DACS have been designing and installing audio systems for over 25 years now. Things that would make our life easier just weren’t available; some came close but usually did other things too and had a very high price tag. Each install was different, and the clients’ needs were sometimes complicated in terms of signal routing. We ended up producing a lot of custom interfaces, some passive, some active. Their basic elements form the initial DACS Install passive interfaces.

DACS Install PCBs use 3 pole 3.5mm Phoenix type connectors for all audio connections. Each pin of each terminal can be individually checked, and the 3-way terminals can be removed/swopped for troubleshooting. Other connections for power and control ports are on two ways or a DC socket (central pin +ve).

The common audio 0V connects to all audio 0V/screens. When using balanced signals, it’s simple to ‘lift’ either the incoming or outgoing screen. We tend to lift the outgoing screen – “signal in – screen in, signal out – screen out” is easy to remember! The power 0V is NOT linked to the audio 0V.

The PCBs can be DIN rail mounted (with the optional Hammond DIN Rail clips) or housed in plastic or metal enclosures.

MIX 48mm x 17mm

Passive mixing of a balanced stereo signal into a single balanced output. Proper signal mixing with no level drop when used into a standard 10k input impedance. It can also mix 2 unbalanced stereo signals into a single unbalanced stereo output. We use it on the output of a music source where it’s easier to run a single cable on a relatively short run, or going into ‘dumb’ amps with no monoing capabilities.

SPLIT 48mm x 26mm

Passive splitting of 1 balanced input to 4 balanced outs. We use these on the rear of amp racks for simple signal distribution. You can easily check the amps by removing the 3-way terminals in sequence.

BALTIC 44.5mm x 36.5mm

For long lines, we have always used isolating transformers to maintain audio quality and hum/buzz free transmission. Commercial options were found wanting. And expensive. And not-useful-feature heavy.

I decided to make our own, with total control of layout and routing to get the best from the transformer in as simple a way as possible. The BALTIC passively mixes two balanced inputs; often the BALTIC is at the DJ’s stereo out, mixing to mono (since 99% of installs are mono in any case) feeding a single Starquad cable to the rack. Hundreds of hum/buzz free installs later we are offering our proven option to other installers.

In addition, our custom transformers are an order of magnitude better in THD + Noise than the (very good) off-the-shelf transformer we had used, they handle high levels (Pioneer!) as well as giving excellent frequency response, especially low end. The terminals allow you to omit the incoming or outgoing screen for full electrical isolation.

RJ45 LINK 01/BT 44.5mm x 36.5mm

Designed to work with the Ecler WPaBT Bluetooth receiver, this unit simplifies the whole connection process by sending all the audio, power and GPO connections down a single CAT 5/6. We recommend screened cable – the audio 0V is connected to the screen – but the connections will all work fine without; as long as the electro-magnetic environment is not too horrific, the twisted pairs for the audio give adequate protection. The transmission of audio through an unscreened twisted pair was used by the BBC for many years.

RJ45 LINK 02/VOL 4.5mm x 36.5mm

Send 4 balanced audio lines down one CAT5/6 cable. Again we recommend screened cable but connection without is quite robust. The pin out matches CATCore’s configuration (for T568A and B wiring) so these can act as breakout for SMD stage boxes and UP55 wall plates.

In addition, this can be used for an Ecler WPaVOL/SR; all the necessary connections are clearly labelled. A single FST cable connects to a GPI port (Vcc, 0V and VOL or Source). For connecting both Vol and Source, you would use two FST, with Vcc and 0V commoned.