DAC1 PRE
Instruction Manual Rev J
Page 21
AdvancedUSB Audio™
Technology
Benchmark's
AdvancedUSB Audio™
technology provides a simple, yet
comprehensive, high resolution audio solution
for computer audio users. With bit-
transparent audio streaming at 96 kHz, 24-
bit, the Benchmark USB solution is a dream-
come-true for lovers of high quality audio
playback. Plus, with no drivers to install, you
can enjoy your music as soon as you plug into
a computer's USB port. Benchmark's USB
technology is compatible with virtually all
audio applications and has been extensively
tested on four operating systems (Microsoft
Vista, XP, 2000, and Mac OSX).
Setting New USB Audio
'Benchmarks'
Benchmark Media Systems has the distinction
of presenting the first native, 96-kHz, 24-bit
USB audio solution. By intelligently using the
capabilities built into the Windows and Mac
operating systems, this technology enables
bit-transparent audio streams at resolutions
up to 96 kHz, 24-bit, when all other native
solutions are limited to 44.1-48-kHz, 16-bit.
Thus, the fidelity that was originally captured
in the recording can be fully appreciated.
There is no need to configure and re-
configure software to ensure proper bit-rate
settings. With this advanced technology,
high-resolution audio is automatically passed
from the source program to the USB without
data modification.
Bit-Transparent Digital Audio Path
A digital audio path can be tested to
determine if the digital data is being modified
or distorted in any way. This is done by
sending a random sequence of bits through
the path, and comparing the resulting
sequence with the original sequence. If the
resulting sequence is always identical to the
original, the path is 'bit- transparent'.
Benchmark's USB technology is the first
native USB solution capable of streaming 96
kHz, 24-bit audio with full 'bit-transparency'.
Beware of 'Custom' Drivers!
Until now, high-resolution USB audio devices
required ‘custom’ drivers. These drivers may
compromise the stability of the operating
system, and may cause conflicts with other
installed devices. In addition, custom drivers
usually consume more system resources
(memory and CPU) than native solutions.
It is also interesting that many of the ASIO
high-resolution USB devices we tested failed
to deliver bit-transparent audio. In contrast,
many of the native USB audio devices
delivered bit-transparent audio. Our tests
show that custom drivers do not guarantee
bit-transparent data transfers, and that bit-
transparency can be achieved without custom
drivers.
The problem with native USB audio devices
has been their inability to stream audio at
sample-rates over 48 kHz and at word-
lengths over 16-bits. Benchmark's
AdvancedUSB Audio™
technology extends
bit-transparent native USB audio to
resolutions up to and including 96 kHz, 24-
bits.
Intelligent Handling of Sample-
Rates and Bit-Depths
Benchmark's USB technology will follow the
sample-rate and bit-depth of the audio being
sent to it without requiring the user to
reconfigure any software or hardware. In
contrast, devices with custom drivers require
the user to make manual changes to the
driver setting in order to correctly stream at
the sample-rate and bit-depth of the audio
they are playing. Incorrect settings usually
result in severe distortion. Benchmark's
AdvancedUSB Audio™
technology
eliminates this problem. This technology
allows bit- transparent playback of play lists
containing a mixture of sample-rates and
word-lengths.
