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dCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual Software Issue 2.0x

November 2016

Vivaldi DAC Manual v2_0x Page 25 English version

SPDIF Digital Inputs

The unit features 3 electrical SPDIF inputs, labelled SPDIF1, SPDIF2 (N) and SPDIF3 (T), as well as

an optical SPDIF input on a Toslink connector (P). Pull out the dust cover before using the Toslink

input. The electrical inputs will accept sample rates up to 192kS/s including DoP, the Toslink input

accepts sample rates up to 96kS/s and is not tested or guaranteed at higher sample rates.

SDIF-2 Digital Interface

The SDIF-2 interface will accept either SDIF-2 PCM data at sample rates up to 96kS/s, or SDIF-2

DSD data. The unit automatically detects the data format and sets the correct mode. The interface

consists of two data inputs labelled CH1 and CH2 (O). Operation in SDIF mode requires that a word

clock from the source is connected to the Word Clock In1, In2 or In3 connector (R). Note that the

interface can fail to lock correctly if the data sample rate changes but the Word Clock does not.

The interface also accepts data in SDIF-3 format (DSD only), but this not tested or guaranteed.

USB Interface

The USB interface on a ‘B’ type connector (Q) will accept PCM data at up to 24 bits / 384kS/s from a

Windows™ PC, Apple Mac™ PC or sound server equipped with a suitable USB2.0 interface. The

interface will also accept DSD/64 or DSD/128 data packaged in DoP format and decode it as DSD.

This interface operates in true asynchronous mode, which makes the Vivaldi DAC immune to clock

jitter from the computer / sound server. The DAC uses its own internal clock or locks to the Master

Clock connected to one of the Word Clock inputs. Feedback through the USB cable to the computer

controls the data delivery rate.

We have tested this interface with several common formats running on Windows™ 10,

Windows™ 8.1, Windows™ 7, Windows™ Vista (SP2) and Apple Mac™ OSX 10.10 with

various PCM streaming programs but we cannot accept responsibility for correct

operation with all source devices, operating systems or software.

The USB interface is designed to work with a computer or sound server. Nothing useful

will happen if you connect the interface directly to an MP3 player or a flash drive. The

Vivaldi Upsampler does support this mode.

The Settings > USB Class menu page can set the interface to Class 1 (up to 96kS/s

without a special driver) or Class 2 (up to 384kS/s, a special driver is not required for

OSX 10.6.3 onwards, the dCS USB Class 2 Driver 2016 is required for Windows).

If you have updated your DAC software and want to use the USB port in Class 2 mode

with a Windows PC, un-install any earlier version of the Driver from your PC, and install

the 2015 version (see page 12).

DCS Vivaldi DAC User Manual

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