Exogal Comet Computer DAC Manuale utente

Comet Computer DAC User Guide

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Comet Computer DAC User Guide

Thank You

All of us at EXOGAL would like to say thank you, and congratulations for purchasing the EXOGAL

Comet Computer DAC. We sincerely believe that your Comet is an intelligent investment that will bring

you many years of musical enjoyment and satisfaction.

While every new owner is anxious to begin listening, we encourage you to take a few minutes to read

this manual and familiarize yourself with the full capabilities of the EXOGAL Comet.

Installation and Set-up

Unpacking

Use care in unpacking your EXOGAL Comet. Inspect it for any shipping damage and call your dealer

immediately if any is found.

Do not plug your

EXOGAL

Comet into an AC outlet if you ﬁnd shipping damage!

We advise saving all packing materials so that the unit can be easily and safely shipped if the need arises.

In the Box

Provided with the EXOGAL Comet:

• Comet Computer DAC

• AC power adapter

Do not tip the unit onto the back panel. This can damage input and/or output connectors.

Connecting the Comet

Your EXOGAL Comet Computer DAC uses an external power supply which is designed to work with

line voltages from 100VAC to 240VAC, 50/60Hz. The supplied power adapter can accept different

sets of prongs to allow it to plug into the wall socket in different countries. Attempting to use a different

power supply may damage the unit. Damage caused by improper operation is not covered by

warranty. If you would like to use a different power adapter, contact your EXOGAL dealer.

Connecting to AC Power

The best performance is obtained when the EXOGAL Comet is plugged directly into the wall with the

power adapter provided. The EXOGAL Comet has some power conditioning and surge suppression

built in. It should not be necessary to use surge protectors power conditioners or aftermarket power

cords, some of which may degrade the sonic performance. If you wish to experiment with any of

these devices, work closely with your local dealer – and most of all, trust your own ears.

Avoid allowing static shocks to be applied to the inputs or outputs. To prevent static shocks, touch

any grounded surface, such as the EXOGAL Comet chassis, before connecting or removing a cable.

It is unlikely that a static shock will damage the unit, but it may cause the EXOGAL Comet circuitry to

“lock-up” (see Troubleshooting: Lock-up – page 10).

Inputs and outputs can be safely connected to the EXOGAL Comet:

Before the unit is powered up

When the unit is in Full-Mute mode

When the unit is in Standby Mode

We strongly recommend that you use your EXOGAL Comet connected directly to your power ampliﬁer.

Even if you purchased your EXOGAL Comet with the intention of connecting it to your preampliﬁer,

we suggest that you try direct connection to your ampliﬁer. Many listeners are surprised by the

improvement in performance over even the most expensive preampliﬁers.

To connect your EXOGAL Comet to a power ampliﬁer, ensure that your power ampliﬁer is turned off

then connect your chosen interconnects from the EXOGAL Comet outputs to the ampliﬁer’s inputs.

Using with a Preampliﬁer

While the EXOGAL Comet was designed and is intended to be used without a preampliﬁer, no

compromises were made in its design that will prevent excellent operation in a conventional system

with a preampliﬁer.

When using a preampliﬁer, set the EXOGAL Comet volume control to its maximum level.

The EXOGAL Comet Volume Control is factory set to 50% so that you can hear it some music when it

ﬁrst starts up but, depending on the sensitivity of your ampliﬁer you will not “blast” yourself inadvertently.

Comet Computer DAC User Guide

Connecting to a Transport or Other Digital Source

Avoid allowing static shocks to be applied to the inputs or outputs. To prevent static shocks, touch

any grounded surface, such as the EXOGAL Comet chassis, before connecting or removing a cable.

It is unlikely that a static shock will damage the unit, but it may cause the EXOGAL Comet circuitry to

“lock-up” (see Troubleshooting: Lock-up – page 10).

Inputs and outputs can be safely connected to the EXOGAL Comet:

Before the unit is powered up

When the unit is in Full-Mute mode

When the unit is in Standby Mode

The EXOGAL Comet has ﬁve input sources:

Analog RCA jacks

AES/EBU with XLR type connector

Plastic optical TOSLINK

USB Type B Connector

Coaxial with BNC connector

To connect a source, install the proper cable between the output of that source and the matching input

of the EXOGAL Comet.

The EXOGAL Comet will automatically adjust to the sampling rate of any standard 44.1kHz, 48kHz,

88.2kHz, 96kHz on all digital inputs, 176.4kHz, 192kHz on AES/EBU, SPDIF and USB.

Comet Computer DAC User Guide

Choosing a Digital Input Cable

While the EXOGAL Comet supports most commonly accepted transmission formats for digital audio, we

recommend using a high quality cable. Contact your EXOGAL retail representative for recommendations.

Based on our experience, here is a list of digital interface methods in descending order of performance:

USB

AES/EBU using XLR connector

Coaxial cable using BNC connector

Coaxial cable using RCA to BNC adapter

TOSLINK plastic-optical cable

The quality of any of these transmission methods depends on the quality of the cable and the sophistication

of the transmitter and receiver. For example, a high quality coaxial cable can outperform a low quality

AES/EBU cable.

If you are using a coaxial cable we recommend that you have the cable terminated with a 75 ohm BNC

connector. This will provide higher performance than an RCA connector.

Again, we highly recommend that you take advantage of your dealer’s experience and, most importantly,

trust your ears.

All XLR-type inputs and outputs on the EXOGAL Comet, both digital and analog, use the standard

audio pin conﬁguration:

Pin 1 - Ground

Pin 2 - Positive signal

Pin 3 - Negative signal

User Interface

Turn-on Screen

When power is turned on, the EXOGAL Comet will show the display screens, as shown below,

for several seconds.

First you will see the product name screen with the software version number:

Comet Computer DAC User Guide

Then you will see the EXOGAL Logo with the planets of the galaxy “rotating”.

This tells you that the unit is going through it’s startup process:

Finally, you will see the main display screen:

To understand the Main Screen, you need to understand two symbol areas.

First, on the right hand edge of the middle of the screen is the indicator that

shows a signal is being received from a remote control:

Also, the Mute State Indicator is in the lower right hand corner of the display. There are three Mute

Modes: Normal Listening Level, Reduced Mute (Normal Listening Level - 10dB) and Full Mute (no sound)

The upper box may show “TOSLINK” as the currently selected Input, “main” which means the

XLR / RCA outputs (the other choice is “head” for the Headphone Jack), 50 is the volume setting

and the downward triangle in the rectangular box shows that the unit is in Reduced Mute mode.

Comet Computer DAC User Guide

Selecting an Input

Any of the ﬁve inputs on the EXOGAL Comet can be selected by pressing the Input Select key on an

EXOGAL Remote or on an EXOGAL Smartphone Application.

The inputs are selected on a rotating basis in the following order:

TOSLINK

Analog

USB

AES/EBU

SPDIF

Each time the Input key is pressed, the next input is selected. For example, if TOSLINK is currently

selected, pressing the Input key on the remote control will advance to the Analog and so on. After

SPDIF, the list will begin again with TOSLINK. When switching to a different input, the display will

brieﬂy show the sampling frequency currently playing on that input. After a moment, the sampling

frequency will disappear and the output selection will show once again.

Comet Computer DAC User Guide

Volume and Mute Modes

Adjusting the Volume

Whenever the Volume Up or Volume Down keys on a remote control or in an EXOGAL Smartphone

Application are pressed, the volume on both channels will be increased or decreased by an increment

of 1 on the display screen. The range of the volume display is from 0 to 100, with each step representing

0.5dB change in volume. During normal operation, the numbers on the Main Screen will increase or

decrease as the volume is raised or lowered.

Mute

The

EXOGAL

Comet has three Mute Modes that are automatically engaged under different

circumstances:

Normal Listening Level

Reduced Mute (Normal Listening Level - 10dB)

Full Mute (no sound)

When the Mute key is pressed on the remote control, the EXOGAL Comet functions as follows –

If the Comet is in Standby Mode:

Pressing the Mute button turns the Comet ON to the Reduced Mute level (the last listening level

-10dB). (The ﬁrst time the unit is powered on, this level is factory set at 50. After the ﬁrst use, the

Comet will return to the last level at which you were listening).

If you are listening to music from the Comet at your chosen listening level:

Pressing and releasing the Mute button one time reduces the listening level by 10dB. If the Mute button

is pressed and released a second time within 2 seconds, the Comet is fully muted and the audio level

is reduced to 0 (zero).

If you press and hold the Mute button for 2-3 seconds, the Comet fully mutes and goes into Standby

mode. This is the Comet’s “Off” mode. It can be awakened from Standby by pressing and releasing

the Mute button once more.

If the Comet is in either full or reduced Mute:

Pressing and releasing the Mute button returns the Comet to your previously-set listening level.

Pressing and releasing either the Volume Up or Volume Down key returns the Comet to your

previously-set listening level.

Pressing and holding either the Volume Up or Volume Down key will raise or lower the volume level

after a short delay.

Pressing and holding the Mute button will switch the Comet to Standby mode.

Comet Computer DAC User Guide

The EXOGAL Comet has mute relay connected between the positive and negative outputs. When this

relay is engaged, it connects the positive output to the negative output, reducing the output to zero.

This relay, which produces an audible click when it engages or disengages, is not in the music signal

path. The mute relay is engaged:

• When the EXOGAL Comet detects an AC input level below its minimum operating range

• Each time the EXOGAL Comet is powered-up

• When the volume control is set to zero AND the Mute key on the remote control is pressed

When the EXOGAL Comet is in either Mute Mode,

the Volume Screen will indicate this by displaying the indicators:

Other Back Panel Connectors

Serial The 3.5mm serial connector can be used to control the Comet with an automation

system. It is also used to update the Comet’s internal ﬁrmware. It uses 5V TTL logic

and is compliant with a FTDI TTL-232R-5V-AJ USB to serial converter cable.

Trigger Output The 3.5mm trigger output can be used to turn ON/OFF external equipment, such

as a ampliﬁer. By default it is conﬁgured as a 12VDC output. Optionally it can be

conﬁgured as a 5VDC, or pulsed output.

The TIP is positive and the SLEEVE in common (GND). The trigger output is ON when the Comet is in

a operational state. It is OFF when the Comet is in standby.

GND RX TX

Comet Computer DAC User Guide

EXONet The EXONET input and output connectors are a proprietary interface that will allow

external EXOGAL expansion products to be added to the Comet. They allow for a

high speed digital interface, with control. They are not HDMI compliant, but should

not cause damage if they are mistakenly attached to a HDMI interface.

USB Charger The USB charger output is compliant with most common charging standards. The

output is current limited and auto senses the charging mode of the attached device.

Depending on the speciﬁc USB charging mode it is operating in, it can provide up to

2.1A of current.

Button When powered on with the volume screen displayed, a short press ( < 1second) will

cause a QR code to be presented on the main display and allow user to directly

browse to the EXOGAL support web page by using a mobile device with a QR code

scanning application. On this web page the user will be able to access all of the

available documentation and support material for the Comet.

WARNING: While the Volume screen is displayed, pressing and holding the button

for >2 seconds will reset the unit conﬁguration to factory defaults.

WARNING: Do not press the button while the DAC is starting (ie: Before the volume

or standby screens are displayed.) This will place the unit into a special mode used

in manufacturing and you may cause the unit to become stuck in a mode that cannot

be repaired in the ﬁeld.

Power The Comet is powered from an external power supply. It uses a 2.1mm x 5.5mm

power jack. The center is positive and shell is negative. The Comet requires 6 watts

of power for operation, plus 12 watts of power for the USB charger.

Appendices

Troubleshooting: Lock-up

If the EXOGAL Comet experiences a powerful static shock or sudden AC surge, it is possible to “lock-up”

the computer circuitry. A locked-up computer may result in erratic display, no output, and no response

to remote commands. If your EXOGAL Comet should lock-up, unplug the AC cord. Wait at least 30

seconds before re-plugging in the unit. If the unit still does not operate normally, contact your dealer.

Environmental Care

EXOGAL makes every effort to be an environmentally conservative company. We appreciate it if our

customers join our efforts. Please dispose of batteries in a manner that is environmentally responsible.

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