Alpine DAI-C990 D/A Converter

Company Information

Alpine Electronics Marketing, Inc.

1-1-8 Nishi Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0031, Japan

Phone: 03-5496-8231

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

19145 Gramercy Place, Torrance, California 90501, U.S.A.

Phone: 1-800-ALPINE-1 (1-800-257-4631)

Alpine Electronics of Canada, Inc.

7300 Warden Ave., Suite 203, Markham, Ontario L3R 9Z6, Canada

Phone: 1-800-ALPINE-1 (1-800-257-4631)

Alpine Electronics of Australia Pty. Ltd.

6-8 Fiveways Boulevarde Keysborough, Victoria 3173, Australia

Phone: 03-9769-0000

Alpine Electronics GmbH

Frankfurter Ring 117, 80807 München, Germany

Phone: 089-32 42 640

Alpine Electronics of U.K. Ltd.

Alpine House, Fletchamstead Highway, Coventry CV4 9TW, U.K.

Phone: 0870-33 33 763

Alpine Electronics France S.A.R.L.

98, Rue de la Belle Etoile, Z.I. Paris Nord II, B.P. 50016, 95945 Roissy Charles de Gaulle Cedex, France

Phone: 01-48638989

Alpine Italia S.p.A.

Viale C. Colombo 8, 20090 Trezzano Sul Naviglio (MI), Italy

Phone: 02-484781

Alpine Electronics de España, S.A.

Portal de Gamarra 36, Pabellón, 32, 01013 Vitoria (Alava) - APDO 133, Spain

Phone: 945-283588

Sankei Kikaku Co., Ltd.

1-13-38, Hinodai, Hino, Tokyo, Japan

Designed by Alpine Japan

Printed in Japan (S)

Product Model Number Reference: 68P70033Y61-0

Product Image Description: A sleek, metallic D/A converter unit with the "Alpine F1 Status" branding and the model name "DAI-C990" prominently displayed.

Product Overview

DAI-C990 D/A CONVERTER

This manual provides instructions for the Alpine DAI-C990 D/A Converter.

Languages covered in this manual include English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Swedish.

Contents

WARNING

• WARNING
• CAUTION
• PRECAUTIONS

Main Sections

• Control and Connection Descriptions
• Accessories
• Installation
• Connection
• Example of system expansion
• Information (In case of difficulty)
• Specifications
• LIMITED WARRANTY

WARNING

This symbol means important instructions. Failure to heed them can result in serious injury or death.

• DO NOT DISASSEMBLE OR ALTER. Doing so may result in an accident, fire or electric shock.
• USE THE CORRECT AMPERE RATING WHEN REPLACING FUSES. Failure to do so may result in fire or electric shock.
• MAKE THE CORRECT CONNECTIONS. Failure to make the proper connections may result in fire or product damage.
• USE ONLY IN CARS WITH A 12 VOLT NEGATIVE GROUND. (Check with your dealer if you are not sure.) Failure to do so may result in fire, etc.
• BEFORE WIRING, DISCONNECT THE CABLE FROM THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL. Failure to do so may result in electric shock or injury due to electrical shorts.
• DO NOT ALLOW CABLES TO BECOME ENTANGLED IN SURROUNDING OBJECTS. Arrange wiring and cables in compliance with the manual to prevent obstructions when driving. Cables or wiring that obstruct or hang up on places such as the steering wheel, shift lever, brake pedals, etc. can be extremely hazardous.
• DO NOT SPLICE INTO ELECTRICAL CABLES. Never cut away cable insulation to supply power to other equipment. Doing so will exceed the current carrying capacity of the wire and result in fire or electric shock.
• DO NOT DAMAGE PIPE OR WIRING WHEN DRILLING HOLES. When drilling holes in the chassis for installation, take precautions so as not to contact, damage or obstruct pipes, fuel lines, tanks or electrical wiring. Failure to take such precautions may result in fire.
• DO NOT USE BOLTS OR NUTS IN THE BRAKE OR STEERING SYSTEMS TO MAKE GROUND CONNECTIONS. Bolts or nuts used for the brake or steering systems (or any other safety-related system), or tanks should NEVER be used for installations or ground connections. Using such parts could disable control of the vehicle and cause fire etc.
• DO NOT BLOCK VENTS OR RADIATOR PANELS. Doing so may cause heat to build up inside and may result in fire.
• KEEP SMALL OBJECTS SUCH AS BATTERIES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Swallowing them may result in serious injury. If swallowed, consult a physician immediately.

CAUTION

This symbol means important instructions. Failure to heed them can result in injury or material property damage.

• DO NOT INSTALL IN LOCATIONS WHICH MIGHT HINDER VEHICLE OPERATION, SUCH AS THE STEERING WHEEL OR SHIFT LEVER. Doing so may obstruct forward vision or hamper movement etc. and results in serious accident.
• DO NOT OPERATE ANY FUNCTION THAT TAKES YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM SAFELY DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE. Any function that requires your prolonged attention should only be performed after coming to a complete stop. Always stop the vehicle in a safe location before performing these functions. Failure to do so may result in an accident.
• KEEP THE VOLUME AT A LEVEL WHERE YOU CAN STILL HEAR OUTSIDE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. Failure to do so may result in an accident.
• MINIMIZE DISPLAY VIEWING WHILE DRIVING. Viewing the display may distract the driver from looking ahead of the vehicle and cause an accident.
• USE THIS PRODUCT FOR MOBILE 12V APPLICATIONS. Use for other than its designed application may result in fire, electric shock or other injury.
• HAVE THE WIRING AND INSTALLATION DONE BY EXPERTS. The wiring and installation of this unit requires special technical skill and experience. To ensure safety, always contact the dealer where you purchased this product to have the work done.
• USE SPECIFIED ACCESSORY PARTS AND INSTALL THEM SECURELY. Be sure to use only the specified accessory parts. Use of other than designated parts may damage this unit internally or may not securely install the unit in place. This may cause parts to become loose resulting in hazards or product failure.
• ARRANGE THE WIRING SO IT IS NOT CRIMPED OR PINCHED BY A SHARP METAL EDGE. Route the cables and wiring away from moving parts (like the seat rails) or sharp or pointed edges. This will prevent crimping and damage to the wiring. If wiring passes through a hole in metal, use a rubber grommet to prevent the wire's insulation from being cut by the metal edge of the hole.
• DO NOT INSTALL IN LOCATIONS WITH HIGH MOISTURE OR DUST. Avoid installing the unit in locations with high incidence of moisture or dust. Moisture or dust that penetrates into this unit may result in product failure.
• HALT USE IMMEDIATELY IF A PROBLEM APPEARS. Failure to do so may cause personal injury or damage to the product. Return it to your authorized Alpine dealer or the nearest Alpine Service Centre for repairing.

PRECAUTIONS

• Be sure to disconnect the cable from the (-) battery post before installing your DAI-C990. This will reduce any chance of damage to the unit in case of a short-circuit.
• Be sure to connect the color coded leads according to the diagram. Incorrect connections may cause the unit to malfunction or damage to the vehicle's electrical system.
• When making connections to the vehicle's electrical system, be aware of the factory installed components (e.g. on-board computer). Do not tap into these leads to provide power for this unit. When connecting the DAI-C990 to the fuse box, make sure the fuse for the intended circuit of the DAI-C990 has the appropriate amperage. Failure to do so may result in damage to the unit and/ or the vehicle. When in doubt, consult your ALPINE dealer.
• The DAI-C990 uses female RCA-type jacks for connection to other units (e.g. amplifier) having RCA connectors. You may need an adaptor to connect other units. If so, please contact your authorized ALPINE dealer for assistance.
• Be careful not to cause a short by jamming the cable into the computer when connecting. It can cause a fault.
• Alpine accepts no responsibility for damaged or lost data in your computer etc., even if data etc., is damaged or lost while using this product.

Wiring Connections

Improper wiring connections could cause serious damage to your audio system. Be sure you:

1. DO NOT connect (-) wires from left and right speakers together.
2. DO NOT ground any speaker wires.
3. DO NOT run wires where they may be pinched or cut.
4. DO NOT leave bare speaker terminals exposed. They may contact the vehicle chassis and cause a short.

Fuse

When replacing the fuse(s), the replacement fuse must be of the same amperage as shown on the fuse holder. If the fuse(s) blows more than once, carefully check all electrical connections for shorted circuitry. Also have your vehicle's voltage regulator checked. Do not attempt to repair the unit yourself; return it to your Alpine dealer or nearest Alpine Service Station for servicing.

Temperature

In order to ensure proper performance, be sure the temperature in your vehicle is above 14°F (-10°C) and below 140°F (60°C) before turning your unit on. Good air circulation is essential to prevent internal heat build-up in the unit.

Installation Location

Make sure the DAI-C990 will not be installed in a location subjected to:

• Direct sun and heat
• High humidity and water
• Excessive dust
• Excessive vibrations

Maintenance

If you have problems, do not attempt to repair the unit yourself. Return it to your Alpine dealer or the nearest Alpine Service Station for servicing.

IMPORTANT

Please record the serial number of your unit in the space provided below and keep it as a permanent record. The serial number plate is located on the bottom of the unit.

SERIAL NUMBER:

INSTALLATION DATE:

INSTALLATION TECHNICIAN:

PLACE OF PURCHASE:

To prevent external noise from entering the audio system:

• Locate the unit and route the leads at least 10 cm away from the car harness.
• Keep the battery power leads as far away from other leads as possible.
• Connect the ground lead securely to a bare metal spot (remove any paint, dirt or grease if necessary) of the car chassis.
• If you add an optional noise suppressor, connect it as far away from the unit as possible. Your Alpine dealer carries various noise suppressors. Contact them for further information.
• Your Alpine dealer knows best about noise prevention measures so consult your dealer for further information.

Control and Connection Descriptions

1. Crossover Mode Selector Switch (Front HPF)

Set to HP to turn on the HPF crossover. The Front output becomes mid-range to highs only. To use the Front output for full-range, set to OFF.

2. Crossover Frequency Adjustment Control (Front HPF)

Use with the crossover mode selector switch (Front HPF) set to HP. Use this control to adjust the crossover frequency between 30 and 400 Hz. It is normally set to 50Hz, but you can adjust it to a level you like.

3. Crossover Mode Selector Switch (Rear HPF)

Set to HP to turn on the HPF crossover. The Rear output becomes mid-range to highs only. To use the Rear output for full-range, set to OFF.

4. Crossover Frequency Adjustment Control (Rear HPF)

Use with the crossover mode selector switch (Rear HPF) set to HP. Use this control to adjust the crossover frequency between 30 and 400 Hz. It is normally set to 50Hz, but you can adjust it to a level you like.

5. Phase Selector Switch (Subwoofer)

The subwoofer phase can be changed. While sitting in the driving seat, you can switch between 0° (normal phase) and 180° (reverse phase) and choose whichever setting has the lower frequency range output. 180° (reverse phase) may be better depending on the speaker installation position and the shape of the car.

6. Crossover Frequency Adjustment Control (Subwoofer LPF)

Use this control to adjust the crossover frequency between 30 and 400 Hz. It is normally set to 100Hz, but you can adjust it to a level you like.

Diagram Description (Controls): The diagram shows the top panel of the DAI-C990 with six labeled controls: 1. Crossover Mode Selector Switch (Front HPF) with OFF/HP options. 2. Crossover Frequency Adjustment Control (Front HPF) with a dial marked from 30Hz to 400Hz. 3. Crossover Mode Selector Switch (Rear HPF) with OFF/HP options. 4. Crossover Frequency Adjustment Control (Rear HPF) with a dial marked from 30Hz to 400Hz. 5. Phase Selector Switch (Subwoofer) with 0°/180° options. 6. Crossover Frequency Adjustment Control (Subwoofer LPF) with a dial marked from 30Hz to 400Hz.

Terminal Descriptions

7. Fuse (7.5A)

8. Battery terminal: Connect this terminal directly to the positive (+) terminal of the vehicle's battery. Do not connect this terminal to a switched voltage source (such as Ignition).

9. Remote OUT terminal: Use this output to control an amplifier or other peripheral device.

10. Ground terminal: Connect securely to a metal part of the vehicle's body using the ground cord.

11. IONBUS Port: Use these ports to connect to IONBUS compatible head units or peripheral devices.

12. DVD Audio Link Port: Input a DVD Audio signal to this port.

13. Subwoofer Output: Output signal to drive the subwoofer amplifier.

14. Rear Output: Output signal to drive the Rear amplifier.

15. Front Output: Output signal to drive the Front amplifier.

Notes on Ports: The covers for the DVD Audio and IONBUS ports must be removed when connecting the DVD Audio Link cable and the IONBUS cable. Leave the covers on if you are not using these ports.

Playback Compatibility: This unit is incompatible with multi-channel playback. Select stereo (2ch) audio from sources that contain stereo (2ch) audio, such as DVD video or DVD audio. Even if discs with multi-channel audio such as DVD video/DVD audio are played, the same audio is output from the rear/subwoofer as the front (the subwoofer is LP). The output for the subwoofer in this unit is fixed at stereo. To playback through the subwoofer alone, use an external amplifier that can mix the L/R audio.

Diagram Description (Rear Panel): The diagram shows the rear panel of the DAI-C990 with labeled terminals and ports: 7. Fuse (7.5A). 8. Battery terminal (+). 9. Remote OUT terminal. 10. Ground terminal (GND). 11. IONBUS Ports (IONBUS 1, IONBUS 2). 12. DVD Audio Link Port. 13. Subwoofer Output. 14. Rear Output (L/R). 15. Front Output (L/R).

Accessories

• IONBUS cable (6m)
• DVD Audio Link cable (6m)
• Pan head screws (M4 x 14) - x 4
• Ferrite Core - x 2

Ferrite Core Installation: Attach the Ferrite Core (included) to both ends of the IONBUS cable at a location where the product does not touch the core when installing. When connecting to the main unit, attach the core at a location of approximately 4 cm from the terminal end.

Required Cables (Sold Separately): For connection of DAI-C990, the battery power cable, ground cable, and remote out cable are necessary.

Installation

1. Decide on the installation location. The trunk, etc., is the best place.
2. Mark the positions of the mounting screws at the chosen location.
3. Drill 3 mm (1/8") holes or smaller.

   WARNING: When making holes, be careful not to damage pipes, tanks, electric wires, etc. Doing so could lead to accidents or fire.

4. Securely mount the unit using the four included pan head screws (M4 x 14).

Diagram Description (Mounting): The diagram illustrates the unit being mounted using four pan head screws (M4 x 14) into pre-drilled holes in a surface.

Connection

Basic Connections Diagram:

The diagram shows the rear terminals of the DAI-C990 and their connections:

• Ground cable (sold separately): Connects to the Ground terminal and is fixed to a metal part of the car with a screw.
• Remote OUT cable (sold separately): Connects to the Remote OUT terminal and is used to connect to an external amplifier remote on cord.
• Battery power cable (sold separately): Connects to the Battery terminal and then to the vehicle's 12V battery.

Note on Battery Connection: When connecting the Battery power cable directly to the battery terminal, a fuse at the battery should be used to protect your equipment. Please consult with your Alpine dealer for the proper fuse value.

Example of System Expansion

This section details connecting the DAI-C990 with a DVI-9990R/DVI-9990E Head Unit, TMI-M990 Monitor, and an Ai-NET compatible Changer.

Diagram Description (System Expansion): The diagram illustrates a complex car audio system setup. It shows the DAI-C990 connected via IONBUS cables to a head unit (DVI-9990R/DVI-9990E) and a monitor (TMI-M990). It also shows connections for an Ai-NET compatible changer (via KCI-500B) and an external amplifier. Various cables like IONBUS cable, DVD Audio LINK cable, S terminal cable, and Ai-NET cable are depicted. Ferrite cores are shown attached to some cables. The system switch on the head unit can be set to SYSTEM or STANDALONE.

Connection Notes:

• IONBUS compatible products can be connected in any order; the diagram shows an example.
• If an Ai-NET compatible changer is not connected, the KCI-500B does not need to be connected.
• The separately sold multimedia manager (PXI-H990) cannot be connected and used.
• If connecting this unit to the head unit (DVI-9990R/DVI-9990E) only, then connect the IONBUS cable to the head unit side.
• This unit operates when connected to the head unit (DVI-9990R/DVI-9990E). It does not work when connected with an Ai-Net compatible head unit.
• For details about connections, refer to the instruction manual of the product you are connecting with.

Information - In Case of Difficulty

If you encounter a problem, please review the items in the following checklist. This guide will help you isolate the problem if the unit is at fault. Otherwise, make sure the rest of your system is properly connected or consult your authorized Alpine dealer.

Set does not operate. Nothing appears on the head unit display.

• Vehicle's ignition key is turned off.
  • Turn the vehicle's ignition key on.
• Set's power is not turned on.
  • Turn the vehicle's ignition key on then turn on the power of the head unit.
• Power cord is not securely connected.
  • Connect the power cord securely.
• Fuse is blown.
  • Replace with a fuse of the specified capacity.

Power is on but no sound is produced.

• Volume level is set to the minimum.
  • Increase the volume level from the head unit.

No sound is produced from the speakers.

• Cords are not securely connected.
  • Connect the cords securely.
• Check the connections to the external amplifier (Remote OUT cable, RCA Extension cable).

"System Error” is displayed on the head unit.

• The connections are incomplete.
  • Check the Battery power cable and the Ground cable connections on this unit.
  • Check the IONBUS cable connection.
• Fuse is blown.
  • Replace with a fuse of the specified capacity.

Specifications

• Frequency response (DVD-Audio): 20 Hz to 20 kHz (20 Hz~96 kHz) (when HPF is off for front/rear channel)
• S/N ratio: 110 dB (IHF-A)
• Channel separation: 90 dB (Front/Rear (when HPF is on))
• Subwoofer crossover: 30 to 400 Hz (ANALOG-VR), Fixed Slope 12dB/OCT.
• Rated output: 4V (with 10 k ohms load)
• Output impedance: 1 k ohm or less
• Weight: 2.1 kg (4 lbs. 10 oz)
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 260 mm (10-3/16")
  • Height: 67 mm (2-5/8")
  • Depth: 160 mm (6-1/4")

Due to continuous product improvement, specifications and design are subject to change without notice.

The illustrations included in these instructions may appear different from the actual product due to printing conditions.

LIMITED WARRANTY

Information regarding the limited warranty is not detailed in the provided text snippets, but typically this section would outline warranty terms, duration, and coverage.