10
Description of Controls
Front Panel Rotary Controls
The Reference DAC has two microprocessor-driven
rotary controls.
The rotary control on the left adjusts Volume (output
level) up or down for both L and R channels. Volume
control is also selectable via Vol UP and Vol DN buttons
on the remote control. Volume adjustment is indicated
in the display window by numeric digits on 0–103 scale.
Do not turn volume up beyond normal listening levels
when ‘mute’ is engaged to avoid unexpected or
possibly damaging sound levels. Reduce volume level
whenever changing input sources, even when muted.
The rotary control (on the right) selects any of the
inputs on the Reference DAC, and is also a navigator
through the settings and front panel interface.
Front Panel and Remote Control Buttons
POWER ON/OFF: Supplies power from A.C. wall outlet
to DAC; indicated by active display window.
After pressing the Power button to turn on unit, the
display will remain black for approximately 8 seconds,
after which the Reference DAC splash screen will
appear. Once the splash screen is gone, the main
menu page is displayed, and a countdown timer will
show the seconds until the unit is ready for operation.
After countdown, the unit will be in Mute.
MUTE: When activated, electrically mutes all output of
the DAC; indicated by ‘Mute’ in display window. This
control should be activated before switching inputs,
changing connections or shutting down your audio
system to help protect your amplier and speakers
from unexpected signal pulses. When deactivated,
‘Mute’ disappears from the display window allowing
normal operation. Function also on remote control.
The Reference DAC also has automatic muting to
help protects system components during A.C. power
interruptions or low line voltage. When sensing these
conditions, the preamp automatically goes into
‘Mute’ and disables all outputs. The Reference DAC
will reset itself and begin the initial startup sequence as
described under ‘Power On/Off’.
Note that automatic muting is only designed to protect
against power line interruptions or severe voltage drop.
It will not mute in the event of subsonic transmissions
from a faulty input source, amplier failure or speaker
malfunction.
SELECT: Pressing the Select button engages the
highlighted input on the screen, or advances the
Reference DAC to the next screen when using the
settings menus. It also is used to select folders and
tracks when using an i-device or media server, or
stations for the internet radio tuner. Function also on
remote control (center button of navigation pad).
LEFT/RIGHT ARROWS (< >): Used during menu
navigation. The Right arrow (>) will advance the
Reference DAC to the next screen or selection, and
the Left arrow (<) will go back one screen or menu
selection. Function also on remote control (Left and
Right arrows on navigation pad).
EXIT: Toggles the Reference DAC from the current
screen to the main menu/input selection screen.
VOLUME UP/DOWN : Using rotary control on front panel
or VOL UP/VOL DN buttons on remote, increases/
decreases overall volume level of both channels
equally for whichever input has been selected.
Caution: do not turn up volume beyond normal
listening levels when “Mute” is engaged to avoid
unexpected or possibly damaging sound levels. It is
a good idea to reduce volume whenever changing
program sources, even when muted.
INPUT: Moves the selection bar up or down on the
display. Turn the Input knob to the left or right to
highlight an input, and then press the ‘Select’ button
to choose that input. Also use the Input knob to move
the selection bar to the desired function or folder
when navigating the settings menu or music folders.
Function also on remote (Up and Down arrows on
navigation pad).
Remote Control only Functions
FILTER: Selects between Sharp or Soft digital lter
algorithms.
MONO: Sums L and R input for mono output from any
source selected.
SAMPLE: Selects between the native sample rate of
the incoming signal or integer-based upsampling
(Ethernet client board, Media server, iPod, internet
radio, USB stick, max is 88.2 and 96kHz, SPDIF inputs,
max is 176.4 and 192kHz, and USB2.0HS, upsampling is
selected in the computer; not done in hardware).
INVERT: Inverts absolute phase of the output signal.
INPUT: Toggles through the different digital inputs.
REPEAT: Toggles the Reference DAC between Repeat
All and Repeat One track and no repeat.
SHUFFLE: Toggles the Shufe feature on and off. Shufe
instructs the Reference DAC to randomly select tracks
from a device or folder.
NOTE: Repeat and Shufe only function with
the following inputs: Media Server, Ipod
Dock, USB Input.
HOURS: When pressed, displays number of operating
hours vacuum tubes have been in service. WARNING:
after replacing tubes, this function should be reset
to ‘0’ only by a qualied technician. Hours display
can be reset to ‘0’ by pressing black button labeled
located on upper right corner of circuit board directly
behind display window. The unit must be “On” to
reset function – the service technician must be careful
to avoid any contact with other circuit components
during reset operation. Contact Audio Research
customer service (763-577-9700) for information
regarding this procedure.
