USER MANUAL. GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter

Transcription

1 USER MANUAL GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter

2 Thank you for purchasing the Goldmund METIS D/A CONVERTER. Please take some time to read this manual. It will provide you with useful information to make your pleasure of listening to the METIS D/A even higher. INTRODUCTION GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter Goldmund was founded in 1978 and has ever since been dedicated to the accurate reproduction of sound and image. At Goldmund, we strive to lead in the creation, development and manufacture of the industry s most advanced technologies, including audio and video systems, home-networking and music distribution. The guiding principle at Goldmund is to produce a precise sound with the least possible loss of quality through the different stages. Goldmund will never adopt a technology before it is sufficiently developed to satisfy the high quality standards we set. This is why Goldmund has often rejected mainstream technologies and developed its own.

3 Table of Contents 1 PRELIMINARIES 5 2 SETTING UP THE METIS D/A 6 4 FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS 8 5 CLEANING 8 6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9 GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter - 3

4 W A R N I N G! No connection or manipulation must be done before reading these instructions. Damage to the USB D/A Converter may result if the following instructions are not consciously understood and applied. This high quality converter possesses new technical features like high bandwidth and ultrahigh dynamic capability which are or will become necessary for an accurate conversion of the today s best digital messages as well as tomorrow s new formats. Only careful installation and use can provide the satisfaction you are expecting. The installation instructions must be carried out in full and the mentioned precautions taken to get the expected result and to avoid impairing the USB D/A converter s performance. GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter - 4

5 1 PRELIMINARIES 1.1 ABOUT YOUR METIS D/A CONVERTER Thanks to its USB plug the Metis D/A converter is the perfect companion to your computer music library. However, if you wish to use your converter with a CD/DVD or Blu-ray transport, Goldmund recommends the Goldmund Metis CD/DVD player or the Metis Universal Player. Considering the extreme performance of the Metis D/A converter, the connection between the digital sources and D/A converter is very critical. Use ultra-low reflection cables for the SPDIF connection. Goldmund recommends using its special Goldmund Lineal cable. 1.2 UNPACKING You will find in the GOLDMUND METIS D/A box: - The Metis D/A Converter - The power cord - This manual ATTENTION Please keep the packaging in case you need to transport the METIS D/A at a later date or if you have to send it for maintenance. This packaging has been designed specifically to protect the METIS D/A in transit. Use of alternative packaging is likely to result in damage, invalidating warranty cover. GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter - 5

6 2 SETTING UP THE METIS D/A 2.1 CHOICE OF D/A CONVERTER LOCATION & COOLING If you want to achieve the best possible sonic result, select a position on a shelf or on a piece of furniture where the converter is isolated from vibrations of mechanical components. 2.2 POWER SUPPLY The Goldmund Metis D/A converter uses an internal power supply developed by Goldmund to provide totally separate voltage between the USB part and the digital/analog circuitry. Your power supply unit has been set to operate with the mains voltage of your area. Check on the power supply voltage switch if there is any doubt. If you move after purchasing the D/A converter to an area using a different AC mains voltage, you can change the voltage yourself or consult your local Goldmund dealer for assistance in doing so. The voltage selector on the rear panel allows choosing between 220V (234V nominal) and 110V (117V nominal). Please refer to the Technical Specifications at the end of this manual for the main line voltage range. In case the nominal line voltage in your country is out of range, please consult your local Goldmund dealer for assistance. The power supply unit can operate indifferently with both 50 and 60 Hz AC line. GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter - 6

7 3 FIRST INSTALLATION & CONNECTIONS 3.1 POWER CONNECTION Plug the AC power cord to the power supply and in a wall socket. The converter is powered by pressing the power switch located on the rear panel. For best sonic results, Goldmund recommends leaving the converter powered on permanently. 3.2 SOURCES CONNECTION Connect a computer, CD/DVD or Blu-ray player to the back panel of the Goldmund Metis D/A, using either the USB Audio, RCA Digital or Toslink Optical connector. OS compatible USB Audio Class 1.0 (i.e. Windows Vista/XP/2000, Mac OS X, and Linux). It supports up to 96 khz /24 bits. The Metis D/A driver will automatically be installed on your computer when its input source is connected for the first time with the USB audio connector. It will then be identified as Goldmund USB Audio in all audio related software. This installation is performed only at the first USB connection. When the input source is connected, connect the analog output RCA connectors to the analog preamplifier line level input or to the power amplifier analog input using a high quality analog cable like the Goldmund Interconnect. Only one connection per input can be used at once. The automatic input selection has been set so the USB Audio connector has the priority over the other input. To use the digital or optical input, turn off the computer to which the USB input on disconnected or unplug the USB connection. The converter will then automatically detect the RCA/Optical Toslink connection and will switch to it. GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter - 7

8 4 FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS - Power key: The power is switched on or off by the rear panel power switch key. - Power LED: When power is ON, the green Led is lit. - Locking LED: When a digital signal is present at the unit s input the orange Led shows the unit is locked on this signal. 5 CLEANING Always disconnect the power cord from the wall socket before cleaning your converter. To clean the metal of the converter, always use a very soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface. Use a soft cloth slightly wet for usual maintenance. GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter - 8

9 6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS DIGITAL INPUT 1 x Digital S/PDIF coaxial RCA 75 Ohms or Toslink Optical 1 x USB AUDIO ANALOG OUTPUT 1 x Analog output (LEFT) 1 x Analog output (RIGHT) D/A CONVERTER CIRCUIT Goldmund ultra-linear phase proprietary circuitry enhanced Alize 6 technology with enhanced dynamics Bandwidth: +/- 0.5dB typical (20Hz-20kHz) Typical non-linearity: < 1 db at -100dBFS Typical phase error between channels: < 0.5 degrees THD < 0,002% (0dBFS, 80KHz bandwidth measurement) Signal to noise ratio: 120 db at 0dBFS Output voltage: 2 Vrms unbalanced FRONT PANEL CONTROLS Separate Led display for Power (green) and for digital signal locking (orange) REAR PANEL CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS 2 x analog RCA output connector 1 x digital SPDIF input connector & 1 x Toslink Optical connector 1 x USB Audio connector ON/OFF power switch key Voltage input selector GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter - 9

10 6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (Ctd.) POWER 2 Separate Power transformers Nominal AC line voltage: 117V or 234V (+/- 10%) SIZE AND WEIGHT 300 W x 300 D x 60 H (mm) 3.5 kg WARRANTY 3 years, parts and labor Information and product specifications contained in this manual are subject to change without prior notice. Updated versions of this manual will be posted on our website at Please visit our support page at to register your Goldmund product for warranty. GOLDMUND METIS D/A USB D/A Converter - 10 REVA