HeadRoom Headphone Amplifier & Digital-Analog Converter - Manual (Page 3)

4 5
The Micro DAC
Front Panel
1. Line Output The line out is the best sounding stereo-mini plug out there.
This is the signal source you plug into the input of your headphone amp. Don’t
forget to check out our Cardas mini to mini cables; they come in many flavors
. . . ok, four different lengths.
2. Optical/Coaxial Digital Input The optical input is your typical Toslink
connector. You get this input signal from the optical output of your player. Not
so many portable audio players have optical outputs anymore (call or check
our web site for recommendations), but many portable DVD players and some
hard disk drive players do. Of course, you can get this signal from many pieces
of home equipment.
3. USB Input The USB input gets its signal from a computer: laptop or desk-
top; PC, Mac, or Unix. There aren’t any portable players of any kind that have
the ability to talk to an external USB sound device . . . yet.
4. Input Select Switch If you are using both inputs select the one you
want to listen to with this switch.
5. Power Source Switch To the far right is the power source switch. It will
run on either the two internal 9-Volt batteries or an external power supply. If
the batteries are in and external supply is attached, the only way you can turn
it off is by selecting ‘external DC’ and then unplugging the power supply from
the back of the unit. We offer two power supplies: the less expensive version,
lovingly known as “brick”, power supply comes with the amp, the more ex-
pensive Base Station One will give you cleaner juice, and therefore cleaner,
more dynamic sound.
Rear Panel
6. External Power Input Connect either of your power supplies here.
7. Thumb Screws To change your batteries, unscrew the screws and re-
move the rear panel. Orientation of 2 nine volt batteries is indicated by the
illustrations on the rear panel.
1.
Line
Output
4.
Input
Select
2.
Optical/
Coaxial
Digital
Input
5.
Power
Source
Switch
3.
USB
Input
The Micro DAC Panel Descriptions
The unlikely marriage of a well supported Texas Instruments USB sound de-
vice chip (to get the S/PDIF signal), Cirrus Logic’s flagship D/A converter, and
two 9-Volt batteries bears the fruit of incredibly good sound anywhere you
want to set up a personal listening station. Take a tour of the front and rear
panels and here’s what you’ll find:
6.
External Power Input
7.
Thumb Screws