Description

The DAC3 delivers outstanding musical detail and precise stereo imaging. It employs an advanced high-headroom digital filter design, and a high-sample-rate Asynchronous USB Audio interface. All inputs are fully isolated from interface jitter by Benchmark’s new UltraLock3 jitter attenuation system. Internal digital processing and conversion is 32-bits, and this processing includes 3.5 dB of headroom above 0 dBFS. This headroom prevents the DSP overloads that commonly occur in other D/A converters. Four balanced 32-bit D/A converters are summed together to create each balanced analog output. This 4:1 summation provides a 6 dB noise reduction, and gives the DAC3 industry-leading performance.
All digital inputs on the DAC3 support native PCM or DSD conversion. From any input, DSD is transported with bit accuracy over DoP 1.1. DSD and PCM are both natively converted to analog. There are no DSD to PCM or PCM to DSD conversions to compromise the quality of the music. The DAC3 conversion system seamlessly switches between native PCM and native DSD conversion. DSD over DoP 1.1 is supported by many media players, and DSD downloads are now available from several sources.
Benchmark DAC1, DAC2, and DAC3 converters are designed to directly drive power amplifiers and speakers. Benchmark converters feature adjustable low-impedance passive attenuators at the XLR outputs that can be used to optimize the interface to the power amplifier (or powered monitor).
All Benchmark converters are designed for maximum transparency. This transparency is absolutely essential in the studio monitoring chain. For this reason, DAC3 converters are ideal for critical reference-quality professional systems. The DAC3 is not designed to add « euphonic » colouration to the audio. Instead it is designed to be as uncoloured and natural as possible.
Features:
Harmonic Compensation
Hybrid Gain Control
UltraLock3 Jitter Attenuation System
High-Headroom DSP
Multi-Mode Asynchronous USB Audio System
Quad 32-bit balanced D/A Conversion System
Distributed Power Regulation
Specifications:
SNR – A-Weighted, 0 dBFS = +27.5 dBu: 128 dB
SNR – Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +27.5 dBu: 126 dB
Dynamic Range – A-Weighted at maximum volume: 128 dB
Dynamic Range – Unweighted at maximum volume:126 dB
Frequency Response at Fs=192 kHz: +0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 to 20 kHz) -0.015 dB at 10 Hz -0.005 dB at 20 kHz -0.031 dB at 40 kHz -0.15 dB at 80 kHz
Frequency Response at Fs=48 kHz: +0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 to 20 kHz) -0.015 dB at 10 Hz -0.005 dB at 20 kHz
Crosstalk: -116 dB at 20 kHz -130 dB at 1 kHz -137 dB at 20 Hz
Maximum Lock Time after Fs change: 6 ms
Soft Mute Ramp Up/Down Time: 9.6 ms
Mute on Receive / 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 kHz
Delay – Digital Input to Analog Output (function of sample rate): 1.36 ms at 44.1 kHz, 1.27 ms at 48 kHz, 0.90 ms at 88.2 kHz, 0.82 ms at 96 kHz, 0.51 ms at 176.4 kHz, 0.47 ms at 192 kHz
Number of Digital Inputs (switch selected): 5 (1 USB, 2 Optical, 2 Coaxial)
Number of Channels: 2
Input Sample Frequency Range: 28 to 210 kHz (Coaxial Inputs) 28 to 96 kHz (Optical Inputs) 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz (USB Input)
Maximum Input Word Length: 24 bits
Digital Input Impedance: 75 Ohms (Coaxial Inputs)
DC Blocking Capacitors on Digital Inputs: Yes (Coaxial Inputs)
Transient and Over-Voltage Protection on Digital Inputs: Yes (Coaxial Inputs)
Minimum Digital Input Level: 250 mVpp (Coaxial Inputs)
Number of Balanced Analog Outputs: 2
– Output Connector: Gold-Pin Neutrik male XLR
– Output Impedance: 60 Ohms (Attenuator off) 425 Ohms (Attenuator = 10 dB) 135 Ohms (Attenuator = 20 dB)
Number of Unbalanced Analog Outputs: 4
– Output Connector: RCA
Output Impedance: 30 Ohms
Number of Headphone Outputs: 2
– Output Connectors 1/4 TRS with switch on left-hand jack
– Output Impedance: less than 0.11 Ohms
– Output Level Control: Stereo Control on Front Panel
– Output Level Range (with 0 dBFS digital input): Off to +21.5 dBu (9.2 Vrms)
– Output Power: 1.25 W into 30 Ohms
– Maximum Output Current: 250 mA
– Overload Protection (independent per channel): Current limited at 300 mA, Thermal
Indicators: 16 LEDs on Front Panel
Nominal Operating Range: 100 – 240 VAC, 50 – 60 Hz
Min/Max Operating range: 90 – 260 VAC, 47 – 63 Hz
Power: under 0.5 Watts Standby 12 Watts Typical Program 15 Watts Maximum
Fuses (2 required): 5×20 mm, 0.5 A 250 V Slo-Blo Type
Dimensions: 9.33″ (237 mm) x 9.5″ (249 mm) x 1.725″ (44.5 mm)
Weight: 3 lbs