Bi-Directional 12V Trigger - Benchmark DAC2 DX Instruction Manual

Bi-directional 12V Trigger

Benchmark has reinvented the 12 volt trigger
by adding bi-directional signaling. The trigger
connection on the DAC2 DX can be used as
an input, an output, or both. It is compatible
with any common 12 volt trigger input or
output. The 12V TRIGGER I/O can be used
to turn other audio components on when the
DAC2 DX turns on. The DAC2 DX can also
turn on and off in response to other
connected components. The Benchmark bi-
directional 12V Trigger is compatible with
virtually all trigger systems.
The 12V TRIGGER I/O can be connected to
the trigger input or output ports on a
preamplifier, power amplifier, or both.
The DAC2 DX can send a 12 Volt DC trigger
signal to start other components in the
system, or it can wake up in response to an
externally generated trigger signal. The DAC2
DX automatically configures its trigger I/O
port as an input (slave) or output (master).
Trigger Output (DAC2 DX is Master)
When the DAC2 DX is turned on using the
POWER button (on the front panel), or the
ON button (on the remote), the DAC2 DX
configures itself as a trigger master and will
drive the 12V TRIGGER I/O to 12 volts DC
and hold it there while the DAC2 DX is on.
The trigger output signal generated by the
DAC2 DX is delayed so that the DAC2 DX
can stabilize before downstream devices
(such as power amplifiers) turn on. When
powering down, the DAC2 DX will mute
before allowing the trigger line to drop low.
The DAC2 DX keeps the internal power
supplies running for 10 seconds after
dropping the trigger. This delay gives other
triggered components ample time to mute
and shut down.
If the AUTO-ON function is enabled, the
DAC2 DX will automatically turn on when AC
power is applied, configure itself as a trigger
master, and ignore any external signaling on
the 12V TRIGGER I/O line. In AUTO-ON
mode, the DAC2 DX will always drive the
Instruction Manual for DAC2 DX with
12V TRIGGER I/O line to 12 V (after a short
start-up delay).
Trigger Input - (DAC2 DX is Slave)
If the DAC2 DX is off and an external device
pulls the trigger I/O to 12 volts, the DAC2
DX will configure itself as a trigger slave and
will follow the actions of the trigger input. The
DAC2 DX will then turn off when the external
device stops sending the 12 V trigger.
Typical Trigger Applications
In most systems, the 12V TRIGGER will be
used to connect the DAC2 DX to one other
device. The DAC2 DX can be connected to
the first trigger input at the beginning of a
trigger chain, or it can be connected to the
last trigger output at the end of the chain
(less common).
Typical trigger applications:
 DAC2 DX → Amplifier
 DAC2 DX → Amplifier → Amplifier
 DAC2 DX → Preamplifier → Amplifier
Trigger Bus Applications
The Benchmark bi-directional trigger system
also supports multiple trigger ports wired
together on a bus.
A group of Benchmark trigger ports can be
connected to a group of non-Benchmark
trigger input ports to form a single trigger
bus. A bus should never be connected to
more than one non-Benchmark trigger output
port. If an output port is connected to the
bus, this device should be used to start the
audio system.
A 3.5 mm (1/8") TRS "Y" cable can be used to
split the trigger output of the DAC2 DX to
feed more than one trigger input.
Benchmark AHB2 power amplifiers have two
trigger I/O ports that are wired in parallel.
This makes it easy to connect more than one
power amplifier to a trigger bus (without the
2.X Firmware - Rev. B Page 17