SONCOZ SGD1 High Fidelity Fully-Balanced DAC

User Manual V1.0 - January 2020

01 Overview

Welcome to the SONCOZ SGD1, a high-performance digital-to-analogue converter developed and manufactured by SONCOZ Technology in Shenzhen, PRC. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with its operation.

Rear Panel

A diagram illustrates the rear panel of the SGD1 DAC, featuring the following connections and controls:

1. XLR Analogue Output (Left and Right): 4.0Vrms @0dBFS
2. RCA Analogue Output (Left and Right): 2.0Vrms @0dBFS
3. AES Input: Supports 24-bit/192kHz
4. Coaxial Output: Supports 24-bit/192kHz
5. USB-C Input: Supports 32-bit/768kHz PCM and up to DSD512 (Native)
6. USB-B Input: Supports 32-bit/768kHz PCM and up to DSD512 (Native). When both USB-C and USB-B are connected, USB-B is the default. Users can switch between USB-B and USB-C using the front panel knob or the remote control.
7. Optical Input: Supports 24-bit/192kHz
8. Coaxial Input: Supports 24-bit/192kHz
9. Voltage Selector Switch: Crucial for selecting the correct voltage (110V for AC 100~120V @50/60Hz or 220V for AC 220~240V @50/60Hz) before use to prevent damage.
10. AC Power Input Connector: Recommended to use the customized three-phase power cable for optimal playback quality.
11. Fuse: Includes a backup fuse.
12. Power Switch: Ensure the local voltage level is correctly set before powering on.

Front Panel

The front panel features various indicators and a multi-function control knob:

1. USB-B Input Indicator
2. USB-C Input Indicator
3. Bluetooth (aptX HD 5.0) Input Indicator
4. AES Input Indicator
5. Optical Input Indicator
6. Coaxial Input Indicator
7. Coaxial Output Indicator: Coaxial output is always enabled. All six digital inputs can be converted to coaxial output.
8. Apodizing Fast Roll-off Filter (APOD) Mode Indicator (Default)
9. Brick Wall Filter (BRIC) Mode Indicator
10. Minimum Phase Fast Roll-off Filter (FAM) Mode Indicator
11. Linear Phase Fast Roll-off Filter (FAL) Mode Indicator
12. Hybrid Fast Roll-off Filter (HYER) Mode Indicator
13. Minimum Phase Slow Roll-off Filter (SLM) Mode Indicator
14. Linear Phase Slow Roll-off Filter (SLL) Mode Indicator
15. WiFi/Bluetooth Antenna: For system OTA (Over-The-Air) updates. Allows network configuration for SGD1, control via APP, and software upgrades.
16. IR Receiving Window: For the IR remote control.
17. Bluetooth (aptX HD 5.0) Special Antenna: For high-definition music.
18. LED Lamp Band: Serves as a volume indicator.
19. Multi-function Knob Button: Integrates all functions and operations of the SGD1.

02 Operations and Settings

The SONCOZ SGD1 features a single multi-function knob on the front panel that controls various functions:

Volume Up and Down Control: Turn the knob left or right. The default volume is -64dB. The LED lamp band visually indicates the current volume level.
Mute Analogue Output XLR/RCA: Press the knob once to enter silent mode. This mute function applies only to the analogue outputs (XLR/RCA).
Digital Inputs Switching: Press the knob once, then turn it to cycle through the six digital input channels: USB-B, USB-C, Bluetooth, AES, Optical, and Coaxial. The volume level for each input channel can be adjusted independently and is stored in memory even after power loss.
Filter Modes Switching: Long-press the knob, then turn it to cycle through the seven available filter modes: APOD, BRIC, FAM, FAL, HYER, SLM, and SLL. The filter mode for each input channel can be set independently and is retained in memory.
OTA Mode Setting and Reset:
- Double-press the knob three times to enter the network configuration mode. All LED indicators will illuminate.
- Use the Esptouch APP (downloadable from Apple App Store, Google Play, or www.soncoz.com) to configure the SGD1 with a 2.4G WiFi network.
- Upon restarting after a power cycle, the SGD1 will automatically connect to the network to check for available firmware updates.
- If a new firmware version is found, the SGD1 will automatically download and install it, then restart.
- If no new firmware is available, the 2.4G WiFi network will be disabled after approximately one minute.
- To reset the system, press and hold the knob for about 6 seconds.

03 Remote Control

The included remote control provides access to the following functions:

1. Mute the SGD1
2/9. Switch the filter mode
3/4/8. Null (Functionality not specified)
5. Coaxial input selection
6. Optical input selection
7. AES input selection
10. Bluetooth input selection
11. USB-B input selection
12. USB-C input selection
13. Volume up
14. Volume down

A diagram of the remote control is provided, showing numbered buttons corresponding to these functions.

04 Specifications

Detailed technical specifications for the SONCOZ SGD1:

Dimensions: 250mm (Width) x 225mm (Depth) x 55mm (Height)
Weight: 3Kg
Power Input: AC110V / AC220V. Users must verify and select the correct local voltage setting.
Power Consumption: Less than 9W
Signal Input: Supports USB-B, USB-C, Bluetooth, Optical, Coaxial, and AES inputs.
Digital Output: Coaxial
Line Out: Available via XLR and RCA connectors.
RCA Output: (Note: The original text mentions "RCA: Coaxial input" which appears to be a mislabeling; it likely refers to RCA output specifications).
Frequency Response: 20Hz~20KHz (±0.15dB) for XLR; 20Hz~20KHz (±0.15dB) for RCA.
Dynamic Range: >126dB A-Weighted (XLR); >124dB A-Weighted (RCA).
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): >126dB A-Weighted (XLR); >124dB A-Weighted (RCA).
Output Voltage: 4.0Vrms (XLR); 2.0Vrms (RCA).
THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise): <0.000096% @1kHz (XLR); <0.000100% @1kHz (RCA).
Crosstalk: >143dB (XLR); >140dB (RCA).
Output Impedance: 200Ω (XLR); 100Ω (RCA).
Noise Floor Modulation: 1.3 µVrms.

05 Typical Applications

The SGD1 can be used in various audio setups:

DAC Application: A diagram shows the SGD1 connected via RCA cables to speakers and via a USB cable to a computer or mobile device.
Digital Interface Application: A diagram illustrates the SGD1 connected via a coaxial cable to a source device, a USB cable to a computer or mobile device, and speaker cables to speakers.

06 Contents List

The package includes the following items:

SONCOZ SGD1 unit x1
USB-B Cable x1
AC Cable x1
Remote Control x1
User's Manual (electronic version) x1
LOGO Sticker x2

Note: Drivers and the user's manual can be downloaded from the official SONCOZ website: http://www.soncoz.com.

07 Test Results

The document presents detailed test results for the SGD1, including graphical representations and data tables for the following performance metrics:

Balanced THD+N Ratio @ 0dBFS
Unbalanced THD+N Ratio @ 0dBFS
Dynamic Range @ -160dBFS
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) @ -160dBFS
XLR Crosstalk
RCA Crosstalk
Frequency Response (20Hz-40kHz)
IMD Sweep
Jitter measurements

Each test section typically includes input parameters, output data, and visual plots of the measurements.