Related Manuals for Benchmark DAC3 B
Summary of Contents for Benchmark DAC3 B
- Page 1 Benchmark DAC3 B Instruction Manual Reference Stereo PCM and DSD D/A Converter with ESS9028PRO Conversion System (Version 1.x Firmware)
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Page 2: Safety Information
POWER CORD. THE PRODUCT IS EQUIPPED WITH A STANDARD IEC POWER ENTRY MODULE. USE AN IEC POWER CORD THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE APPROPRIATE CONNECTOR FOR YOUR LOCATION. CORDS ARE AVAILABLE FROM YOUR DEALER. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 2... -
Page 3: Table Of Contents
AC Power-Entry and Fuse Module Warranty Information Internal Settings Benchmark 1-Year Warranty Jumper-Configured Options Benchmark Extended Warranty Options 64 Removing Top Cover Notes on Warranty Repairs XLR Output Pads Digital PASS-THROUGH Function Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 3... -
Page 4: Features
SABRE PRO – Native DSD D/A conversion system, four 1-bit DSD D/A converters per channel Benchmark UltraLock3™ Jitter Attenuation System – eliminates jitter-induced distortion High Headroom DSP - provides 3.5 dB of analog and digital headroom above 0 dBFS to ... -
Page 5: Introduction
Faster PLL lock times • • Faster switching between inputs The DAC3 B is the ideal converter to use in front of Benchmark's HPA4 headphone DAC3 vs. DAC1 amplifier or LA4 line amplifier. It is also ideal for many professional studio applications. It... - Page 6 27.5 dBu. The factory UltraLock3™ Clock System calibration is +24 dBu at 0 dBFS. This means that the DAC3 B has 3.5 dB of digital UltraLock3™ provides the outstanding jitter headroom above 0 dBFS, and another 1.5 dB attenuation of Benchmark's UltraLock2™...
- Page 7 Optical, coaxial, and USB inputs can be passed through to the D4 connector. This even includes special signals such as DoP, DTS, Dolby Digital, even when these signals cannot be decoded by the DAC3. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 7...
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Page 8: Front Panel
Input Indicators • Word-Length Indicators • Sample-Rate Indicators • Rear Panel Balanced Outputs • Unbalanced Outputs • Digital Inputs • • 12V Trigger I/O IEC Power Entry with Fuses • Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 8... -
Page 9: Quick Start Guide
Audio Inputs Press and hold the OFF button for 3 seconds to force the 12V The DAC3 B features five stereo digital inputs TRIGGER off (only necessary (2 coaxial, 2 optical, and 1 USB). The coaxial when another device is acting as a and optical inputs accept professional (AES) TRIGGER BUS MASTER). -
Page 10: Front Panel Controls
If CONTROL-LOCK is on, the functions of the front-panel controls. INPUT buttons are disabled. Press and hold both input buttons for 3 seconds to toggle between USB 1.1 and USB 2.0. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 10... -
Page 11: Front Panel Display
A blinking blue light indicates that the input is selected but audio data is not being received. Note: D4 cannot be selected if the Digital Pass Through function is enabled. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 11... - Page 12 24 bits. streamed in DoP format. Both Off Measured input word length is All Off Digital signal is not present or less than 16 bits. is not in a supported format. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 12...
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Page 13: Operational Details
Starting with the DAC3 on, press and hold the POWER button for 3 seconds. At the end of 3 seconds the DAC3 will power down if the AUTO-ON mode has been successfully disabled. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 13... -
Page 14: Bi-Directional 12V Trigger
DAC3 is on. The trigger output signal generated by the DAC3 A group of Benchmark trigger ports can be is delayed so that the DAC3 can stabilize connected to a group of non-Benchmark... - Page 15 Sleeve = chassis ground • the bi-directional design, any power button on a Benchmark DAC3 or AHB2 can be used to start or stop the system. The Benchmark device that starts the system will become the trigger master. If the trigger master is turned off, all slave devices will follow.
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Page 16: Hpa4, La4 Compatibility
0 dB (pad off), 10 The DAC3 supports two USB MODES: dB, or 20 dB. The pads should be used to match the output level of the DAC3 B to the USB Audio 1.1 mode - up to 24 bits •... -
Page 17: Digital Pass-Through
22 dBu. This level is exactly 2 dB lower than the calibrated The digital pass-through can also be used to output level of the DAC3 B (when the pads provide the following digital signal are set to 0 dB). This configuration optimizes... -
Page 18: Firmware Version Identification
Firmware Version Identification Digit 1 Digit 2 The firmware version is displayed during the lamp test while the DAC3 B is turning on. At least one lamp in the INPUT INDICATOR will flash rapidly while the remaining lamps Example 1: The U lamp is the only lamp that will be on. -
Page 19: Rear Panel
D1 - Optical Digital Input • D2 - Optical Digital Input • Tip: The DAC3 B will not decode D3 - Coaxial Digital Input • multichannel digital formats such as AC3, and D4 - Coaxial Digital Input or Output* •... - Page 20 The USB Audio 2.0 mode was tested for compatibility with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10 (driver installation is required for all All of the digital inputs on the DAC3 B use Windows versions). It was also tested for Benchmark's UltraLock3™ system to remove compatibility with Mac OS X starting with virtually all of the interface jitter.
- Page 21 The 12V TRIGGER can be used to turn other audio components on when the DAC3 B turns on. The DAC3 B can also turn on and off in response to trigger signals sent from other components.
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Page 22: Outputs
Shorting pin 3 to ground will increase the temperature of the output drivers, will increase power consumption, and may cause distortion. The DAC3 B has one pair of balanced XLR Unbalanced RCA Analog Outputs outputs and one pair of unbalanced RCA outputs. -
Page 23: Ac Power-Entry And Fuse Module
Caution: Always use a grounded power cord. The DAC3 B is equipped with a standard IEC power entry module. Use an IEC power cord that is equipped with the appropriate connector for your location. -
Page 24: Internal Settings
If a static-control wrist strap is not • available, keep one hand on the chassis while moving the jumpers. Avoid touching other components. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 24... -
Page 25: Xlr Output Pads
1 and 2 of each Tip: Use the factory-default 0 dB setting header) - Factory Default when driving Benchmark products such as the -10 dB – (Jumper plug between pins 3 • HPA4, LA4 or AHB2. When directly driving... -
Page 26: Digital Pass-Through Function
By default, D4 functions as a digital input and the DAC3 is shipped with the jumpers set according to Figure 3 (both jumpers toward the rear panel). Figure 2 – Digital PASS-THROUGH Enabled Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 26... -
Page 27: Rack Mounting
Rack Mounting Benchmark Rack Mount Tray The DAC3 B is available with or without rack mount ears. The chassis is one half the width of a standard rack and occupies a one rack- unit height. Units without rack-mount ears will require a The Benchmark Rack Mount Tray mounts mounting tray. -
Page 28: Dac1, Dac2 And Dac3 Family History
XLR digital input and replaced features to the basic DAC1 platform. it with two additional coaxial digital inputs. Benchmark converters are in use in many of the world's top studios. DAC1 HDR The following is a brief overview of the various... -
Page 29: Dac3 Series
ES9018 was the highest performance D/A converter IC available. The ESS PRO series converters are now setting this benchmark. The Benchmark DAC3 is one of the first products to feature this new 32-bit D/A converter. Benchmark's ultra-clean analog stages, low- jitter UltraLock3™... -
Page 30: Benchmark Technologies
The absence of intersample clipping detail normally associated with high sample may explain some people's preference for rates. DSD. The DAC3 delivers clean PCM Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 30... -
Page 31: 32-Bit Sabre-Pro D/A System
We believe this added headroom is a Benchmark components can communicate bi- groundbreaking improvement. directionally on the trigger I/O ports. This bidirectional communication provides greater flexibility. In a given system, the power Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 31... -
Page 32: Distributed Power Regulation
Benchmark device can be used 3.5 dB, sample rate is 211 kHz, and jitter- to start or stop the entire audio system in a induced distortion and noise is at least 160 dB sequenced manner. below the level of the music - well below the threshold of hearing. - Page 33 All 31 output spectra are identical and are varied with extremely high precision to free from any signs of jitter-induced achieve the proper phase relationship to the distortion. reference clock. The clock isolation of the Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 33...
- Page 34 Jitter-induced sidebands are extremely your ears be the judge). There will be complex and cannot be removed with any absolutely no change in performance as jitter existing audio device. Therefore, it is very Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 34...
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Page 35: Multi-Mode Asynchronous Usb Audio
Speed) port. USB Audio 2.0 requires at least convenience of computer playback without a USB 2.0 (High Speed) port. compromise. Benchmark's USB Audio 1.1 and USB Audio The Asynchronous USB system supports USB 2.0 modes are frequency agile. This means Audio 2.0 for high-resolution 192kHz, and that the sample rate is controlled by the DSD playback. - Page 36 (through the USB cord) and it remains active The Windows USB Audio 2.0 driver is when the DAC3 is powered down. This available at: feature prevents interruptions to the BenchmarkMedia.com/drivers Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 36...
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Page 37: Usb Driver Installation
This prevents the need to install two different sets of drivers. Please note that the DAC3 USB input will be identified as "Benchmark DAC2" in your computer control panels. This is intentional. Before you install the driver, make sure the USB cable is unplugged. - Page 38 2. A welcome screen will pop-up. Click “Next.” Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 38...
- Page 39 INPUT buttons for three seconds (the 4X light should flash once when selecting the USB input). If the 2X light flashes instead of the 4X light, repeat this step. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 39...
- Page 40 We suggest keeping it in the default location. Click “Install”. 5. When the installation begins you will see the following screen. Please be patient while the driver installs. Installation may require several minutes. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 40...
- Page 41 7. Click “Finish.” The Setup will close automatically. This completes the installation process. You can now enjoy music over the USB Audio 2.0 connection at sample rates up to 192 kHz. DSD can also be played in DoP 1.1 format. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 41...
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Page 42: Performance Graphs
The rise at 0 Hz is normal in an FFT analysis and is not an indication of noise. This 32k point FFT analysis uses a Blackman-Harris window with 16x power averaging, and spans a frequency range of DC to 32 kHz. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 42... - Page 43 This graph demonstrates one of the advantages of switching power supplies. The switching power supplies in the DAC3 operate at frequencies above the audio band and this eliminates the strong line-frequency magnetic fields that would have been created by line-frequency power transformers. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 43...
- Page 44 This 32k point FFT analysis uses a Blackman-Harris window with 16x power averaging. The 10 kHz fundamental has been removed by a notch filter in order to increase the resolution of the A/D converter in the AP2722 test set. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 44...
- Page 45 AP2722 test set. Note that under this full-output condition, the AC line-related hum frequencies (60 Hz, 180 Hz, and 240 Hz) measure better than - 133 dB. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 45...
- Page 46 - 0.015 dB at 10 Hz and -0.031 dB at 40 kHz. The extreme low-frequency extension of the DAC3 virtually eliminates the phase shifts that often occur at low frequencies (near 20 Hz). Bass is rendered in the proper timing relative to high-frequency content. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 46...
- Page 47 5.1 surround system. Four DAC3 converters can be combined to form a 7.1 system. The phase accuracy between any two channels will match the typical phase accuracy shown above. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 47...
- Page 48 -9 dBFS are due to the auto ranging of the AP2722 test set and are an indication that the THD performance of the DAC3 is very close to the measurement limits of the AP2722. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware...
- Page 49 The THD+N levels are slightly higher on the unbalanced outputs. This is due to the relatively low (2 Vrms) signal levels used on unbalanced interfaces. This noise difference highlights one advantage of professional-level balanced interconnects. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 49...
- Page 50 The THD measurements shown above confirm the effectiveness of the differential amplifiers in the DAC3. Additional confirmation can be obtained by measuring the THD of either side of the balanced outputs relative to ground. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 50...
- Page 51 The analog output stages on the DAC3 have high slew rates and are capable of maintaining low THD levels at high frequencies even when driven to 0 dBFS. Note that the THD+N remains very low at 20 kHz, even when operating at maximum output levels. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 51...
- Page 52 This black curve is a plot of THD+N. The red curve is a plot of THD only. Below about 10 kHz, the THD is so low that the THD+N measurement is dominated by noise. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware...
- Page 53 Right Channel *-113.209 dB *-113.208 dB DAC3 - THD+N vs Sample Rate.at27 Graph 12 - THD+N versus Sample Rate The THD+N performance of the DAC3 is identical at all Sample Rates. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 53...
- Page 54 Over the entire range of the AES jitter tolerance test, the THD+N performance of the DAC3 is unchanged. The DAC3 easily passes the AES jitter tolerance test, and it does so without any performance degradation. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 54...
- Page 55 Please note that the 10 kHz fundamental needed to be notched out in order to make this very high- resolution measurement. If the fundamental was not notched out, the spurious tones, produced by the A/D converter in the AP2722 test set, would have obscured the virtually-perfect results. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 55...
- Page 56 -131 dB, and the 10 kHz and 13 kHz products measure about -125 dB. The actual IMD may be better. The results shown are partially limited by the performance of the AP2722 test set. All IMD distortion products should be well below audible levels. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 56...
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Page 57: Specifications
Mute on Receive Error Mute on Lock Error Mute on Idle Channel 50/15 us De-Emphasis Enable Automatic in Consumer Mode De-Emphasis Method Digital IIR De-Emphasis Supported at Fs = 32, 44.1, 48 kHz Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 57... -
Page 58: Group Delay (Latency)
>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 Jitter Attenuation Method Benchmark UltraLock3™ - all inputs Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 58... -
Page 59: Balanced Analog Outputs
< +/- 0.006 dB Status Display Indicators - Type and Location 12 LEDs on Front Panel Selection/Status Indication 1 – Control Lock 5 – Input 2 – Word length 4 – Sample Rate Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 59... -
Page 60: Ac Power Requirements
Overall depth including connectors 9.33” (237 mm) Width 9.5” (249 mm) Height 1.725” (44.5 mm) Weight DAC3 B only 3 lb. DAC3 B with accessories and manual 4 lb. Shipping weight 7 lb. Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 60... -
Page 61: Regulatory Compliance
(European Union) directive 2002/95/EC, or, RoHS (Restrictions of Hazardous Substances). As of July 01, 2006, All Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. products placed on the European Union market are compliant (containing quantity limit weight less than or equal to 0.1% (1000 ppm) of any homogeneous Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI), and flame retardant Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) or Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)). -
Page 62: Ce Certificate Of Conformity
CE Certificate of Conformity Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 62... -
Page 63: Warranty Information
In the event of failure of a product under this warranty, Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. will repair, at no charge, the product returned to its factory. Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. may, at its option, replace the product in lieu of repair. -
Page 64: Benchmark Extended Warranty Options
Benchmark Extended Warranty Options The Benchmark Extended 5-Year Warranty * Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. optionally extends the standard 1-year warranty to a period of five years from the date of delivery. *For the extended warranty to become effective, the original purchaser must register the product at the time of purchase either by way of the enclosed registration card or through the product registration section of the Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. - Page 65 Copyright © 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. 203 East Hampton Place, STE 2 Syracuse, NY 13206 PHONE: +1-315-437-6300 FAX: +1-315-437-8119 benchmarkmedia.com Instruction Manual for DAC3 B with 1.X Firmware Page 65...