Benchmark DAC2 D Instruction Manual page 6

has at least one dedicated low-noise
regulator. The high-efficiency supplies deliver
the substantial power required by the low-
impedance circuits, the headphone amplifier,
and the output line drivers. A power switch is
included. The standby power consumption is
less than 0.5 W when the unit is off.
Low Magnetic Emissions
The magnetic components in the DAC2 power
supplies operate at over 800 kHz. This allows
the use of very small magnetic components
that emit correspondingly small magnetic
fields. This virtually eliminates all traces of
line-frequency components in the output
spectrum of the DAC2. This also means that
the DAC2 can be placed in close proximity to
any audio component without causing
interference with the other component.
UltraLock2™ Clock System
UltraLock2™ provides the outstanding jitter
attenuation.
Dual-Mode USB Input
The DAC2 has a USB input that can be
operated in two modes; driverless USB
Audio 1.1, and a high sample rate USB
Audio 2.0. Both use asynchronous clocking
to eliminate the USB interface as a source of
clock jitter.
Note: To provide full backward and forward
compatibility, the DAC2 uses the DAC2 USB
drivers. This prevents the need to install two
different sets of drivers. Please note that the
DAC2 USB input will be identified as
"Benchmark DAC2" in your computer control
panels.
Asynchronous USB Audio 2.0
The USB Audio 2.0 interface supports DSD
and 192 kHz, 24-bit PCM. No drivers are
required for Apple operating systems. Drivers
are provided for Windows operating systems
at: BenchmarkMedia.com/drivers
Manual for DAC2 D with 2.X Firmware - Rev. H
Native Asynchronous USB 1.1
The DAC2 has a driverless USB Audio 1.1
mode that supports 96 kHz, 24-bit PCM with
all operating systems. This mode provides a
quick and easy connection to a wide variety of
computers and tablets without installing a
driver.
HGC™ Hybrid Gain Control
HGC™ is Benchmark's unique hybrid gain
control that combines analog and digital gain
control into a single volume control knob.
The HGC™ system uses an active analog gain
control for analog inputs (if equipped) and a
32-bit dithered volume control for digital
inputs. Both types of inputs leverage the low-
impedance passive analog attenuation system
at the XLR outputs.
The dual-domain HGC™ system combines the
high dynamic range of Benchmark's HDR™
analog control (used in the DAC1 HDR) with
the low distortion and accuracy of a digital
control. HGC™ outperforms traditional analog
or digital volume controls, including the two-
stage DAC1 HDR™ system. Musical details
are preserved over a very wide range of
output levels. Analog inputs are controlled in
the analog domain. Digital inputs are
controlled in both domains (32-bit digital
volume plus passive analog attenuators).
The volume control is a servo-driven analog
potentiometer. This control rotates in
response to commands from the remote
control while providing the convenience of
manual adjustments with a physical knob.
Low-Impedance Passive Attenuators
Like the DAC1, the DAC2 includes low-
impedance passive attenuators on the XLR
outputs. These attenuators can be adjusted to
optimize the interface with the power
amplifier or powered monitors. This
optimization places the volume control in its
best operating range. This exclusive
Benchmark feature can provide substantial
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