BENCHMARK DAC3 HGC - DAC
BENCHMARK DAC3 HGC - DAC
BENCHMARK DAC3 HGC - DAC
BENCHMARK DAC3 HGC - DAC

Benchmark

BENCHMARK DAC3 HGC - DAC

£2,449.00
Colour:

Colour
Quantity:
In stock for immediate dispatch.

A NEW REFERENCE - GOING BEYOND THE LEGENDARY DAC1 AND DAC2

The DAC3 is Benchmark's newest 2-channel D/A converter featuring the new ESS Technologies ES9028PRO converter chip. The DAC3 converter has lower THD and THD+N noise than Benchmark's DAC2 converter.

Benchmark's DAC1 and DAC2 D/A converter families have been the reference to which other converters have been compared. It is rare to find a converter review that does not draw comparisons to the DAC1 or the DAC2. Benchmark converters are in daily use at many of the world's finest recording studios and mastering rooms. Benchmark converters are also enjoyed by thousands of audiophiles. Benchmark has raised the bar again ... the DAC3 defines a new reference.

REFERENCE PERFORMANCE

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.

NATIVE DSD CONVERSION

All digital inputs on the DAC3 support native 192 kHz PCM or DSD64 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.

DIRECT CONNECTIVITY TO POWER AMPLIFIERS

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). This unique Benchmark feature optimizes the gain staging between the DAC and the power amplifier. Proper gain staging cannot be overemphasized. When audio stages are properly matched, each component in the audio chain is able to operate at its optimum signal level, and the system performance is significantly improved.

DIGITAL AUDIO INPUTS

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)

Jitter Tolerance

(With no Measurable Change in Performance)

 

>12.75 UI sine, 100 Hz to 3 kHz

>1.5 UI sine at 20 kHz

>1.5 UI sine at 40 kHz

>1.5 UI sine at 80 kHz

>1.5 UI sine at 90 kHz

>0.25 UI sine above 160 kHz

Jitter Attenuation Method

Benchmark UltraLock3™ - all inputs

 

BALANCED ANALOG OUTPUTS

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)

Analog Output Clip Point

+30 dBu

Factory Set Bypass Level (at 0 dBFS)

+24 dBu (Attenuator = 0 dB)

Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Variable’ Mode

Off to +27.5 dBu (Attenuator off)

Off to +17.5 dBu (Attenuator = 10 dB)

Off to +7.5 dBu (Attenuator = 20 dB)

Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. 96 kHz)

< +/- 0.006 dB

 

UNBALANCED ANALOG OUTPUTS

Number of Unbalanced Analog Outputs

4

Output Connector

RCA

Output Impedance

30 Ohms

Analog Output Clip Point

+13.5 dBu (3.7 Vrms)

Factory Set Home Theater Bypass Output Level (at 0 dBFS)

+8.2 dBu (2 Vrms)

Output Level Range (with 0 dBFS digital input)

Off to +11.7 dBu (3 Vrms)

Output Level Variation with Sample Rate

< +/- 0.006 dB

 

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 +21.5 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

Bandwidth

> 500 kHz, -0.35 dB at 200 kHz

THD+N at 20 mW

-108 dB (0.0004%) into 300 Ohms, -100 dB (0.0010%) into 30 Ohms

 

Shipping & Returns

Shipping

Items are posted Tuesday - Friday with DPD or other couriers (based on the item size/weight). Certain items are shipped as freight if over 30kg and may take 2-3 days to be delivered. Please contact us to confirm stock availability and shipping leadtimes.

Our cut-off for same day dispatch of in-stock products is 1pm. Collection in store may be available if stock isn't in our central warehouse.

Returns

Our returns policy lasts for 28 days for all items in our store except those defined in section (1) below.

To be eligible for a refund, your item must be unused/unopened and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. 

If you return the item to us within 14 days of purchasing, you will be offered a full refund or exchange. If your return comes to us after 14 days of purchasing and is opened, we will refund the full amount less 20%. Unused items returned up to 28 days after purchasing will be fully refunded.

You must ensure goods are shipped in their original packaging if they are damaged/not working. Manufacturers will not accept returns and Yorkshire AV can not be held responsible for any damage in transit.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Those that are bespoke items or those that we've had to request in for you.

(1) Examples of non-returnable items: 

Gift cards HiFi RacksSecond hand units / Warehouse unitsCustom cablesSpecial order items (items that we order in for you/were not in stock at the time of order)

To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase. 
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer. 

There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Those are where:

Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our errorAny item that is returned more than 28 days after delivery

 

To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase. 
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer. 

There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Those are where:

Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our errorWhere the item wasn't marked with an extended returns policy at the end of the checkout process

Refunds (if applicable) 

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund. 

Items that have been opened will be listed on our "Clearance" section. We charge a 20% fee from the total item value which will be deducted from any refund amount applicable.


If your returns are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within 2-3 days. 

Late or missing refunds (if applicable) 
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again. 
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted. 
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted. 
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at info@yorkshireav.co.uk. 

Sale items (if applicable) 
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately sale items cannot be refunded. 

Exchanges (if applicable) 
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at info@yorkshireav.co.uk and send your item to: Yorkshire AV LTD, Unit 6 Wood Farm, Doncaster Road, GOOLE, DN14 0JF, United Kingdom. 

Shipping 
To return your product, you should mail your product to: Yorkshire AV LTD, Unit 6 Wood Farm, Doncaster Road, GOOLE, DN14 0JF, United Kingdom 

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund. 

Shipping & Returns

Shipping

Items are posted Tuesday - Friday with DPD or other couriers (based on the item size/weight). Certain items are shipped as freight if over 30kg and may take 2-3 days to be delivered. Please contact us to confirm stock availability and shipping leadtimes.

Our cut-off for same day dispatch of in-stock products is 1pm. Collection in store may be available if stock isn't in our central warehouse.

Returns

Our returns policy lasts for 28 days for all items in our store except those defined in section (1) below.

To be eligible for a refund, your item must be unused/unopened and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. 

If you return the item to us within 14 days of purchasing, you will be offered a full refund or exchange. If your return comes to us after 14 days of purchasing and is opened, we will refund the full amount less 20%. Unused items returned up to 28 days after purchasing will be fully refunded.

You must ensure goods are shipped in their original packaging if they are damaged/not working. Manufacturers will not accept returns and Yorkshire AV can not be held responsible for any damage in transit.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Those that are bespoke items or those that we've had to request in for you.

(1) Examples of non-returnable items: 

Gift cards HiFi RacksSecond hand units / Warehouse unitsCustom cablesSpecial order items (items that we order in for you/were not in stock at the time of order)

To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase. 
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer. 

There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Those are where:

Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our errorAny item that is returned more than 28 days after delivery

 

To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase. 
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer. 

There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Those are where:

Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our errorWhere the item wasn't marked with an extended returns policy at the end of the checkout process

Refunds (if applicable) 

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund. 

Items that have been opened will be listed on our "Clearance" section. We charge a 20% fee from the total item value which will be deducted from any refund amount applicable.


If your returns are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within 2-3 days. 

Late or missing refunds (if applicable) 
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again. 
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted. 
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted. 
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at info@yorkshireav.co.uk. 

Sale items (if applicable) 
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately sale items cannot be refunded. 

Exchanges (if applicable) 
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at info@yorkshireav.co.uk and send your item to: Yorkshire AV LTD, Unit 6 Wood Farm, Doncaster Road, GOOLE, DN14 0JF, United Kingdom. 

Shipping 
To return your product, you should mail your product to: Yorkshire AV LTD, Unit 6 Wood Farm, Doncaster Road, GOOLE, DN14 0JF, United Kingdom 

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund. 

Warranty

Products come with your manufacturers standard warranty. Please see the product description or the manufacturers website for more details on their standard terms.

Issues within 28 days of purchase will be dealt with by Yorkshire AV. Beyond this, we'll be happy to assist you with the manufacturer if required.

Warranty

Products come with your manufacturers standard warranty. Please see the product description or the manufacturers website for more details on their standard terms.

Issues within 28 days of purchase will be dealt with by Yorkshire AV. Beyond this, we'll be happy to assist you with the manufacturer if required.

Secure Payment

Our website is encrypted and all payments are managed by STRIPE. We never store your card information - nor do we see the details.

We accept payment with all major credit/debit cards as well as AMEX.

You have the option of using PayPal (including PayPal Credit) and KLARNA at the checkout.

Secure Payment

Our website is encrypted and all payments are managed by STRIPE. We never store your card information - nor do we see the details.

We accept payment with all major credit/debit cards as well as AMEX.

You have the option of using PayPal (including PayPal Credit) and KLARNA at the checkout.