Description
Benchmark DAC3 B
The Benchmark DAC3 B is a highly acclaimed product, small in proportions yet massive in control and definition and has one of the best measured-performance specifications in the industry, a truly outstanding little DAC!
Benchmark converters are designed to be sonically neutral. This sonic transparency is absolutely essential in the studio monitoring chain.
Benchmark converters have become a standard fixture in many of the world’s finest studios.
Bring the Studio into Your Living Room
When Benchmark’s professional converters are used in hi-fi applications, studio-quality sound can be enjoyed in a home environment. Enjoy pure music without any coloration from the electronics. Hear the music exactly the way it was heard in the studio, and exactly the way the artists intended.
Discover the natural, uncoloured, analogue sound of Benchmark converters.
High-Headroom DSP
- Nearly Exclusive to Benchmark
- Provides 3 dB Headroom Above 0 dBFS
- Prevents Clipping of Intersample Peaks
- 0 dBS+ Intersample Peaks Often Occur 100s of Times per Second
- Prevents Short Bursts of High-Amplitude Distortion
- Not Available on Most Other D/A Converters
- May Be the Single Most Important Difference
Linear-Phase Filters
- DAC Reconstruction Filter has a Linear Phase Brick Wall Response
- Accurately Reproduces the Original Analogue Waveform
- Preserves the Analogue Waveshape Through Multiple A/D and D/A Conversions
- Waveform Integrity is Extremely Important for Studio Applications
- Delivers a Studio Experience to the Listening Space
- The “Custom” Filters Found in Other DACs Change the Analogue Waveform
Studio or Hi-Fi Output Levels
- High Signal Levels can Increase the System SNR
- Studios use Levels that are 10 dB Higher than Hi-Fi Levels
- The DAC3 Balanced Outputs Can be Configured for Studio or Hi-Fi Output Levels
- All Benchmark Products use Studio Levels Internally
- In an All-Benchmark System, Every Balanced Interface Operates at Studio Levels
The Benchmark DAC3B delivers a clear, open, and uncluttered playback across the entire frequency range.
Instrumental overtones are rendered with exceptional precision and realism. Vocals are reproduced with outstanding accuracy and natural tones. Transients are fast and precise. Bass is deep and well controlled.
The ultra-linear phase response of the DAC3, allows it to create a precise three-dimensional rendering of the recorded space. This space is open and uncluttered because noise and distortion are held below the 0-dB SPL threshold of hearing at all playback levels.
Specifications
Audio Performance:
Fs = 44.1 to 96 kHz, 20 to 20 kHz BW, 1 kHz test tone, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu (unless noted)
SNR
- SNR – A-Weighted, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu: – 125 dB, 128 dB relative to intersample peaks
- SNR – Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu: – 123 dB, 126 dB relative to intersample peaks
THD
- THD+N, 1 kHz at 0 dBFS: -113 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022%
- THD+N, 1 kHz at -1 dBFS: -114 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022%
- THD+N, 1 kHz at –3 dBFS: -119 dBFS, -116 dB, 0.00016%
- THD+N, 20 to 20 kHz test tone at –3 dBFS: -113 dBFS, -110 dB, 0.00032%
Frequency Response
Frequency Response at Fs=192 kHz:
- +0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 to 20 kHz)
- -0.015 dB at 10 Hz
- -0.005 dB at 20 kHz
- -0.031 dB at 40 kHz
- -0.15 dB at 80 kHz
- -0.15 dB at 80 kHz
Frequency Response at Fs=48 kHz:
- +0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 to 20 kHz)
- -0.015 dB at 10 Hz
- -0.005 dB at 20 kHz
Crosstalk
- -137 dB at 20 Hz
- -130 dB at 1 kHz
- -116 dB at 20 kHz
Maximum Amplitude
- Maximum Amplitude of Jitter Induced Sidebands (10 kHz 0 dBFS test tone, 12.75 UI sinusoidal jitter at 1 kHz): < -144 dB
- Maximum Amplitude of Spurious Tones with 0 dBFS test signal: < -138 dB
- Maximum Amplitude of Idle Tones: < -147 dB
- Maximum Amplitude of AC line related Hum & Noise: < -133 dB
Inter-channel Differential Phase
- Stereo Pair – any sample rate: +/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz
- Between DAC3 Units Fs<110 kHz) – any sample rate: +/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz
Phase Lock Loop
- Maximum Lock Time after Fs change: 6 ms
Volume/Mute Characteristics
- Soft Mute Ramp Up/Down Time: 9.6 ms
- Mute on Receive Error: Yes
- Mute on Lock Error: Yes
- Mute on Idle Channel: No
De-Emphasis
- 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
Group Delay (Latency):
Delay – Digital Input to Analog Output (function of sample rate)
- 1.36 ms at 44.1 kHz
- 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
Digital Audio Inputs:
- Number of Digital Inputs (switch selected): 5 (1 USB, 2 Optical, 2 Coaxial)
- Number of Channels: 2
- Input Sample Frequency Range (Coaxial Inputs): 28 to 210 kHz
- Input Sample Frequency Range (Optical Inputs): 28 to 96 kHz
- Input Sample Frequency Range (USB Inputs): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
- Maximum Input Word Length: 24 bits
- Digital Input Impedance: 75 Ohms (Coaxial Inputs)
- DC Blocking Capacitors on Digital Inputs: Yes (Coaxial Inputs)
- Transient and Over-Voltage Protection on Digital Inputs: Yes (Coaxial Inputs)
- Minimum Digital Input Level: 250 mVpp (Coaxial Inputs)
- Jitter Tolerance (With no Measurable Change in Performance): >12.75 UI sine at 100 Hz to 3 kHz, >1.5 UI sine at 20 kHz, >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
Balanced Analogue Outputs:
- Number of Balanced Analog Outputs: 2
- Output Connector: Gold-Pin Neutrik™ male XLR
- Output Impedance: 60 Ohms (Attenuator off), 425 Ohms (Attenuator = 10 dB), 135 Ohms (Attenuator = 20 dB)
- Analogue Output Clip Point: +30 dBu
- Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS): +24 dBu (Attenuator off)
- Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. 96 kHz): < +/- 0.006 dB
Unbalanced Analogue Outputs:
- Number of Unbalanced Analogue Outputs: 2
- Output Connector: RCA
- Output Impedance: 30 Ohms
- Analogue Output Clip Point: +13.5 dBu (3.7 Vrms)
- Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS): +8.2 dBu (2 Vrms)
- Output Level Variation with Sample Rate: < +/- 0.006 dB
Status Display:
- Indicators – Type and Location: 12 LED’s on Front Panel
- Selection/Status Indication: 1 – Control Lock, 5 – Input, 2 – Word length, 4 – Sample Rate
AC Power Requirements:
- Nominal Input Operating Voltage Range (VAC RMS): 100 – 240V
- Frequency: 50-60 Hz
- Power: < 0.5 Watts Idle, 12 Watts Typical Program, 13 Watts Maximum
- Fuses: 5 x 20 mm (2 required), 0.5 A 250 V Slo-Blo®Type
- Min/Max Operating range (VAC RMS): 90 – 260 VAC, 47 – 63 Hz
Dimensions:
- Form Factor: ½ Rack Wide, 1 RU High
- Depth behind front panel: 8.5” (216 mm)
- Overall depth including connectors but without power cord: 9.33” (237 mm)
- Width: 9.5” (249 mm)
- Height: 1.725” (44.5 mm)
Weight:
- DAC3 only: 3 lb.
- DAC3 with remote control, power cord, extra fuses, and manual: 4 lb.
- Shipping Weight: 7 lb.
Important Features:
- Sample Rate Display
- Word Length Display
- 5 Digital Inputs
- 2 Stereo Analogue Outputs (1 RCA, 1 XLR)
- Digital Pass Through
- Native DSD Conversion
- Control-lock Switch
- Asynchronous USB 2.0
- Bi-Directional 12 Volt Trigger
- Power Switch
- Low Power Consumption
- ES9028PRO Converter
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