Description
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 |
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Number of Digital Inputs (switch selected) |
5 (1 USB, 2 Optical, 2 Coaxial) |
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Number of Channels |
2 |
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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) |
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Maximum Input Word Length |
24 bits
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Digital Input Impedance |
75 Ohms (Coaxial Inputs) |
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DC Blocking Capacitors on Digital Inputs |
Yes (Coaxial Inputs) |
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Transient and Over-Voltage Protection on Digital Inputs |
Yes (Coaxial Inputs) |
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Minimum Digital Input Level |
250 mVpp (Coaxial Inputs) |
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(With no Measurable Change in Performance)
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>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 |
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Jitter Attenuation Method |
Benchmark UltraLock3™ - all inputs |
BALANCED ANALOG OUTPUTS |
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Number of Balanced Analog Outputs |
2 |
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Output Connector |
Gold-Pin Neutrik™ male XLR |
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Output Impedance |
60 Ohms (Attenuator off) 425 Ohms (Attenuator = 10 dB) 135 Ohms (Attenuator = 20 dB) |
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Analog Output Clip Point |
+30 dBu |
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Factory Set Bypass Level (at 0 dBFS) |
+24 dBu (Attenuator = 0 dB) |
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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) |
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Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. 96 kHz) |
< +/- 0.006 dB |
UNBALANCED ANALOG OUTPUTS |
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Number of Unbalanced Analog Outputs |
4 |
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Output Connector |
RCA |
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Output Impedance |
30 Ohms |
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Analog Output Clip Point |
+13.5 dBu (3.7 Vrms) |
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Factory Set Home Theater Bypass Output Level (at 0 dBFS) |
+8.2 dBu (2 Vrms) |
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Output Level Range (with 0 dBFS digital input) |
Off to +11.7 dBu (3 Vrms) |
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Output Level Variation with Sample Rate |
< +/- 0.006 dB |
HPA2TM HEADPHONE OUTPUTS |
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Number of Headphone Outputs |
2 |
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Output Connectors |
¼” TRS with switch on left-hand jack |
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Output Impedance |
< 0.11 Ohms |
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Output Level Control |
Stereo Control on Front Panel |
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Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) into 60-Ohm Load |
Off to +21.5 dBu (9.2 Vrms) |
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Output Power |
1.25 W into 30 Ohms |
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Maximum Output Current |
250 mA |
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Overload Protection (independent per channel) |
Current limited at 300 mA, Thermal |
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Bandwidth |
> 500 kHz, -0.35 dB at 200 kHz |
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THD+N at 20 mW |
-108 dB (0.0004%) into 300 Ohms, -100 dB (0.0010%) into 30 Ohms |
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