Digital audio connections (AES/EBU, S/PDIF)
Connect each digital source using the appropriate cable. If a source has multiple types of digital audio output, select the best type according to the order of preference below.
AES/EBU
AES/EBU connections are found on professional audio equipment (the standard was developed by the Audio Engineering Society and European Broadcasting Union). Connect the source’s AES/EBU output to the D33 AES/EBU input using a digital audio XLR cable with 110Ω impedance.
Coaxial S/PDIF
S/PDIF connections are the most common digital audio connection. They are available in two types, coaxial and optical. Coaxial is the best of the two types, as this electrical connection provides the most direct signal path. If your digital source provides both a coaxial and an optical output, connect the coaxial connection using a 75Ω impedance digital audio interconnect cable. Do not use an analogue audio cable as performance may be degraded.
Optical S/PDIF
Optical S/PDIF is technically inferior to coaxial S/ PDIF because the signal must be converted to pulses of light for transmission then back to a voltage signal afterwards. This process can degrade the signal. However, optical connections provide electrical isolation which can benefit the connection between certain types of equipment, for example, televisions. Some digital sources provide an optical output only.
USB computer connection
Two Type-B USB sockets are provided for the USB computer connection. It is important to choose the connection most suitable for your system. The
usb select switch must be set to the correct position for the socket used.
Class I Isolated USB
This socket is the best socket to use for most systems. It provides galvanic electrical isolation between the computer and the D33 DAC to eliminate any audio interference caused by the computer power supply. This input also does not require any special driver installation as the required software is built-in to modern versions of Microsoft® Windows® (Windows XP, Windows Vista® and Windows 7), Mac OS® X and Linux®.
The Class I connection is limited to a maximum sample rate of 96kHz. CD audio has a sample rate of 44.1kHz. Most ‘High Resolution’ audio files from specialist download sites (at the time of writing) have a sample rate of 96kHz so are compatible with this connection.
Start your computer and log on to the operating system if necessary. Connect this socket to the computer using a standard Type-A to Type-B USB cable. Wait for the operating system to detect the D33 and install drivers automatically. If any installation dialogue boxes pop up, select automatic installation. Once the installation process is finished, launch your media player software to play music through the D33 DAC.
Class II High Speed USB
This socket does not have galvanic electrical isolation from the computer power supply. It also requires that a special device driver, provided on CD, be installed on the connected computer. The benefit of this connection is that it is compatible with sample rates up to 192kHz. 192kHz audio material, although rare, provides greater audio information than material sampled at the 96kHz rate, however, audible sound quality benefits over 96kHz are still debated between both audio enthusiasts and professionals.
Insert the supplied driver CD and run the setup programme on the disc in order to install the audio driver for this socket. Follow the on-screen instructions.
USB connection compatibility
The USB connection is designed for the connection of a desktop or laptop computer running a standard desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows 7, Mac OS X or Ubuntu® Linux. The connection is not designed to accept the following:
<USB hard drives
<USB flash drives
<Tablet computers (connect an Apple® iPad™ to the iPod® connection using your Apple USB cable)
NAS drives with USB speaker compatibility may or may not be compatible with the D33 DAC in Class I mode; this depends wholly on the device’s support for the USB Audio standard. At the time of writing, popular NAS drvies with USB speaker compatibility do not fully implement the latest USB Audio standard and are not compatible with the D33. This may change with future NAS drive firmware revisions.
USB Connection problems?
Ensure that the D33 DAC is connected to your computer and installed before starting any media player software. Please refer to the USB FAQ on the Arcam website at http://www.arcam.co.uk for solutions to common USB connection issues.
NOTE:
Home cinema and AV equipment digital outputs may need to be re-configured to work with a stereo DAC. A DVD player, TV set-top box or television may by default output a surround sound ‘bitstream’ signal (e.g. Dolby Digital) on the optical or coaxial digital connector. This must be changed in the source’s setup menu. Set the source’s S/PDIF output to ‘PCM Stereo’ or equivalent (refer to the source equipment manufacturer's handbook).
The D33 input LED will remain red if a bitstream signal is received, as this cannot be decoded.
Connecting an iPod®, iPhone® or iPad™
The Type-A USB connector labelled 'ipod' is provided exclusively for the connection of compatible Apple devices. The D33 DAC is made for:
<iPhone 4S
<iPhone 4
<iPod touch® (4th generation)
<iPad 2
<iPad™
Other Apple devices do not support digital audio output so cannot be used.
Use an Apple Dock Connector to USB cable to connect the ipod USB socket to your Apple device.
When the ipod input is selected and a device connected, the ipod LED will flash green whilst the Apple device performs authentication. This will complete in a few seconds when the LED will stop flashing and illuminate steady green.
Sometimes, authentication can fail, due to mis-insertion of the Apple connector or dirty contacts on the Apple device. If this occurs, disconnect then re-connect the Apple device.
