypass the Volume Control?
Because the Digital Volume control does not include any analog circuitry, there is none to be bypassed.
Even the mathematical program step that performs the Digital Volume Control calculation is an integral
part of the EXOGAL filter algorithm and therefore cannot be bypassed. If you do not need the Volume
Control, set it to its maximum level of 100 on the display.
What About Analog Sources?
You can directly connect an analog source such as a Phono Stage to the analog RCA inputs.