BLUDAC2: How To Set Up & Use

Introduction

The Rockville BLUDAC2 is a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and home receiver that enhances audio quality from TVs, computers, smartphones, gaming consoles, and more. It automatically reads bit depth and sample rate from connected devices and converts digital signals into high-fidelity analog audio.

This guide will walk you through setup, speaker connections, and input options, ensuring you get the best sound quality from your system.

What’s Included?

• BLUDAC2 receiver (available in Black or Silver)
• USB-C to USB-A cable
• Bluetooth antenna
• Wireless remote
• Power supply

Step 1: Connecting Speakers

The BLUDAC2 amplifier is 4-ohm stable, meaning you can connect multiple speakers as long as the total load does not go below 4 ohms per channel.

Single Speaker Connection

1. Loosen the speaker terminals on the back of the receiver.
2. Insert the speaker wire:
   • Red wire → Positive (+) terminal
   • Black wire → Negative (-) terminal
3. Connect the other end of the wire to the corresponding terminals on your speaker.
4. Repeat for the second speaker.

Parallel Wiring for Additional Speakers

If using 8-ohm speakers, you can connect two speakers per channel for a total of 4 ohms per channel. Watch Rockville’s parallel wiring video for more details.

Step 2: Connecting a Subwoofer

The BLUDAC2 includes an RCA subwoofer output for adding low-end bass.

1. Option 1: Single RCA Connection
   • Connect one RCA cable from the subwoofer output to one channel of your subwoofer's input.
2. Option 2: Dual RCA Connection
   • Use a single RCA-to-dual RCA cable.
   • Connect one end to the BLUDAC2’s sub out.
   • Connect the other end to both the left and right RCA inputs on the subwoofer.

Step 3: Understanding the BLUDAC2 Controls

• Power Button – Press to turn the unit on/off.
• Mode Select Button – Switch between USB, Optical, Coaxial, AUX, and Bluetooth inputs.
• Volume Wheel – Adjusts the overall output volume.
• Bass/Treble Adjustment – Press to adjust bass or treble levels.

Step 4: Connecting Input Sources

The BLUDAC2 supports multiple input options, making it easy to integrate into your existing setup.

USB Input (For Computers & Laptops)

1. Connect your PC or Mac using the included USB-C to USB-A cable.
2. Set Up Audio Output on Windows:
   • Click the sound icon in the bottom-right taskbar.
   • Select BLUDAC2 as the output device.
   • Right-click the sound icon → Sounds → Playback tab → Select BLUDAC2→ Set Default.
   • Go to Advanced settings → Select 24-bit, 48kHz sample rate → Apply.
3. Set Up Audio Output on Mac:
   • Open System Preferences → Sound.
   • Set BLUDAC2 as the output device.
   • Open Audio MIDI Setup → Select BLUDAC2.
   • Adjust bit depth and sample rate as needed (e.g., 48kHz or 96kHz).

Optical Input (For TVs & Gaming Consoles)

1. Connect an optical cable from the TV’s optical output to the BLUDAC2’s optical input.
2. Set the BLUDAC2to Optical Mode.
3. Adjust TV Settings:
   • Audio Output → Set to Optical Audio Out.
   • Audio Format → Set to PCM (Stereo).
4. Increase volume on the BLUDAC2 to hear sound from your TV.

For Gaming Consoles:

• Connect an optical cable from the console’s optical output to the BLUDAC2’s optical input.
• Adjust the audio settings on the console to output via Optical.

Bluetooth Pairing

1. Switch the BLUDAC2to Bluetooth mode.
2. The "BT" icon will flash, indicating pairing mode.
3. On your smartphone/tablet, go to Bluetooth settings.
4. Search for and select "BLUDAC2".
5. Once connected, the "BT" icon will stay solid.

🎵 The BLUDAC2 supports Bluetooth audio at 48kHz for high-quality wireless streaming.

AUX Input (For Analog Devices)

If using a 3.5mm AUX cable, switch the receiver to AUX mode.

Step 5: Expanding Your Audio System

The BLUDAC2 offers additional outputs for expanding your setup:

• Coaxial Input – Alternative to Optical for digital connections.
• RCA Line Output – Connect to external amplifiers or powered speakers.

Conclusion

The Rockville BLUDAC2 is a versatile and high-performance digital-to-analog converter and home receiver. With multiple input options, Bluetooth connectivity, and high-fidelity sound conversion, it’s an excellent addition to any home audio setup.