Instruction manual

DAC2 Series Instruction Manual Rev C Page 27
Benchmark
Technologies
Hybrid Gain Control™
"HGC" is Benchmark's unique Hybrid Gain
Control™ system. The DAC2 combines
active analog gain control, passive low-
impedance attenuators, a 32-bit digital gain
control, and a servo-driven volume control.
All inputs are controlled by the rotary volume
control. This volume control moves in
response to commands from the remote
control. Analog inputs are never converted to
digital, and digital inputs never pass through
an analog potentiometer. Digital inputs are
precisely controlled in the 32-bit DSP system.
The DSP system preserves precise L/R
balance, and precise stereo imaging, while
avoiding any source of noise and distortion.
Benchmark's unique passive output
attenuators provide distortion-free gain
reduction without reducing the dynamic range
of the converter. The attenuators optimize
the gain staging between the DAC2 and the
power amplifier. This optimization is
absolutely essential for maximizing the
dynamic range of the entire playback system.
Much of the success of the DAC1 converters
can be attributed to the passive output
attenuators. Musical details can be obscured
by system noise whenever a preamplifier and
power amplifier are improperly matched. The
"HGC" system will make full use of your
power amplifier's dynamic range. Experience
the new details in your favorite recordings.
Native DSD Conversion
The digital coaxial inputs and the USB 2.0
input on the DAC2 support native DSD
conversion. DoP 1.1 is automatically detected
on all digital inputs, and the system
seamlessly switches to native DSD
conversion. DoP 1.1 is supported by many
media players, and DSD downloads are now
available from several sources.
Visit our website for an up-to-date list of DSD
and PCM high resolution download sites.
Multi-Mode Asynchronous
AdvancedUSB Audio™
Benchmark's USB system supports USB Audio
2.0, DSD, and USB Audio 1.1. It is frequency
agile, and will follow sample rate changes
initiated by the computer and/or the media
playback software. In all modes the USB
communications are asynchronous in order to
eliminate unnecessary sources of jitter.
The DAC2 has a low-jitter master clock which
controls the transfer of audio data from the
computer to the USB sub-system. The
computer asynchronously transfers audio data
to a buffer in the DAC2. The contents of the
buffer are then asynchronously transferred to
the D/A conversion sub-system. This second
asynchronous transfer eliminates any traces
of jitter that accumulate as the data is
transferred between the USB and conversion
subsystems. No traces of jitter-induced
distortion are measurable to our
measurement limits (better than -160 dBFS).
This truly represents the state-of-the art.
Enjoy the convenience of computer playback
without compromise.
The Asynchronous USB system supports USB
Audio 2.0 for high-resolution 192kHz, and
DSD playback. No drivers are required for
MAC operating systems. An easy-to-install
driver adds 192 kHz and DSD capabilities to
Windows operating systems. You can
download the latest drivers from:
http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac/dac2-
drivers
An asynchronous driverless USB Audio 1.1
mode supports sample rates up to 96 kHz.
This USB mode can be selected from the front
panel or from the remote control. The
driverless USB Audio 1.1 mode allows quick
plug-and-play connections to Windows, MAC,
iOS, and Linux operating systems without
installing drivers. Just plug in the USB, and
the DAC2 becomes an available audio device.