USER MANUAL
GOLDMUND METIS D/A
USB D/A Converter
Thank you for purchasing the Goldmund METIS D/A CONVERTER.
Please take some time to read this manual. It will provide you with useful information to make your
pleasure of listening to the METIS D/A even higher.
INTRODUCTION
GOLDMUND METIS D/A – USB D/A Converter
Goldmund was founded in 1978 and has ever since been dedicated to the accurate reproduction
of sound and image.
At Goldmund, we strive to lead in the creation, development and manufacture of the industry’s
most advanced technologies, including audio and video systems, home-networking and music
distribution.
The guiding principle at Goldmund is to produce a precise sound with the least possible loss of
quality through the different stages. Goldmund will never adopt a technology before it is sufficiently
developed to satisfy the high quality standards we set. This is why Goldmund has often rejected
mainstream technologies and developed its own.
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Table of Contents
1
PRELIMINARIES 5
2
SETTING UP THE METIS D/A 6
4
FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS 8
5
CLEANING 8
6
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9
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W A R N I N G !
W A R N I N G !W A R N I N G !
W A R N I N G !
No connection or manipulation must be done
before reading these instructions. Damage to
the USB D/A Converter may result if the
following instructions are not consciously
understood and applied.
This high quality converter possesses new
technical features like high bandwidth and ultra-
high dynamic capability which are or will
become necessary for an accurate conversion
of the today’s best digital messages as well as
tomorrow’s new formats.
Only careful installation and use can provide
the satisfaction you are expecting.
The installation instructions must be carried out
in full and the mentioned precautions taken to
get the expected result and to avoid impairing
the USB D/A converter’s performance.
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1 PRELIMINARIES
1.1 ABOUT YOUR METIS D/A CONVERTER
Thanks to its USB plug the Metis D/A converter is the perfect companion to your computer
music library.
However, if you wish to use your converter with a CD/DVD or Blu-ray transport, Goldmund
recommends the Goldmund Metis CD/DVD player or the Metis Universal Player.
Considering the extreme performance of the Metis D/A converter, the connection between
the digital sources and D/A converter is very critical. Use ultra-low reflection cables for the
SPDIF connection. Goldmund recommends using its special Goldmund Lineal cable.
1.2 UNPACKING
You will find in the GOLDMUND METIS D/A box:
- The Metis D/A Converter
- The power cord
- This manual
ATTENTION
Please keep the packaging in case you need to transport the METIS D/A at a later date or
if you have to send it for maintenance.
This packaging has been designed specifically to protect the METIS D/A in transit. Use of
alternative packaging is likely to result in damage, invalidating warranty cover.
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2 SETTING UP THE METIS D/A
2.1 CHOICE OF D/A CONVERTER LOCATION & COOLING
If you want to achieve the best possible sonic result, select a position on a shelf or on a
piece of furniture where the converter is isolated from vibrations of mechanical
components.
2.2 POWER SUPPLY
The Goldmund Metis D/A converter uses an internal power supply developed by Goldmund
to provide totally separate voltage between the USB part and the digital/analog circuitry.
Your power supply unit has been set to operate with the mains voltage of your area. Check
on the power supply voltage switch if there is any doubt. If you move after purchasing the
D/A converter to an area using a different AC mains voltage, you can change the voltage
yourself or consult your local Goldmund dealer for assistance in doing so.
The voltage selector on the rear panel allows choosing between 220V (234V nominal) and
110V (117V nominal).
Please refer to the Technical Specifications at the end of this manual for the main line
voltage range.
In case the nominal line voltage in your country is out of range, please consult your local
Goldmund dealer for assistance.
The power supply unit can operate indifferently with both 50 and 60 Hz AC line.
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3 FIRST INSTALLATION & CONNECTIONS
3.1 POWER CONNECTION
Plug the AC power cord to the power supply and in a wall socket.
The converter is powered by pressing the power switch located on the rear panel. For best
sonic results, Goldmund recommends leaving the converter powered on permanently.
3.2 SOURCES CONNECTION
Connect a computer, CD/DVD or Blu-ray player to the back panel of the Goldmund Metis
D/A, using either the USB Audio, RCA Digital or Toslink Optical connector.
The Metis D/A driver will automatically be installed on your computer when its input source
is connected for the first time with the USB audio connector.
It will then be identified as “Goldmund USB Audio” in all audio related software.
This installation is performed only at the first USB connection.
When the input source is connected, connect the analog output RCA connectors to the
analog preamplifier line level input or to the power amplifier analog input using a high
quality analog cable like the Goldmund Interconnect.
Only one connection per input can be used at once.
The automatic input selection has been set so the USB Audio connector has the priority
over the other input. To use the digital or optical input, turn off the computer to which the
USB input on disconnected or unplug the USB connection. The converter will then
automatically detect the RCA/Optical Toslink connection and will switch to it.
OS compatible USB Audio Class 1.0
(i.e. Windows Vista/XP/2000, Mac OS
X, and Linux).
It supports up to 96 kHz /24 bits.
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4 FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS
- Power key:
Power key:Power key:
Power key:
The power is switched on or off by the rear panel power switch key.
- Power LED:
Power LED:Power LED:
Power LED:
When power is ON, the green Led is lit.
-
--
- Locking LED:
Locking LED: Locking LED:
Locking LED:
When a digital signal is present at the unit’s input the orange Led shows the unit is locked
on this signal.
5 CLEANING
Always disconnect the power cord from the wall socket before cleaning your converter.
To clean the metal of the converter, always use a very soft cloth to avoid scratching the
surface. Use a soft cloth slightly wet for usual maintenance.
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6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
DIGIT
DIGITDIGIT
DIGITAL INPUT
AL INPUTAL INPUT
AL INPUT
• 1 x Digital S/PDIF coaxial RCA 75 Ohms or Toslink Optical
• 1 x USB AUDIO
ANALOG OUTPUT
ANALOG OUTPUTANALOG OUTPUT
ANALOG OUTPUT
• 1 x Analog output (LEFT)
• 1 x Analog output (RIGHT)
D/A CONVERTER CIRCUIT
D/A CONVERTER CIRCUITD/A CONVERTER CIRCUIT
D/A CONVERTER CIRCUIT
• Goldmund ultra-linear phase proprietary circuitry enhanced Alize 6 technology with
enhanced dynamics
• Bandwidth: +/- 0.5dB typical (20Hz-20kHz)
• Typical non-linearity: < 1 dB at -100dBFS
• Typical phase error between channels: < 0.5 degrees
• THD < 0,002% (0dBFS, 80KHz bandwidth measurement)
• Signal to noise ratio: 120 dB at 0dBFS
• Output voltage: 2 Vrms unbalanced
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
FRONT PANEL CONTROLSFRONT PANEL CONTROLS
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
• Separate Led display for Power (green) and for digital signal locking (orange)
REAR
REAR REAR
REAR PANEL CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS
PANEL CONNECTORS AND CONTROLSPANEL CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS
PANEL CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS
• 2 x analog RCA output connector
• 1 x digital SPDIF input connector & 1 x Toslink Optical connector
• 1 x USB Audio connector
• ON/OFF power switch key
• Voltage input selector
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6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (Ctd.)
POWER
POWER POWER
POWER
• 2 Separate Power transformers
• Nominal AC line voltage: 117V or 234V (+/- 10%)
SIZE AND WEIGHT
SIZE AND WEIGHTSIZE AND WEIGHT
SIZE AND WEIGHT
• 300 W x 300 D x 60 H (mm)
• 3.5 kg
WARRANTY
WARRANTYWARRANTY
WARRANTY
• 3 years, parts and labor
Information and product specifications contained in this manual are subject to change
without prior notice. Updated versions of this manual will be posted on our website at
www.goldmund.com.
Please visit our support page at http://www.goldmund.com/support/register to register your
Goldmund product for warranty.
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