ZODIAC Gold 384kHz DAC Owner’s Manual 11
Contents 1. Safety Notes ................................................................................................................................. 5 2. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 6 3. Features ....................................................................................................................................... 7 4. Quick Start ........................................
1. Safety Notes ! To reduce the risk of electrical shocks, fire, and related hazards: ●● Do not remove screws, cover, or cabinet. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel. ●● Do not expose this device to rain, moisture or spillover of liquid of any kind. ●● Should any form of liquid or a foreign object enter the device, do not use it. Switch off the device and then unplug it from the power source.
2. Introduction Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of the Zodiac Gold HD Mastering 384kHz D/A converter. Many of the world’s recording studios use Antelope clocks to improve the quality of the audio from their digital converters. This is because of the unique technologies and clocking know-how that the Antelope team has gained over many years of development to improve audio through clocking.
3. Features ●● Up to 384 kHz sampling rate ●● Stepped relay volume attenuator for precise stereo balance (matched to 0.
4. Quick Start It only takes a few moments to harness the benefits of the Zodiac Sound. Follow these simple steps to connect Zodiac Gold to your system setup: 1. Connect to the DC power source via rear panel connector (14). 2. Connect your choice of digital input(s) and analog outputs on the rear panel. 3. If you wish to use USB as the digital input, connect the Zodiac Gold USB cable to your computer. The guest operating system will recognize the new output audio device (Zodiac Gold).
5. Front Panel Explained 1. Lock light When lit, this indicates Zodiac Gold is locked to an incoming digital signal via rear panel connectors (21), (22), (23), (24). The light will flash if there is no valid digital signal or if a media player is in stopped or paused mode when using USB. 2. Infrared receiver Remote control unit receiver. Do not cover! 3. Word Clock light Indicates the device is locked to the incoming Word Clock signal at rear panel BNC connector (20).
8. Power button Toggles standby/operation state. 9. Power/Standby light Indicates operational and standby modes. Dimly lit for standby and brightly lit for operational power. 10. Source button When the display shows the sample rate, pressing this button once, briefly changes the display to show the currently selected input source (for one second). When the display shows an input source, pressing this button once will switch to the next available input source.
6. Rear Panel Explained 14. DC Power Connection For use with Antelope’s DC power supply only. 15. Balanced Analog Inputs 1/4” TRS balanced (+4dBu.) analog inputs. 16. Unbalanced Analog Inputs RCA type unbalanced (-10dBv.) analog inputs. 17. Analog Output Trimmers These trim pots enable precise matching of the balanced analog outputs to connected equipment. The default setting is +22dBu, with maximum level at +26dBu. 18.
20. Word Clock Input BNC connector used to accept Word Clock reference. NOTE: Word Clock overrides the Clock Signal present in AES, S/PDIF and TOSLINK. 21. TOSLINK Inputs TOSLINK/Optical connectors for use with compatible equipment. See also (10) Source Button. 22. S/PDIF Inputs 75 Ω S/PDIF inputs for use with compatible equipment. See also (10) Source Button. 23. USB Hi-Speed Hi Speed USB (480 Mbits).
8. Advanced User Tips 8.1. Source input Input sources can be switched by the source button (10). Only digital inputs with valid signals are available for switching. (Of the analog inputs, An2 is permanently available and An1 is available once a jack is inserted, without the requirement for the signal to be present.) Example: If only signals on AES and TOSLINK1 inputs are present, they will be the only options available when selecting the source (together with An2 as stated above).
back and forth between current settings for USB operation mode and Headphone amplifier impedance. ●● Pushing the source button (10) will take you through the supported USB modes (UF1, UH1, UH2) or Headphone impedance (HP1 or Hp2). ●● Confirm the change by pressing the power button once. The display will again start to switch between the available settings. Push the power button one more time to exit this mode and go to operating mode. 8.3.
8.5. I/O connections Proper Digital Audio cables should be used for SPDIF and AES/EBU: Avoid using standard analog audio cables for digital signal. Even though they might look the same, they are not designed for digital audio and performance will be compromised. ●● AES/EBU use 110 Ω shielded twisted-pair digital cables. ●● SPDIF use 75 Ω coaxial (video) cables. 8.6. Ground Loop Hum and Noise The design of Zodiac Gold minimizes the possibility of ground loop hum and noise.
11. Technical Specifications Dynamic Range: 129 dB THD+N: 0.0004% USB: 2.0 Hi-Speed. Data stream up to 480Mbits/384kHz, Type B Clocking Generator: 4th Generation Acoustically Focused Clocking 64 bit DDS Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator Clock Stability: < +/- 0.02 PPM, oven controlled at 64.5 C Clock Ageing: < 1 ppm per year Sample Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, (352.8kHz, 384kHz through USB only) Inputs: BNC Word Clock: 44.1 - 384 kHz 1x AES/EBU XLR: 44.
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Correct Disposal of This Product (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) (Applicable in the European Union and other European countries with separate collection systems) This marking shown on the product or its literature, indicates that it should not be disposed with other household wastes at the end of its working life.