Mercury Mastering D/A-Converter Manual
Content Mercury Version 1.
Content Control Elements 12 Graphic/Overview 12 USB 14 AES 1 14 AES 2 14 Coax 1 14 Coax 2 14 Opt 1 14 Opt 2 14 Mute 14 Sync 15 Display 15 Output 15 Specifications 16 Measurements 16 Security Advices Notes on Environmental Protection 17 18 Contact 19
Version 1.1 – 03/2020 Developer: Bastian Neu This manual includes a description of the product but no guarantee as for specific characteristics or successful results. Unless stated otherwise, everything herein corresponds to the technical status at the time of delivery of the product and user manual by SPL electronics GmbH. The design and circuitry are under continuous development and improvement. Technical specifications are subject to change.
Introduction Mastering D/AConverter in 120V Technology The Mercury Mastering D/A Converter perfectly connects the SPL Mastering Universe to the digital world. Mercury is a stereo digital to analog converter that fulfills the highest demands both technologically and tonally. Mercury provides connections for a total of seven digital stereo input sources. It provides an USB input, two coaxial, two optical and two AES/EBU inputs – the AES Input 2 also supports Dual-Wire (DW) mode.
Technical Aspects 120 Volt Technology SPL‘s goal was to push analog signal processing to the limits. That‘s why we combined the best possible components with a high-grade optimized circuit design. We have been using the in-house developed 120 Volt technology - the highest-ever operating voltage used for audio applications - in all our products from the Mastering series for years.
Technical Aspects 120 Volt Technology - Diagrams These diagrams clearly show the advantages of our 120-volt technology in comparison to other circuits with a lower operating voltage. The direct relation between operating level and maximum level is fundamental for the classification: the higher the operating level, the higher the maximum level a circuit can handle.
Installation Voltage Selection Before connecting the Mercury Mastering D/A Converter to the mains, make sure that the voltage selection corresponds to the values of your local power grid (230 or 115 volts). Inside the power connector, to the right, next to the on/off switch, there is an opening that displays the voltage selected.
Cabling: Rear Side XLR inputs and outputs We used exclusively Switchcraft/Neutrik XLR input and output plugs to guarantee perfect connectivity in the studio. They provide an optimal connection thanks to their electromechanical design and large contact surface. The image shows the XLR connectors pinout. They are balanced and have three conductors or wires. Conductor 2 (Pin 2) corresponds to the (+) or hot Signal.
Cabling: Rear Side 10 1 USB 2 Optical 1 and Optical 2 (TOSLINK) 3 Coaxial 1 and Coaxial 2 (S/P-DIF) 4 AES 1 5 AES 2 [DW L and DW R] 6 Word Clock 7 FIX OUT 8 VAR OUT 9 Ground-Lift (see details on page 7) 10 Voltage (see details on page 6) 8 9 8
Cabling: Rear Side 3 7 6 5 2 3 4 2 1 We also provide a Screenshow video manual on the product page on our website: https://mercury.spl.
Cabling: Rear Side 1 USB A computer can be connected to the USB port [USB 2.0, Type B, Female]. Two-channel PCM and DSD audio formats can be sent via this USB connection. Sample rates up to 768kHz are supported for PCM audio and up to DSD4 (quad-rate DSD or DSD256) for DSD audio. No special driver is required for an Apple Mac, as Apple natively supports USB class 2 up to a sampling rate of 768kHz. To use Mercury to its full extent on a Windows PC, the SPL Mercury driver should be installed.
Cabling: Rear Side 5 AES 2 [DW L and DW R] The AES 2 input has two input jacks (XLR, female). In regular mode, the AES 2 DW L input jack is used to connect a regular AES signal. This input then corresponds to the same specifications as the input AES 1. However, the AES 2 input also supports Dual Wire (DW) mode, in which two AES jacks operate together to double the sampling rate.The AES 2 input therefore has two XLR jacks.
Control Elements 1 2 1 USB 2 AES 1 3 AES 2 4 Coax 1 5 Coax 2 6 Opt 1 7 Opt 2 8 Mute 12 3 4 5 6 7 8
Control Elements 10 9 9 11 Sync 10 Operating status display 11 Output We also provide a Screenshow video manual on the product page on our website: https://mercury.spl.
Control Elements 1 USB By pressing the push button labeled USB the signal connected to the USB port is routed to the DA converter. When the USB input is active, the USB push-button is illuminated. 2 AES 1 By pressing the push button labeled AES 1 the signal connected to the USB port is routed to the DA converter. When the AES 1 input is active, the AES 1 push-button is illuminated. 3 AES 2 By pressing the push button labeled AES 2 the signal connected to the AES 2 port is routed to the DA converter.
Control Elements 9 Sync The Sync button has various functions. The first function is to display the synchronization status. If a source other than USB is selected, the button is illumintaed blue when the source is synchronized to the selected clock. If USB is selected as source, the button will not light up, as USB cannot be synchronized to another source due to the system. Therefore, no sync options are available for USB.
Specifications Measurements Analog: Max. Output Level .................................. + 32,5 dBu Reference Levels ..................................... 0dBFS = 14 dBu, 15 dBu, 16 dBu, 18 dBu, 20 dBu, 22 dBu, 24 dBu Dynamic Range ....................................... 127,5 dBu Output Impedance .................................. ‹ 100 Ohm (sym.) Noise (A-weighted) ................................. - 95 dBu THD & N (at +20dBu) ............................... -101 dB Digital: Dynamic Range ..........
Security Advices Connections Only use the connections as described. Other connections can lead to health risks and damage the equipment. Water and humidity Do not use this device anywhere near water (for example in a bath room, a damp cellar, near swimming pools, or similar environments). Otherwise your are dealing with an extremely high risk of fatal electrical shocks! Insertion of objects or fluids Be careful to not insert any object into any of the chassis openings.
Security Advices Controls and switches Operate the controls and switches only as described in the manual. Incorrect adjustments outside safe parameters can lead to damage and unnecessary repair costs. Never use the switches or level controls to effect excessive or extreme changes.
Contact SPL electronics GmbH Sohlweg 80 41372 Niederkruechten Fon +49 (0) 21 63 98 34 0 Fax +49 (0) 21 63 98 34 20 E-Mail: info@spl.audio Follow us on our Blog, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: Website & Blog: spl.audio Facebook: facebook.spl.audio Instagram: instagram.spl.audio Twitter: twitter.spl.audio Videos: youtube.spl.
