Benchmark DAC1 USB: Unmask Your Audio
The Benchmark DAC1 USB is a reference-quality, 2-channel 24bit/192kHz Digital-to-Analog audio converter featuring Benchmark's Advanced USB Audio technology, UltraLock™ clock system, and HPA2™ headphone amplifier. The pristine audio path of the award-winning DAC1 has made it the Benchmark of stand-alone D/A converters. The DAC1 USB preserves the exact topology of this audio path while adding some of the most frequently requested features.
"The sound seemed to surround me, with terrific depth, high frequency 'air' and detail were superb, but the midrange was warm and natural."
— Steve Guttenberg, CNet.com
The DAC1 USB includes a very unique USB input with bit-transparent native 96/24 capability, a programmable mute function, programmable headphone gain range, an automatic standby/resume feature, and a high-current output stage designed to drive long cables or low-impedance loads, such as high-end power-amplifiers. The DAC1 USB looks sounds and measures the same as the DAC1 with added benefits of convenience, flexibility, and performance.
The DAC1 USB is designed for maximum transparency and is well suited for critical playback in studio control rooms, mastering rooms, and high-end audiophile applications. Benchmark's Advanced USB Audio interface makes the DAC1 an ideal primary output device for digital audio workstations, desktop audio editing applications, computer-based media playback, home media servers, and computer-based radio broadcast systems.
Features
- USB, XLR balanced, BNC coaxial, and TOSLINK optical digital inputs
- Compatible with Windows Vista/XP/2000 and Mac OS X without driver installation
- Jumper-selected low-impedance 10, 20, or 30 dB pads on balanced outputs
- -10 dBV unbalanced RCA analog outputs, +13.5 dBu maximum output level
- Two HPA2™ high-current, “0-Ohm”, high-output ¼” headphone outputs
- HPA2™ gain jumpers to match gain to headphone sensitivity
- Front-panel volume control for headphone outputs
- Front-panel volume control of all analog outputs (in Variable mode)
- Rear-panel Variable/Calibrated mode switch enables volume control of analog outputs
- Rear-panel Variable/Calibrated mode switch includes a center mute position
- In Calibrated mode, levels are set by 10-turn trimmers (20 dB Range, 2 dB/turn)
- XLR outputs are preset to +4dBu at 0 dBFS in Calibrated mode (20-dB Pad enabled)
- RCA outputs are preset to +2 Vrms (8.2 dBu) at 0 dBFS in Calibrated mode
- Headphone jack 1 mutes XLR and RCA outputs (feature may be disabled)
- Benchmark’s phase-accurate UltraLock™ technology for total jitter immunity
- Status LED’s - display input selection and error conditions
- Automatic Standby Mode – activated after 15 seconds of loss of digital input signal
- Instant wake-up from Standby Mode - no loss of audio
- THD+N = -107 dB, 0.00045% @ -3 dBFS input, -105 dB, 0.00056% @ 0 dBFS input
- Automatic de-emphasis in response to consumer pre-emphasis bit (44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz)
- Reliable and consistent performance under adverse operating conditions
- 115 V, 230 V, 50-60 Hz international power supply with very wide operating range
- Low radiation toroidal power transformer significantly reduces hum and line related interference
- Low power consumption (8 Watts typical program, 16 Watts peak)
- Meets FCC Class B and CE emissions requirements
Audio Performance
Fs = 44.1 to 96 kHz, 20 to 20 kHz BW, 1 kHz test tone, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu (unless noted)
SNR – A-Weighted, 0 dBFS = +20 to +29 dBu 116 dB
SNR – Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +20 to +29 dBu 114 dB
SNR – A-Weighted at low gain, 0 dBFS = +9 to +18 dBu 114 dB
THD+N, 1 kHz at 0 dBFS -105 dBFS, -105 dB, 0.00056%
THD+N, 1 kHz at -1 dBFS -107 dBFS, -106 dB, 0.00050%
THD+N, 1 kHz at –3 dBFS -110 dBFS, -107 dB, 0.00045%
THD+N, 20 to 20 kHz test tone at –3 dBFS -110 dBFS, -107 dB, 0.00045%
Frequency Response at Fs=96 kHz +/- 0.1 dB (20 to 20 kHz)
-0.02 dB at 10 Hz
-0.20 dB at 20 kHz
-0.85 dB at 40 kHz
-2.5 dB at 45 kHz
Frequency Response at Fs=48 kHz +/- 0.1 dB (20 to 20 kHz)
-0.02 dB at 10 Hz
-0.20 dB at 20 kHz
Crosstalk -100 dB at 20 kHz
-125 dB at 1 kHz
-130 dB at 20 Hz
Maximum Amplitude of Jitter Induced Sidebands (10kHz 0 dBFS test tone, 12.75 UI sinusoidal jitter at 1kHz): < -141 dBMaximum Amplitude of Spurious Tones with 0 dBFS test signal: < -126 dB
Maximum Amplitude of Idle Tones: < -128 dB
Maximum Amplitude of AC line related Hum & Noise: < -126 dB
Inter-channel Differential Phase (Stereo Pair – any sample rate): +/- 0.5 degrees at 20 kHz
Inter-channel Differential Phase (Between DAC1 USB Units Fs<110 kHz): +/- 0.5 degrees at 20 kHz
Inter-channel Differential Phase (Between DAC1 USB Units Fs>110 kHz): +/- 4.1 degrees at 20 kHz
Maximum Lock Time after Fs change 100 ms
Soft Mute Ramp Up/Down Time 10 ms
Mute on Receive Error Yes
Mute on Lock Error Yes
Mute on Idle Channel No
50/15 us De-Emphasis Enable Automatic in Consumer Mode
De-Emphasis Method Digital IIR
De-Emphasis Supported at Fs = 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz
Digital Audio Inputs
Number of Digital Inputs (switch selected): 4 (Coaxial, XLR, Optical, USB)
Number of Channels: 2
Input Sample Frequency Range:
28 to 195 kHz (Coaxial, XLR, Optical)
44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz (USB)
Maximum Input Word Length 24 bits
Digital Input Impedance on XLR input 110 Ohms
Digital Input Impedance on Coaxial input (jumper selected)
75 Ohms or Hi-Z (Bridging)
Transformer Coupled Digital Inputs: Coaxial, XLR, Optical
DC Blocking Capacitors on Digital Inputs: Coaxial, XLR, Optical
Transient and Over-Voltage Protection on Digital Inputs
Minimum Digital Input Level: 300 mVpp on XLR, 150 mVpp on Coaxial
Jitter Tolerance (With no Measurable Change in Performance):
>12.75 UI sine, 100 Hz to 10 kHz
>3.5 UI sine at 20 kHz
>1.2 UI sine at 40 kHz
>0.4 UI sine at 80 kHz
>0.29 UI sine at 90 kHz
>0.25 UI sine above 160 kHz
Jitter Attenuation Method Benchmark UltraLock™ - all inputs
Balanced Analog Outputs
Number of Balanced Analog Outputs 2
Output Connector Gold-Pin Neutrik™ male XLR
Output Impedance 60 Ohms
Output Level Calibration Controls 10-turn trimmers (1 per output)
Calibration Adjustability 2 dB / turn
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Calibrated’ Mode +9 to +29 dBu (Attenuator off)
-1 to +19 dBu (Attenuator = 10 dB)
-11 to +9 dBu (Attenuator = 20 dB)
-21 to -1 dBu (Attenuator = 30 dB)
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In 'Variable' Mode
Off to +29 dBu (Attenuator off)
Off to +19 dBu (Attenuator = 10 dB)
Off to +9 dBu (Attenuator = 20 dB)
Off to -1 dBu (Attenuator = 30 dB)
Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. 96 kHz): < +/- 0.006 dB
Unbalanced Analog Outputs
Number of Unbalanced Analog Outputs 2
Output Connector RCA
Output Impedance 30 Ohms
Output Level Calibration Controls Shared with Balanced Outputs
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Calibrated’ Mode: -6 dBu to +13.5 dBu
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Variable’ Mode: Off to +11 dBu
Calibration Adjustability 2 dB / turn
Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. 96 kHz): < +/- 0.006 dB
Factory Preset: 2vRMS (8.2 dBu)
HPA2TM Headphone Outputs
Number of Headphone Outputs: 2
Output Connectors: ¼” TRS with switch on left-hand jack
Output Impedance: < 0.11 Ohms
Output Level Control: Stereo Control on Front Panel
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) into 60-Ohm Load: Off to +21 dBu
Maximum Output Current: 250 mA
Overload Protection (independent per channel): Current limited at 300 mA, Thermal Bandwidth > 500 kHz
THD+N -106 dB, 0.0005% into 30 Ohms at +18 dBu (1.26W)
Status Display
Indicators - Type and Location 3 Blue LED’s on Front Panel
Selection/Status Indication Solid: Digital Input Selection
Flashing: Signal Error
None: Standby Mode
AC Power Requirements
Input Operating Voltage Range (VAC RMS) 110 V setting: 90 V min, 140 V max
220 V setting: 175 V min, 285 V max
Frequency 50-60 Hz
Power 8 Watts Idle
8 Watts Typical Program
16 Watts Maximum
Fuses 5 x 20 mm (2 required)
0.5 A 250 V Slo-Blo® Type
Dimensions: 9.33" x 9.5" x 1.725"
Weight: 7 lbs.
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