
Instruction Manual for DAC2 HGC and DAC2 L with
2.X Firmware
Page 30
Benchmark Technologies
DAC1 and DAC2 Family History
The pristine audio performance of the award-
winning DAC1 made it the ‘Benchmark’ of
stand-alone D/A converters. The DAC1 USB,
DAC1 PRE , and DAC1 HDR added many
features to the basic DAC1 platform.
Benchmark DAC1 and DAC2 converters are in
use in many of the world's top studios.
The following is a brief overview of the various
Benchmark DAC1 and DAC2 models:
DAC1
Benchmark's original DAC1 converter.
The DAC1 features included:
•
Three digital inputs
•
XLR outputs with passive pads
•
RCA outputs
•
Analog volume control
•
HPA2™ headphone amplifier
•
UltraLock™ jitter-attenuation system
DAC1 USB
The DAC1 USB introduced these
improvements:
•
AdvancedUSB™ computer input
•
Mute switch on the left headphone jack
•
Two headphone gain ranges
•
High-current LM4562/LME49860 output
stages - designed to drive difficult loads
•
Lower output impedances
Benchmark's AdvancedUSB™ computer input
was the first USB audio interface to support 96
kHz audio without the need to install special
drivers.
DAC1 PRE
The DAC1 PRE added these improvements:
•
Three coaxial digital inputs
•
Three Headphone Gain Ranges
•
LM4562/LME49860 opamps throughout
•
Premium bulkhead-mounted RCA
connectors
The DAC1 PRE eliminated the XLR digital
input found on the DAC1 and DAC1 USB.
DAC1 HDR
The DAC1 HDR added these improvements:
•
IR Remote Control
•
HDR-VC™ (high dynamic range
volume control).
The HDR-VC™ features a custom-made,
motor-driven Alps potentiometer. The motor-
driven control provides the audio performance
of a manual control while adding the
convenience of remote control.
DAC2 HGC
The DAC2 maintains the familiar DAC1 form
factor, but internally, it is a complete redesign.
The DAC2 features:
•
Four 32-bit D/A per output channel
•
Native 24-bit/192kHz PCM conversion
•
Native DSD conversion
•
Multi-mode asynchronous USB audio
input
•
Sample rate and word length displays
•
UltraLock2™ jitter attenuation
•
Polarity control
•
Home theater bypass
•
Digital pass-through
•
Bi-directional 12V trigger
•
Two stereo analog inputs
•
Three stereo analog outputs
•
Two optical inputs
•
High-efficiency low-noise power
supplies