Connect to this product quickly and simply using the rWand+ and the new FREE rWand+ app available from the iTunes App store!

The rDAC is available in two versions, the straight rDAC for use with local, directly connected sources and the rDAC-kw which adds wireless functionality using KLEER technology. Both rDAC variants offer supreme audio quality for the most demanding music lover. Housed in a slender, precision-cast case the rDac offers an ideal upgrade for conventional sources and network audio products alike.

If you store your music on a PC or Mac then the rWave USB dongle or rWand iPod/iPad dongle are the perfect way to stream your music direct to the rDAC-kw and on to your HiFi. No wires, no fuss.

Read an indepth review by Computer Audiophile magazine.

Soon after the birth of the CD player Arcam was the first company to add outboard digital to analogue (DAC) conversion as a sonic upgrade. The result was a dramatic increase in sound quality and its’ “Black Box” DAC went on to define a whole new product category.

In recent years computer and streaming audio has added to the popularity of the outboard DAC. In response Arcam have underlined their position at the forefront of this technology with the new rDAC.

Simple to look at, the rDAC’s sleek cast aluminum casework hides the very latest digital conversion using, at its core, the outstanding 8741 IC from Wolfson Microelectronics. Offering coaxial, optical or USB digital inputs the rDAC renders music with stunning accuracy and delivers a performance of thrilling musicality.

Uses for the rDAC are almost endless. Internet radio, set-top boxes and game stations can be connected via coaxial or optical leads to receive a dramatic increase in sound quality. PCs and Mac computers running music programs such as iTunes® or Windows Media Player can feed the rDAC via its USB input where special re-clocking circuitry has been deployed almost eliminating the jitter (timing inaccuracies) and noise usually associated with music in the computer environment.

To achieve this Arcam have teamed up with dCS (Data Conversion Systems), licensing their Asynchronous USB Technology*. This unique system is usually reserved for ultra high-end HiFi and professional audio applications. Arcam and dCS have had a long and fruitful relationship that goes back to the highly innovative Alpha 9 & CD23 versions of dCS’s Ring DAC

The dCS technology allows a precision clock to drastically reduce the level of jitter from USB music sources and delivers a massive improvement in sound quality over the standard USB ‘adaptive’ system. The design of precision clock circuits and general digital and analogue audio engineering are some of Arcam’s key strengths. The results from the highly affordable rDac are stunning regardless of the digital audio source.

The wireless version of the rDAC, the rDAC-kw comes ready to be connected to the rWave wireless USB dongle or rWand iPad/iPod dongle. These helpful accessories enable music to be sent wirelessly to your audio system from a laptop or mobile music device via the rDAC. The internal wireless receiver also features dCS technology and offers music lovers with large stored collections a level of performance that was previously only available from expensive audiophile systems.

* dCS Asynchronous USB technology used under license. Patents pending GB0817141.5 and US 12/63804.

Inputs

• 1x Optical SPDIF (Toslink socket)
• 1x Coaxial SPDIF (Gold plated socket)
• 1x USB
• 1x Wireless antenna (rDAC-KW only, requires rWave USB dongle or rWand iPod/ iPad dongle)

Outputs

• 2x RCA / Phono sockets (Gold plated)

Output Level

• 2.1VRMS ( at 0dBFS)

Audio Performance

• THD+N: 0.003% - (0dBFS, 1kHz, 22Hz to 22kHz, unweighted)
• Noise: -104dB - (relative to full scale, 22Hz to 22kHz, unweighted)

Dimensions

• Width: 160mm (6.3”)
• Depth: 111mm (4.4”)
• Height: 40mm (1.6”)

The rDAC comes from a long line of the very finest converters. It shows!

rDAC Frequently Asked Questions

(Clicking on any image within this FAQ will open a larger version of that image)

- My rDAC is plugged into my PC but I get no audio / I get sound out of my PC speakers?

It's possible that the rDAC is not the default sound playback device, and thus audio is still coming out of the normal PC sound card or PC speakers. (The rDAC’s green light shows that the host PC is aware of the rDAC as an audio device, and is operating correctly).

To prevent this from happening, please connect your rDAC before starting your audio application (e.g. iTunes, Windows Media Player etc).

The procedure to change the default sound playback device varies by operating system. As the device is plugged in or unplugged, the operating system may or may not automatically select the Arcam rDAC as the default device.

Windows XP
Via the Control Panel, open Sounds and Audio Devices. The third tab, Audio, shows a drop-down box to select the default sound playback device. Select the device called "Arcam DAC (rDAC)".

Windows Vista / 7
Via the Control Panel, select the Sound item. The Playback tab shows a list of playback devices. Select the device called "Speakers (Arcam DAC)".

Mac OS X
Via the Apple in the top-left corner of the screen, select System Preferences. Under the Hardware
section, select Sound. Select the ‘Output’ tab. From the list of devices in the Output tab, select "Arcam
DAC (rDAC)".

Linux distributions
The two most popular window systems, GNOME and KDE provide system configuration utilities to select the playback device. As this varies by distribution, by version and by users’ specific configurations, we cannot provide detailed instructions here. However, all linux systems that we tested in 2010 somewhere facilitated changing the playback device. Select the "Arcam DAC" or "Arcam Wireless Audio" device.

- My rDAC is plugged into my PC, the USB indicator shows green but I get no sound. It is the default USB audio device, but I still get no sound (or sound through my PC speakers) for my open application?

Some operating systems (e.g. Windows XP) cannot switch between different audio outputs whilst an application (e.g. iTunes, Windows Media Player or a web browser) is running. The solution is to connect and install the rDAC before starting any audio applications. If you have already started an audio application before plugging in the rDAC, close and re-open it.

It is best to plug in the rDAC before turning your computer on, so that it will be fully initialised before you start any applications.

- I hear operating system sounds through my HiFi system when the rDAC is connected.  How can I stop these?

Operating system sounds can be turned off using the settings controls for that operating system.

Windows XP
Via the Control Panel, open "Sounds and Audio Devices". The second tab, "Sounds", shows a drop-down box to select the sound scheme. Select the sound scheme called "No Sounds". Press "OK" to confirm.

Windows 7
Via the Control Panel, open "Sound". The third tab, Sounds, shows a drop-down box to select the sound scheme. Select the sound scheme called "No Sounds". Press "OK" to confirm.

Mac OSX
Via the Apple in the top-left corner of the screen, select" System Preferences". Under the "Hardware" section, select "Sound". In the "Sound Effect"' tab, click the tickbox labelled "Play user interface sound effects" to remove the tick. If you still hear unwanted sounds, drag the slider labelled "Alert volume" all the way to the left.

- My rDAC is plugged into my PC, has the green USB indicator, is selected as the playback device, but still I get no audio?

Some operating systems sometimes require manual intervention for the rDAC to install successfully. This is most likely if the rDAC is plugged into a different USB port to the one where it was previously connected. Windows XP exhibits this. The remedy is to "un-install" the device from the operating system to give Windows XP a clean start when the rDAC is next attached. Follow these instructions (with the rDAC connected) to remove the rDAC from Windows XP, then re-attach the rDAC.

1. In Control Panel, select "System". InSystem Properties, select the "Hardware tab". Click "Device Manager".
2. In Device Manager, under the "View" menu, turn on the option "Show Hidden Devices".
3. Expand the section "Sound, video and game controllers" by clicking on the cross to the right.
4. Highlight the item "USB Audio Device". This is likely to be the Arcam rWave, but could be another audio device if there are multiple USB Audio Devices in your system.
5. Right-click on "USB Audio Device" and select "Uninstall". Confirm the warning with "OK". If you have multiple USB Audio Device listed, uninstall all of them.
6. Disconnect the rWave from the PC, and reconnect.
7. There will be various notifications in yellow bubbles at the bottom right of your screen, the last will say "Your new hardware is ready to use".