The DAC1 from Benchmark is a reference-quality, two-channel 192kHz 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converter featuring Benchmark's UltraLock technology. The converter is designed for maximum transparency and is well suited for critical playback in studio control rooms and in mastering rooms.
A compact and rugged enclosure makes the unit an excellent choice for location recording, broadcast facilities and mobile trucks. The internal power supply supports all international voltages and has generous margins for over and under voltage conditions.
Note:
The 110V model has the same switchable universal power supply as the 220V version, but is factory set to the correct voltage for each model. Operating voltage settings in both models can be changed in the field by rotating the fuse assembly.
Multiple Usage
Essential equipment for mastering studios, high quality recording studios, high-end home audio systems, or anywhere un-colored digital playback is demanded.
HPA2 Headphone Amplifier
Two 1/4" headphone jacks are driven with Benchmark's HPA2 high current headphone amplifier. The amplifier is capable of driving a wide variety of headphone loads while achieving less than 0.0003% distortion under load. The gain control sets the output level of the headphone jacks.
Direct Connectivity with Monitors
Interfaces directly with power amplifiers and powered studio monitors in order to provide the cleanest and shortest path from digital to monitor output. Ten, 20 and 30dB pads are provided for interfacing to studio monitors having high input sensitivity.
The gain control can be used to control the output level of the balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog outputs.
Digital Inputs
Three digital inputs (balanced XLR, coaxial and optical) are provided and are selected from the front panel. All inputs accept either professional or consumer formats.
Jitter Immune
The UltraLock system is 100% jitter immune. The D/A conversion clock is totally isolated from the AES/EBU digital audio clocks in a topology that outperforms two-stage PLL designs. No jitter-induced artifacts can be detected using an Audio Precision System 2 Cascade test set.
Any AES/EBU signal that can be decoded by the AES/EBU receiver will be reproduced without the addition of any measurable jitter artifacts. In addition, the receiver IC has been selected for its ability to decode AES/EBU signals in the presence of very high levels of jitter.
Soft Mute
Designed to perform gracefully in the presence of errors and interruptions at the digital audio inputs. A soft mute circuit eliminates pops when a digital signal is applied. Power management circuitry controls the muting and resetting of all digital circuits upon removal and application of power.
Audio is present at the outputs only 60ms after applying a digital input signal and only 500ms after applying power to the unit.
Avoids all unnecessary mute scenarios. Muting is only enabled upon loss of power, or when digital transmission errors occur. The DAC1 does not mute when the input data is all zeros. Consequently, no audio is lost when an audio transient follows full silence.
Sample Rate
Operates even when sample rate status bits are set incorrectly. Sample rate is determined by measuring the incoming signal. Lack of sample rate status bits or incorrectly set status bits will not cause loss of audio.
Phase accurate between channels, and between other DAC1 boxes. A fully digital de-emphasis circuit supports 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz sample rates and is automatically enabled in response to the pre-emphasis status bits of consumer format digital signals.