Data Conversion Systems DCS VIVALDI DAC, User Manual

dCS Vivaldi DAC

 User Manual 

Software Issue 1.0x 

August 2012 

Filename: Vivaldi DAC Manual v1_0x.docx 

Page 19

 English 

version

Power

 Button 

To switch on, ensure the rear panel switch is set to 

I

 and press the 

Power

 button (C) on the front 

panel once. Note that the unit cannot be turned on from the remote control. 

To set the unit to sleep mode, press the 

Power

 button once. The main display will turn off, the LED 

(D) beside the button will light, and the analogue outputs will mute, but the unit will remain close to 
running temperature. Press again to return to normal operation. 

To switch off, hold down the 

Power

 button for about 3 seconds until 

Switching Off

 appears on the 

display, then release it. 

When the menu is open, press the 

Power

 button to close the menu. 

Menu

 Button 

Press the 

Menu

 button (E) to open the menu, select menu pages and change settings. See the Menu 

section on page 

25

 for information on using the menu features. 

Filter

 Button 

Use the 

Filter

 button (F) to select your preferred filter. This is a personal preference and is best done 

by ear. The choice of filter may depend on the type of music you are listening to.  

In PCM mode, the first 4 filters give different trade-offs between the Nyquist image rejection and the 
phase response. 

Filter 1

 has the best rejection of (unwanted) Nyquist images and the sharpest roll-off, 

resulting in the poorest transient response of the four. Filters 2, 3 and 4 have progressively more 
relaxed image rejection and progressively better transient response. 

Filter 2

 is often preferred for 

orchestral music, while 

Filter 3

 and 

Filter 4

 are often used for rock music. 

If the source data rate is 176.4, 192, 352.8 or 384kS/s, two extra filters are available. 

Filter 5

 has a 

Gaussian response and 

Filter 6

 is an asymmetrical type which features almost no pre-ringing.  

There are 2 extra filters for 44.1kS/s operation. 

Filter 5

 is an asymmetrical design with non-linear 

phase and no pre-ringing. 

Filter 6

 is a new sharp filter which has linear phase and pre-ringing. Try 

them and decide for yourself which you prefer. The impulse responses for the six 44.1kS/s filters are 
shown below. The horizontal or time axis is graduated at 100 microseconds per division. 

Filter 1 

Filter 2 

Filter 3 

Filter 4 

Filter 5 

Filter 6 

DSD mode has 4 filters, but these progressively reduce the out-of-band noise level (which is inherent 
in the 1-bit nature of DSD). 

Filter 1

 is the usual setting – it gives the widest bandwidth (about 70kHz) 

and the highest level of out-of-band noise. If your system sounds harsh, try 

Filter 2

 or 

Filter 3

. These 

progressively reduce the out-of-band noise level at the cost of some bandwidth. 

Filter 4

 is primarily 

intended for troubleshooting, not listening, as it cuts off sharply at 20kHz to minimise the out-of-band 
noise.  

“I don’t have time to listen to all these filters! Which ones do you suggest?” 

Filters are definitely a personal choice, but we can recommend the following: 
44.1kS/s – 

Filter 5

 (asymmetrical)                                 32, 48, 88.2, 96kS/s – 

Filter 2

176.4 - 384kS/s – 

Filter 6

 (asymmetrical)                      DSD – 

Filter 1