dCS DACs oversample in several stages, eventually presenting the Ring DAC™ with 5-bit binary data at between 2.822MS/s and 6.144MS/s (depending on unit and settings). The Mapper decodes the data to a minimum of 32 digital signals, one corresponding to each binary state, then it scrambles the order of the signals. The Mapper randomises small matching errors in the Ring DAC core, converting what would be harmonic distortion to a small amount of extra noise.
The new Mappers are a milestone in the development of the dCS Ring DAC™, which forms the heart of Vivaldi 2.0, Rossini 2.0 and Bartók 2.0. Taking over a year to model and implement in software, the new Mappers greatly improve on the very technology that makes dCS unique. The 5-bit binary music data obtained after the oversampling and digital filtering stages is assigned, or mapped, onto forty- eight latch outputs at the core of the Ring DAC™. These outputs drive balanced current sources which are mixed, filtered, and amplified to produce the analogue output signal. The new Mapper algorithms have been developed to run at higher speeds while better avoiding mismatches that occur between outputs, further reducing any errors correlated with the signal. The results are superior linearity, even at very low signal levels.
This sophisticated Mapper functionality is implemented in the Ring DAC™ through dedicated FPGAs, offering dCS the power to improve and change these fundamental algorithms through software updates. This unprecedented flexibility also allows the user to choose their desired Mapper from a simple menu item. Version 2.00 software allows for two new Mappers (Mapper 1 and 3) together with the original (Mapper 2) for comparison. Subjectively, both new Mappers bring more detailed, expressive, tonally-complete, and full-bodied character over the original, but each offer subtle differences in sound that users can choose between, depending on their preference and ancillary equipment.