Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.
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FRONT PANEL:
STATUS DISPLAY:
Power
- (Blue LED) indicates the presence of power within the DAC1
Error
- (Red LED) indicates out of sample range, too low or no digital input signal
Non PCM
- (Red LED) indicates a digital audio signal that cannot be decoded by the DAC1 (such as Dolby AC3)
INPUT SELECTOR SWITCH – Three Position Toggle:
Coaxial
- Selects the unbalanced digital signal from the BNC coaxial input
XLR
- Selects the balanced digital signal from the XLR type connector at the rear panel
Optical
- Selects the digital signal from the TOSLINK optical input at the rear panel
HPA2™STEREO HEADPHONE JACKS:
There are two stereo headphone jacks. These allow two listeners to monitor and compare notes on what is
heard. We recommend using identical headphones because headphone sensitivities can differ significantly. The
front-panel gain control adjusts the level at both jacks. Benchmark’s
HPA2™
is unsurpassed in its ability to deliver
high current at high output levels without distortion. The
HPA2™
delivers the full rated performance of the DAC1
into two 60 Ω stereo headphones outputs. The
HPA2™
is fully protected against short circuits and overloads.
VARIABLE GAIN CONTROL:
The front-panel gain control always controls the output level of the headphone jacks. It can also be used to control
the output levels of the balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog outputs. A rear-panel switch selects
Variable
or
Calibrated
output levels. In
Variable
mode the analog output levels are controlled from the front-panel control.
In
Calibrated
mode the analog output levels are controlled from a pair of 10-turn trimmers (located on the rear
panel).
RACK MOUNT HOLES:
For ease of mounting, the front panel of the DAC1 has rack mount holes that are machined to conform to
standard rack mount dimensions. The width of the DAC1 panel is exactly ½ that of a standard 19” panel. The
DAC1 is one rack unit high. Either ear of the DAC1 can be mounted directly to a standard 19” rack. A machined
junction block connects the other ear to a ½ width blank panel, another DAC1, or future ½ width Benchmark
products. When joined, the two units form a single rigid 19” panel that can be installed in any standard 19” rack.
