NAGRA CLASSIC DAC II Alma Music and Audio User Manual

CLASSIC DAC II User manual

Safety warning

• Read this manual carefully before operating the CLASSIC DAC.
• Should you have any questions on how to setup or use your CLASSIC DAC, please contact your Nagra dealer.
• Audio Technology Switzerland SA declines any responsibility in the event of an accident caused by the non-observance of these instructions or any other form of user negligence.
• The CLASSIC DAC is CLASS I equipment. It is essential that it is connected to a Mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection when using the AC power supply.
• The CLASSIC DAC must not be exposed to dripping or splashing liquids and no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, should be placed on it.
• There are no user adjustments inside the CLASSIC DAC, do not attempt to open it.

Warranty

Please refer to the addendum enclosed in this User manual.

Congratulations

Congratulations! You have just acquired one of the best digital-to-analog converters ever made.
The CLASSIC DAC was created by an engineering team with more than 70 years of experience designing world-class products for the professional audio, national security and military businesses.
Since its inception in 1951, Nagra has built products that continue to earn a reputation for delivering ultimate sonic performance. Numerous awards have been bestowed upon Nagra for its technical innovation, excellence in design and flawless construction including two Oscars® and two Emmys®.
The professional and Hi-Fi ranges are both designed by our Research and Development department. Nagra has launched a Hi-Fi range to allow the wider public to benefit from technical advances that are often the sole privilege of professionals.
This technology exists in the service of music, your music. We wish you great moments of listening pleasure with your CLASSIC DAC.
Thank you for your trust.

Package contents
Besides the manual and the CLASSIC DAC itself, the box contains:

• Mains cable*
• IR Remote Control Unit with 2x AAA-Dry cells
• Pair of “Haute Horlogerie” grade microfiber gloves

Please contact your Nagra dealer if anything should be missing.

• Depending on your country, the power cord features either a US, European or Swiss plug.

Installation

Positioning
The CLASSIC DAC is designed exclusively for indoor use in a moderate climate.
There must be enough space all around the chassis for adequate ventilation. Ventilation should not be impeded by covering the ventilation openings with items such as newspapers, tablecloths, curtains, etc.
The CLASSIC DAC must rest on a stable support. We recommend that you use the Nagra CLASSIC VFS FOR SOURCE. The VFS, developed by Nagra, consists of isolated solid aluminum plates using the same silicone base damping material as the Nagra CD mechanics.

Powering the CLASSIC DAC
The CLASSIC DAC can be powered either by its own internal power supply or by an external +12V(+12.6V) ****with the Nagra MPS or the CLASSIC PSU. In the first case, simply use the AC Mains cable provided.

Connecting the Mains Place the Mains power switch on the rear panel of the unit in the OFF position, marked «0».
Insert the C13 IEC connector of the power cable into the C14 IEC Appliance inlet of the CLASSIC DAC.
You may then push the Mains switch into the «I» position.

Fuse replacement
The fuse holder includes a replacement fuse.
The fuse type is: FST 5x20mm 250V / T 500mA L.
Should you need to replace it, use only the same fuse type and value.
Should the fuse blow more than once, please contact your Nagra dealer for assistance. Connecting the Nagra Power Supply Start by removing the power cable from the C14 IEC Appliance inlet of the CLASSIC DAC. The Mains switch position is no longer relevant when an external power supply is connected.
Place the front rotary selector in the OFF position. Insert the LEMO connector from the external power supply cable into the DC socket as shown beside. You will hear a click that indicates the connector is securely locked.
Please note that the LEMO plug features a red dot that must be facing upwards for a correct insertion into the DC power input socket.
The BLACK-sleeved LEMO plug should be connected to the CLASSIC PSU or the BLACK-sleeved LEMO plug with the additional BLACK ring to the Nagra MPS.
To disconnect the LEMO plug, hold the fluted section of the connector, and pull it backwards. LEMO DC POWER CABLE FOR NAGRA CLASSIC PSU Only use LEMO cables with BLACK & BROWN sleeves to benefit from the best Nagra CLASSIC PSU features The BLACK-sleeved LEMO plug should be connected to the Nagra CLASSIC PSU

Connection block on rear panel

1. Output block with 2x RCA
2. RESET of digital inputs board (NADM)
3. Input block with USB, OPTICAL, AES, Optical Nagra Links, S/PDIFs digital inputs
4. DC power input on 3 pole LEMO socket
5. Ground post
6. IEC Appliance inlet with Mains connector, Mains fuse, and Mains switch

To obtain optimal performance from the CLASSIC DAC, it is preferable to leave the device switched on for about 15 minutes before use, so that the internal components can reach their optimum operating temperature.
Note about the Ground post
Use of this feature is seldom necessary but can sometimes come in handy to solve specific setup issues. Your Nagra dealer will assist you on when and how to use this connector.

Audio inputs

| Input type| Input format
---|---|---
1:| USB B-type| DSD: up to DSD256 (DSD4x)
PCM: up to PCM 384kHz
2:| TOSLINK EIAJ optical (MM fiber)| PCM: up to PCM 192kHz
3:| AES/EBU| PCM: up to PCM 192kHz
4-7:| N-Link (MM fiber)| DSD: up to DSD256 (DSD4x)
PCM: up to PCM 384kHz
8:| S/PDIF 1 BNC| PCM: up to PCM 192kHz
9:| S/PDIF 2 RCA| PCM: up to PCM 192kHz

Front panel

1. LCD display and Modulometer backlight intensity switch, pushed up will increase the intensity, down will reduce it, there are 7 intensity levels.
2. Nagra Modulometer indicates the digital input level in dBFS (Full Scale) of the currently selected input. 0 dB being the maximum level. The black needle corresponds to the signal on the left channel and the red needle to that of the right channel.
3. LCD Display.
4. Controller knob to select the digital input and the phase inversion mode.
5. Front rotary selector.
6. IR window and remote control LED.

When turned ON, the CLASSIC DAC will go through a short preheating sequence (around 15s). This is to optimize the warming-up of components. This will allow your CLASSIC DAC to offer excellent performance for a longer period, since the components are managed gently. «HEATING» appears on the display during this sequence.
Note: In case of an accidental return to the OFF position of the front rotary selector for less than 1 second, the preheating is not reapplied.

Operations

Basic operations The typical Nagra front rotary selector offers 4 positions.

• OFF is similar to a STANDBY mode.
• R is for Remote control.
• MUTE, the unit is ON, but the audio signal is muted.
• ON, the unit is fully operational.

WITH AC POWER| WITH DC
POWER| |
---|---|---|---
Rear Mains switch| Power supply output| Front
rotary selector| Action
0| OFF| Any| The unit is totally off.
I| ON| OFF| The unit is in STANDBY mode. The device is still powered but the consumption remains very low.
I| ON| R| The unit can be triggered ON and OFF by the IR Remote Control Unit.
I| ON| MUTE| The unit is ON and muted (for warming-up).
I| ON| ON| The unit is fully operational.

Setting your CLASSIC DAC
Thanks to its LCD display and the controller, you will be able to set up your CLASSIC DAC to fully integrate it within your system. How to configure
It is simple, one knob that does everything.
You can rotate it or press it. If you rotate the Controller, you select the desired input.
If you push on it, you set/remove the phase inversion mode.
When the phase inversion mode is active, the character «Ø» appears in the lower right corner of the display: Phase inversion mode active

Nagra Modulometer Nagra Modulometer is inherited from the second recorder developed by Nagra back in 1952, the Nagra II. The Modulometer is a typical Nagra precision instrument that displays the necessary information to perform the best possible recordings. In the case of the CLASSIC DAC, the Modulometer displays the digital input level. The 0 dB corresponds to full scale signal, meaning the maximum digital level.
Left channel – black needle
Right channel – red needle

Modulometer & display intensity adjustment This toggle switch allows you to adjust the Modulometer & display backlight intensities. Pushing the toggle switch up will increase the intensity, pushing it down will lower the intensity all the way to no illumination. There are 7 different intensity levels.

IR Remote Control Unit

The Remote Control Unit, with batteries installed, should not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.
The CLASSIC DAC currently comes with the RCU-III IR Remote Control Unit with Philips RC-5 format encoding. Direct input selection

A USB
B AES
C S/PDIF 1
D S/PDIF 2
E N-LINK 1
F N-LINK 2

There is no direct selection key to the OPTICAL input. Use «+» key to select it.
Input selection with «-» and «+» keys
Press on «-» key to select one input before the current selection in the input list.
Press on «+» key to select one input after the current selection in the input list.
Power ON – OFF key
Toggle key to switch ON and OFF the CLASSIC DAC. When switching ON, the CLASSIC DAC automatically select the last input active before the last power OFF and its condition (input muted or not muted).
Note: Only operative when the front rotary selector is turned on the R position!
Battery installation/exchange
Open the battery drawer by removing the screw located on the back side of the Remote Control Unit with a small Phillips drive screwdriver.
Replace empty batteries with either 2x new AAA-Dry cell battery or 2x AAA- NiMH/NiCd rechargeable battery externally loaded.
**** By ensuring battery is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health. The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources. For more detailed information about recycling of battery, please contact your local authority, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the battery.

Using an “universal” RCU with the CLASSIC DAC
The CLASSIC DAC only responds to IR (Infra Red) signals coded in Philips RC-5 format. A default code 19 has been allocated to the CLASSIC DAC as a Digital-toAnalog converter.
Should you wish to program your universal Remote Control Unit, please use the following table:

Maintenance

Case cleaning
Clean the CLASSIC DAC casing using a soft, lint-free, slightly damp cloth. Do not use any cleaning products which could have a corrosive effect.

Technical specifications

Digital inputs| 1x Audio USB (UCA2), 1x AES/EBU, 2x S/PDIF, 2x NAGRA- LINK, 1x Optical.
---|---
Analog outputs| Unbalanced RCAs
Output impedance| ZOUT  < 430 Ω
Output level| 1.5 VRMS
Analog output Noise level| -128 dBr @ 1 kHz 1.3 V Linear
Distortion| < 0.02 %  @ -20 dBFS
THD + N| < 0.03 % @ 192 kHz
Frequency Response| 5 Hz – 40 kHz +0 / -1 dB
Crosstalk| > 100 dB
Inter-channel phase| <0.1 ° @ 20 kHz
Power supply| 1x 12 V / 0.8 A
1x 12.6 V / 0.8 A
or
100-240 V~ ±10% 50-60 Hz
With MPS, Classic PSU
With Classic PSU
With Mains
Power consumption| Pmax  10 W
Standby mode < 1W
Operating temperature| +15°C to +35°C
+59°F to +95°F
Moderate climate
Operating environment| Indoor only IP30
Dimensions L x W x H| 380 x 280 x 76 mm
15 x 11 x 3 in
Overall
Weight (net)| 5 kg / 11 lbs

Specifications may change without notice

Replacement parts

**** Disposal of old electrical & electronic equipment (Applicable inthe European Union and other European countries withseparate collection systems).
This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that it should be handed over to the applicable collection point for therecycling of electrical and electronic equipment. By ensuring thisproduct is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health.The recycling of materials will help to conserve naturalresources. For more detailed information about recycling of thisproduct, please contact your local authority, your householdwaste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.
Applicable to the following devices:
Nagra CLASSIC DAC and all the package contents

Nagra – CLASSIC DAC

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