Lake People DAC RS 06 User Manual - page 18
18
ABOUT THE ANALOG OUTPUT LEVEL
Unlike in the analog world, digital technology uses a clearly defined
maximum level, described as 0 dBFs, or "zero deciBels Full scale" in
clear text. From this maximum downward, signal levels are expressed
with a negative sign.
The
“translation“ of the digital level into analog is provided by the D/A
converter and is extremely flexible, whereby several standards have
established.
Professional broadcast facilities in Germany - i.e. radio and TV stations -
understand 0 dBFs as equivalent to +15 dBu analog level.
In other countries this may be handled differently.
Notabene, +15 dBu represent a voltage of 4.5 Veff which may exceed
the capabilities of many audio devices designed for a voltage swing of
1...2 volts. Therefore, the maximum output level of the DAC RS 06 can
be adapted by means of software. While factory-preset to +15dBu, the
maximum balanced output level can as well be set to +21 / +15 / +9 / +3
dBu. The unbalanced outputs have always 6 dB lower level: +15, +9,
+3, -3 dBu (+9 dBu ex works).
While the level adjustments are made inside the D/A converter, these
settings have no influence on the very low output impedance of all
analog outputs.
Also there will be no signal degradation due to the truncation of the
digital signal as the level setting is part of the 32 bit conversion process.
Theoretically the signal can be attenuated by 8 bit or 48 dB without
touching the original 24 bit resolution. When there are only 16 bit signals
present on the digital input (CD quality), the same would be true for 16
bit or 96 dB attenuation.