Expanded I/O; Applications; Dac1 Heritage - Benchmark DAC2 Series Instruction Manual

Polarity Control
Each digital input can be inverted to correct
polarity problems. Some listeners report that
polarity is incorrect on some recordings, and
that they enjoy an improved listening
experience when this is corrected.
Bi-directional 12V Trigger (DAC2
HGC and DAC2 L model only)
The 12V trigger can be connected to other
audio components so that an entire audio
system can turn on and off in a sequenced
fashion. The DAC2trigger I/O could be
connected to a preamplifier, power amplifier,
or both. The DAC2 will pull the trigger I/O to
12 volts DC when the DAC2 turns on. If an
external device pulls the trigger I/O to 12
volts, the DAC2 will turn on.

Expanded I/O

The DAC2 Series has:
• 2 stereo unbalanced analog inputs
(DAC2 HGC and DAC2 L model only)
• 2 optical inputs
• 2 coaxial inputs
• 1 USB input
• 2 stereo unbalanced outputs
• 1 balanced stereo output
• 1 bi-directional 12 volt trigger (DAC2
HGC and DAC2 L model only)

Applications

The DAC2 is designed for maximum
transparency and purity. The sonic integrity of
the DAC2 makes it well suited for critical
playback in recording studio control rooms and
mastering rooms. The versatility of the DAC2
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.
Benchmark's Multi-Mode Asynchronous
USB™ interface makes the DAC2 an ideal
output device for computer-based media
DAC2 Series Instruction Manual
playback, including: home media servers,
digital audio workstations, desktop audio
editing application, and computer-based radio
broadcast systems.

DAC1 Heritage

The pristine audio performance of the award-
winning DAC1 made it the 'Benchmark' of
stand-alone D/A converters. The DAC1 USB
and DAC1 PRE , and DAC1 HDR added
features and minor performance
improvements. The DAC2 series continues
the tradition of perfectionism by adding many
new technologies, features, and major
performance improvements.
With the introduction of the DAC1 USB we
added an advanced USB input with native 96-
kHz / 24-kHz capability, an auto-mute function
for headphone use, customizable headphone
gain range, an auto-standby feature, and a
high-current LM4562/LME49860 output stage
designed to drive difficult loads.
The DAC1 PRE added the versatility of a
stereo analog input and three S/PDIF digital
inputs. The LM4562/LME49860 opamps were
used throughout the analog section, and all
RCA connectors were upgraded to premium
gold plated, Teflon insulated bulkhead
mounted RCA connectors for maximum
durability and superior grounding.
The DAC1 HDR added a remote-control and
the HDR-VC™ volume control. The HDR-
VC™ volume control is built with a custom-
made, motor-driven Alps potentiometer. The
intelligent volume control allows the user to
easily control the 'Normal' and 'Dim' / 'Soft-
Mute' settings independently for ultimate
flexibility.
The DAC2 is a complete redesign with 32-bit
D/A conversion, native 24-bit/192kHz PCM,
native DSD conversion, multi-mode
Asynchronous USB, sample rate and word
length displays, UltraLock2™ jitter
attenuation, polarity switch, home theater
bypass (DAC2 HGC and DAC2 L model only),
bi-directional 12V trigger (DAC2 HGC and
DAC2 L model only). It also adds 1 additional
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