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Benchmark DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual

Reference stereo preamplifier
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DAC2 HGC
Benchmark
Instruction Manual
Reference Stereo Preamplifier
PCM and DSD D/A Converter
Headphone Amp ● Asynchronous USB

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Summary of Contents for Benchmark DAC2 HGC

  • Page 1 DAC2 HGC Benchmark Instruction Manual Reference Stereo Preamplifier PCM and DSD D/A Converter Headphone Amp ● Asynchronous USB...

  • Page 2: Safety Information

    BENCHMARK MEDIA SYSTEMS COULD VOID THE USER'S AUTHORITY TO Voltage Selection OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT UNDER FCC REGULATIONS. THE DAC2 HGC IS EQUIPPED WITH A Repairs UNIVERSAL POWER SUPPLY. THERE IS NO VOLTAGE SELECTION SWITCH. AC VOLTAGE RANGE IS 88-264 VAC, 50-60 CAUTION: DO NOT SERVICE OR REPAIR HZ.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    CE Certificates of Conformity AC Power-Entry and Fuse Module Fuses Warranty Information Voltage Selection Benchmark 1 Year Warranty Power Cord The Benchmark 1 Year Warranty Internal Settings Benchmark Extended Warranty The Benchmark Extended 5* Year Removing Top Cover Warranty Low-Impedance Passive Pads The Benchmark’s Extended 2** Year...

  • Page 4: Features

    Features The DAC2 HGC is a reference-grade digital to analog converter, stereo system pre-amplifier, and headphone amplifier with infrared remote control. It supports D/A conversion of PCM sample rates up to 192 kHz, as well as direct DSD conversion. HGC™ (Hybrid Gain Control) – combines motor-driven active analog pot, 32-bit digital...

  • Page 5: Overview

    The DAC2 HGC builds upon Benchmark’s highly successful DAC1 product family. Every DAC1 subsystem has been redesigned and upgraded to achieve higher performance. The DAC2 HGC includes an updated version of Benchmark's highly-effective UltraLock™ jitter-attenuation system. New features have been added to extend the versatility of the product, and improve the listening experience.

  • Page 6: Performance Improvements

    The 4:1 summing reduces noise by about 6 dB. Overall, the DAC2 HGC is about 10 dB quieter than the DAC1. Low-level musical details are faithfully reproduced over a breathtakingly quiet noise floor.

  • Page 7: New Features

    Analog inputs are controlled in the or both. The DAC2 HGC will pull the trigger analog domain. Digital inputs are controlled I/O to 12 volts DC when the DAC2 HGC turns in both domains. on. If an external device pulls the trigger I/O to 12 volts, the DAC2 HGC will turn on.

  • Page 8: Expanded I/O

    Expanded I/O The DAC2 HGC has: • 2 stereo unbalanced analog inputs • 2 optical inputs • 2 coaxial inputs • 1 USB input • 2 stereo unbalanced outputs • 1 balanced stereo output • 1 bi-directional 12 volt trigger...

  • Page 9: Applications

    DAC2 HGC makes it well suited for critical playback in recording studio control rooms and mastering rooms. The versatility of the DAC2 HGC makes it an asset to any high-end audiophile application, including: HDTV, DVD, digital cable, music server, digital radio, analog radio, phono playback, portable music player, etc.

  • Page 10: Dac1 Heritage

    ‘Normal’ and ‘Dim’ / ‘Soft- Mute’ settings independently for ultimate flexibility. The DAC2 HGC adds 32-bit D/A conversion, native 24-bit/192kHz PCM, native DSD conversion, multi-mode Asynchronous USB, sample rate and word length displays, UltraLock2™...

  • Page 11: Quick Start Guide

    Quick Start Guide Remote Control The remote-control has the following Audio Inputs functions (and their respective icons): The DAC2 HGC features two stereo analog • ‘ON’ / ‘OFF’ inputs (RCA) and five stereo digital inputs (2 • ‘Input Up’ / ‘Input Down’...

  • Page 12: Direct Interfacing To Power Amplifiers

    While in ‘Normal’ or ‘Dim’ mode, pressing the The DAC2 HGC is equipped with 10 and 20 ‘OFF’ button will immediately mute the DAC2 dB output attenuators for optimal interfacing. HGC and place the system in standby. After The pads optimize the output signal level of...

  • Page 13: Front Panel

    Front Panel Input Status Display Error Indication The DAC2 HGC has eight LED status The Input Status Display will flash when an indicators on the front panel. error occurs on the selected digital input. The type of error is indicated by the frequency of the flashes.

  • Page 14: Buttons

    When all LED’s are The dual jacks also allow two listeners to lit, the display indicates that the DAC2 HGC monitor and compare notes on what is heard. is muted. When all but one LED are lit, the...
  • Page 15 The gain of the HPA2™ is high enough for the most difficult headphones, but it may be too high for some other headphones. The HPA2™ in the DAC2 HGC features three gain ranges to customize the output level for a particular set of headphones. These gain ranges are set using internal jumpers.

  • Page 16: Hgc™ Volume Control

    TIP: For optimal performance and of the converter. The attenuators optimize minimal noise, the XLR gain jumpers the gain staging between the DAC2 HGC and should be set so that comfortable the power amplifier. This optimization is listening levels occur when the ‘Volume absolutely essential for maximizing the Control’...

  • Page 17: Rear Panel

    The USB input accepts a ‘B-type’ male USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 connector. An ‘A-B type’ USB TIP: The DAC2 HGC will not decode AC3 cable is provided with the DAC2 HGC. The or ADAT signals. The ‘Status Display’ will...

  • Page 18: Dac2 Hgc Instruction Manual Rev B

    The Coaxial inputs accept AES/EBU or S/PDIF digital audio formats. AES3-id and SMPTE The DAC2 HGC’s USB 1.1 is designed, tested 276M standards specify 75-Ohm 1 Vpp and proven compatible with Windows professional format digital audio signals and...

  • Page 19: Outputs

    3 must be left floating. Shorting pin 3 to ground will increase the temperature of the output drivers, will increase power The DAC2 HGC has one unbalanced XLR and consumption, and may cause distortion. two balanced RCA outputs. Unbalanced RCA Analog Outputs...
  • Page 20 1360 feet (see Table 1). But, long un-balanced cables will generally suffer from hum problems due to ground loops. We highly recommend using balanced interconnects for long runs. DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 20...

  • Page 21: Ac Power-Entry And Fuse Module

    INCLUDES TWO FUSES. ALWAYS REPLACE BOTH FUSES AT THE SAME TIME. Voltage Selection THE DAC2 HGC IS EQUIPPED WITH A UNIVERSAL POWER SUPPLY. THERE IS NO VOLTAGE SELECTION SWITCH. AC VOLTAGE RANGE IS 88-264 VAC, 50-60 HZ. THE PRODUCT MAY ALSO BE OPERATED FROM DC POWER OVER A VOLTAGE RANGE OF 125-373 VDC.

  • Page 22: Internal Settings

    The XLR outputs are equipped with low- impedance passive pads that may be used to reduce the output levels while preserving the The DAC2 HGC cover must be removed to full dynamic range of the DAC2 HGC. The gain access to the jumpers. Do not attempt DAC2 HGC ships with the 10 dB pads to remove the faceplate or rear panel.

  • Page 23: Jumpers

    -10 dB – *** (Jumper plug between pins 3 and 4 of each header) – Factory Default • -20 dB – (Jumper plug between pins 5 and 6 of each header) Figure 1 - 10 dB (Factory Default) DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 23...
  • Page 24 Headphone Switch Disable (JP1 and JP2): The DAC2 HGC is configured so that the analog outputs will mute when a headphone plug is inserted into the left-hand jack. This is convenient when the user wishes to switch between headphones and speakers. This feature can be defeated by adding jumpers at JP1 and JP2.
  • Page 25 Figure 5 for less gain. Figure 5 - 0 dB Figure 4 - 10 dB (Factory default) Figure 6 - 20 dB DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 25...

  • Page 26: Rack Mounting

    An optional rack mount adapter allows the The Universal Rack Mount Adapter is a mounting of any two Benchmark System1™ tray that mounts up to two ½ RU Benchmark products in a single rack space. A Blank products in a single race space. The tray Rack Panel can be added when only one unit accepts any combination of ½...

  • Page 27: Benchmark Technologies

    Analog inputs are never converted to to a buffer in the DAC2 HGC. The contents digital, and digital inputs never pass through of the buffer are then asynchronously an analog potentiometer.

  • Page 28: Jitter-Immune Ultralock2

    The conversion system at bits, DSP headroom is 3.5 dB, sample rate is the core of the DAC2 HGC is as good as it 211 kHz, and jitter-induced distortion and gets. The analog circuits that follow the D/A noise is at least 140 dB below the level of the converter are carefully designed.

  • Page 29: Hpa2™ Headphone Amplifier

    HPA2™ Headphone Amplifier Ohm headphone loads are virtually identical. The HPA2™ will substantially improve the The DAC2 HGC headphone output is driven sound of 30 and 60-Ohm headphones. It will by Benchmark’s signature HPA2™ headphone make very noticeable improvements with amplifier.
  • Page 30 (A/D) or in a digital-to-analog The DAC2 HGC employs Benchmark’s converter (D/A). UltraLock2™ technology to eliminate jitter- induced performance problems. UltraLock2™ Many converters use a single-stage Phase...
  • Page 31 Stop-band attenuation can be measured very easily by sweeping a test tone between 24 kHz and at least 200 kHz while monitoring the output of the converter. DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 31...
  • Page 32 What UltraLock™ converters attack jitter at both ends of the audio chain. cannot do: The DAC2 HGC is a great start, as it will allow accurate assessment of various A/D UltraLock2™ converters cannot undo converters. It is impossible to audibly damage that has already been done.

  • Page 33: Multi-Mode Asynchronous Usb Audio System

    Benchmark USB device in USB 1.0, playing tracks up to 96 kHz 24-bit. Any audio played from the computer will then be routed to the Benchmark USB device immediately. There is no software to install or configure.
  • Page 34 2. A welcome screen will pop-up. Click “Next.” 3. When you see the following screen, plug in the in one of the USB ports and hit “Next” DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 34...
  • Page 35 4. You will be prompted to select a location to install the driver. It will default to your Program Files folder. If you wish to install it another location, you can change the location. We suggest keeping it to the default destination folder. Press “Install” DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 35...
  • Page 36 When the installation begins you will see the following screen. Please be patient while the driver installs. Installation time is between 1-5 minutes. 6. Once the installation finishes a message at the top will say “Installation Complete.” Press “Next” to continue. DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 36...
  • Page 37 7. Click “Finish.” The Setup will close automatically and this completes the installation process. You can now enjoy music up to 192 kHz and DSD. DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 37...

  • Page 38: Specifications

    < -140 dB Inter-channel Differential Phase (Stereo Pair – any +/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz sample rate) Inter-channel Differential Phase (Between DAC2 HGC +/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz Units Fs<110 kHz) Any sample rate. DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual...

  • Page 39: Group Delay (Latency)

    1.36 ms at 44.1 kHz sample rate) 1.27 ms at 48 kHz 0.90 ms at 88.2 kHz 0.82 ms at 96 kHz 0.51 ms at 176.4 kHz 0.47 ms at 192 kHz DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 39...

  • Page 40: Analog Audio Inputs

    Off to +10.5 dB (RCA in to Headphone) Factory-Set Analog-Input Gain In Home Theater Bypass +0 dB (RCA in to RCA out) Mode 6 dB (RCA in to XLR out) (w/10dB Pad) DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 40...

  • Page 41: Digital Audio Inputs

    >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 UltraLock2™ - all inputs DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 41...

  • Page 42: Balanced Analog Outputs

    Factory Set Home Theater Bypass Output Level (at 0 +7.5 dBu (1.77 Vrms) dBFS) Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) Off to +7.5 dBu Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. < +/- 0.006 dB 96 kHz) DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 42...

  • Page 43: Hpa2 Tm Headphone Outputs

    Indicators - Type and Location 16 LED’s on Front Panel Selection/Status Indication 1 – Dim/Mute 7 – Input 1 – Home Theater Bypass 1 – Polarity 2 – Word length 4 – Sample Rate DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 43...

  • Page 44: Ac Power Requirements

    Width 9.5” (249 mm) Height 1.725” (44.5 mm) Weight DAC2 HGC only 3 lb. DAC2 HGC with remote control, power cord, extra 4 lb. fuses, and manual Shipping weight 7 lb. DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 44...

  • Page 45: 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 46: Ce Certificates Of Conformity

    CE Certificates of Conformity DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 46...

  • Page 47: 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 48: Benchmark Extended Warranty

    Benchmark Extended Warranty The Benchmark Extended 5* Year Warranty Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. optionally extends the standard one (1) year warranty to a period of five (5)* 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 49 DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 49...
  • Page 50 Copyright © 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. 203 East Hampton Place, STE 2 Syracuse, NY 13206-1633 PHONE: +1-315-437-6300 FAX: +1-315-437-8119 www.benchmarkmedia.com DAC2 HGC Instruction Manual Rev B Page 50...

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