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User Manual for Benchmark DAC3-L Reference DAC and Stereo Preamp Click to enlarge the picture
Contents of the user manual for the Benchmark DAC3-L Reference DAC and Stereo
- Product category: DACs Benchmark
- Brand: Benchmark
- Description and content of package
- Technical information and basic settings
- Frequently asked questions – FAQ
- Troubleshooting (does not switch on, does not respond, error message, what do I do if...)
- Authorized service for Benchmark DACs
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User manual for the Benchmark DAC3-L Reference DAC and Stereo contain basic instructions
that need to be followed during installation and operation.
Before starting your appliance, the user manual should be read through carefully.
Follow all the safety instructions and warnings, and be guided by the given recommendations.
User manual is an integral part of any Benchmark product,
and if it is sold or transferred, they should be handed over jointly with the product.
Following the instructions for use is an essential prerequisite for protecting
health and property during use, as well as recognition of liability on the part of the manufacturer
for possible defects should you make a warranty claim. Download an official Benchmark user manual in which you will find instructions on how to install, use, maintain and service your product.
And do not forget – unsuitable use of a Benchmark product will considerably shorten its lifespan!
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Product description The silver DAC3-L from Benchmark is a two-channel reference preamplifier with a built-in digital to analog converter system. It is capable of converting Direct Stream Digital (DSD) signals as well as Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) files up to 24-bit / 192 kHz. Designed as an output device for computer-based media, the DAC3-L can be used with home media servers, digital audio workstations, desktop audio editing applications, and computer-based radio broadcast systems. The DAC3-L maintains the familiar DAC2 form factor and feature set, but delivers the higher performance available from the ES9028PRO D/A converter chip.The 8-channel/32-bit ESS Technologies ES9028PRO chip features two distortion compensation systems, which independently remove most of the 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortion in the D/A converter. It also uses 4:1 summing to form each of the two output channels. This results in an enhanced frequency response and a 6 dB signal to noise improvement with low THD and THD+N noise.The DAC3-L follows sample-rate changes initiated by your computer or software and uses a multimode asynchronous USB system for data transfer. This allows the unit to act as the clock master, reducing jitter by first transferring the audio data from your computer to an internal buffer, and then to the digital to analog subsystem. The dual data transfer uses Benchmark's proprietary UltraLock3 jitter attenuation system, reducing jitter noise and distortion to at least 140 dB below the level of the audio.The Hybrid Gain Control (HGC) combines the unit's active analog gain control, passive low-impedance attenuators, 32-bit digital gain control, and servo-driven volume control. The HGC provides the dynamic range of an analog system and the accuracy of digital control. All analog inputs are controlled in the analog system and digital inputs in the digital system. The 32-bit Digital Signal Processing (DSP) also provides up to 3.5 dBFS excess digital headroom throughout the entire conversion process.The DAC3-L features a variety of input and output options including two stereo unbalanced analog RCA inputs, two optical TOSLINK digital inputs, two coaxial digital inputs, one USB digital input, two stereo analog unbalanced RCA outputs, and one stereo analog balanced XLR output. It is compatible with the Benchmark IR remote control (available separately). - 2-channel D/A converter designed for maximum transparency—converters are ideal for critical reference-quality professional systems
- 8-channel/32-bit ESS Technologies ES9028PRO converter chip uses 4:1 summing to form each of the two output channels—achieves a 6 dB signal to noise improvement with low THD and THD+N noise
- ES9028PRO features two distortion compensation systems that independently remove most of the 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortion in the D/A converter
- High-headroom DSP is designed to handle signals as high as +3.5 dBFS in the entire conversion system and prevents common DSP overloads
- All digital inputs support native PCM or DSD conversion
- All inputs are fully isolated from interface jitter by Benchmark's UltraLock3 jitter attenuation system
- Hybrid Gain Control system combines active analog gain control, passive low-impedance attenuators, 32-bit digital gain control, and a servo-driven volume control—all inputs are controlled by the rotary volume control, which also moves in response to commands from the remote control (included)
- Analog inputs are never converted to digital, and digital inputs never pass through an analog potentiometer
- Digital inputs are controlled in the 32-bit DSP system to preserve precise L/R balance and precise stereo imaging, while avoiding any source of noise and distortion
- USB system supports USB Audio 1.1 for sample rates up to 96 kHz and USB Audio 2.0 for high-resolution 192 kHz and DSD playback—system is frequency agile and will follow sample rate changes initiated by the computer and/or the media playback software
- Sample-rate and word-length displays confirm the proper operation of your media player
- High-fidelity preamplifier includes input selection, volume control, and output buffering functions—high-current output stage can be programmed to match the input sensitivity of your power amplifier or powered speakers
- Programmable Home Theater Bypass function sets the pass-through gain to unity for integration of a home theater audio system via the RCA inputs
- Second coaxial input can be reconfigured as a digital output—in output mode, any selected digital input, including USB, will pass through to the coaxial output
- 12-volt trigger connection can be used as an input, output or both, and is compatible with any common 12-volt trigger input or output—the trigger can be used to turn a power amplifier on or off automatically or respond to a 12-volt trigger and follow the actions of another audio component
- Distributed power supply regulation to achieve the lowest possible noise—each critical subsystem has at least one dedicated low-noise voltage regulator
- Compatible with Benchmark IR remote control (available separately)—all functions can be controlled from the front panel or from the remote
- Designed, assembled, and tested in the USA using USA and imported components—most major components are made in the USA
- DAC3 vs. DAC2The DAC3 maintains the familiar DAC2 form factor and feature set but adds the higher performance available from the ES9028PRO D/A converter
- Active 2nd Harmonic Compensation
- Active 3rd Harmonic Compensation
- Lower THD+N
- Lower passband ripple
- Improved frequency response
- Faster PLL lock times
- Faster switching between input signals
- DAC3 vs. DAC1The DAC3 and DAC2 added these features not found on the DAC1:
- Asynchronous 192 kHz USB Audio 2.0
- 32-bit D/A conversion system
- Word Length Display
- Sample Rate Display
- Polarity Control
- Direct DSD D/A Conversion
- -20 dB DIM
- Bi-Directional 12V Trigger
- Power Switch with Auto-On Function
- Home Theater Bypass
- Digital Pass-Through
- High-Headroom DSP
- Dual-Domain Hybrid Gain Control
- Additional I/O
In the Box Benchmark DAC3-L Reference DAC and Stereo Preamp (Silver) USB Cable 12V Trigger Cable Power Cable 2 x Spare Fuses Limited 5-Year Warranty with Benchmark Online Registration Table of Contents
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Technical parametersBenchmark 500-14800-330 Specs | | | Sampling Frequency | Fs = 44.1 to 96 kHz, 20 Hz to 20 kHz BW, 1 kHz test tone, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu (unless noted) | | Signal to Noise Ratio | A-Weighted, 0 dBFS = +27 dBu: 128 dB
Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +27 dBu: 126 dB | | Dynamic Range | A-Weighted at Maximum Volume: 128 dB
Unweighted at Maximum Volume: 126 dB | | Total Harmonic Distortion/Noise | 1 kHz at 0 dBFS: -113 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022%
1 kHz at -1 dBFS: -114 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022%
1 kHz at -3 dBFS: -119 dBFS, -116 dB, 0.00016%
20 Hz to 20 kHz Sweep at -3 dBFS: -113 dBFS, -110 dB, 0.00032% | | Frequency Response | Fs= 192 kHz:
+0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 Hz 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 kHzFs= 48 kHz:
+0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 Hz to 20 kHz)
-0.015 dB at 10 Hz
-0.005 dB at 20 kHz | | Crosstalk | -116 dB at 20 kHz
-130 dB at 1 kHz
-137 dB at 20 Hz | | Max Amplitude | Jitter Induced Sidebands (10 kHz 0 dBFS test tone, 12.75 UI sinusoidal jitter at 1 kHz): < -144 dB
Spurious Tones with 0 dBFS Test Signal: < -138 dB
Idle Tones: < -147 dB
AC Line Related Hum & Noise: < -133 dB | | Inter-Channel Differential Phase | Stereo pair—Any Sample Rate: ±0.25° at 20 kHz
Between DAC3 Units Fs <110 kHz—Any Sample Rate: ±0.25° at 20 kHz | | Maximum Lock Time | After Fs change: 6 ms | | Soft Mute | Ramp Up/Down Time: 9.6 ms | | Mute | On Receive Error: Yes
On Lock Error: Yes
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 | | Latency | 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 | | | | Inputs | 2 x RCA stereo pairs | | Input Impedance | 20 KOhms | | Analog Input Clip Point | +18.5 dBu (6.5 Vrms) | | Input Sensitivity | +8.2 dBu (2 Vrms) | | Input Bandwidth | >500 kHz, -0.6 dB at 200 kHz | | Input THD+N | Analog to Analog, 2 Vrms In, +24 dBu Out: -110 dB (0.00032%) | | Outputs | 2 x RCA stereo pairs | | Output Impedance | 30 Ohms | | Output Clipping Level | +13.5 dBu (3.7 Vrms) | | Output Level | Factory-Set Home Theater Bypass Output Level (with 0 dBFS digital input): +8.2 dBu (2 Vrms)
Output Level Range (with 0 dBFS digital input): Off to +11.7 dBu (3 Vrms)
Output Level Variation with Sample Rate: < ±0.006 dB | | | | Balanced Output | 2 x gold-pin Neutrik male XLR | | Output Impedance | 60 Ohms (Attenuator off)
425 Ohms (Attenuator = 10 dB)
135 Ohms (Attenuator = 20 dB) | | Output Clipping Level | +29 dBu | | Bypass Level | Factory-Set (with 0 dBFS digital input): +24 dBu (attenuator = 0 dB) | | Volume Control | With 0 dBFS Digital Input:
Off to +27.5 dBu (attenuator off)
Off to +17.5 dBu (attenuator = 10 dB)
Off to +7.5 dBu (attenuator = 20 dB) | | Output Level Variation | Output Level Variation with Sample Rate: < ±0.006 dB | | | | Channels | 2 | | Digital Inputs | Switchable between:
1 x USB 1.1 or USB 2.0
2 x TOSLINK optical
2 x Coaxial | | Formats | Supports PCM stereo, AES/EBU, SPDIF digital formats | | Input Sample Frequency Range | Coaxial Inputs: 28 to 210 kHz
Optical Inputs: 28 to 96 kHz
USB Input: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz (USB input) | | Word Length | Maximum: 24 bits | | Input Impedance | Coaxial Inputs: 75 Ohms | | Capacitors | DC Blocking: Yes (coaxial inputs) | | Transient/Over-Voltage Protection | Yes (coaxial inputs) | | Minimum Input Level | Coaxial: 250 mVpp | | Jitter | Tolerance (With No Measurable Change in Performance):
>12.75 UI sine, 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 kHzJitter Attenuation Method:
Benchmark UltraLock3 (all inputs) | | | | Indicators | 16 x LEDs on front panel | | Selection Indication | 1 x Dim/Mute
1 x Polarity
7 x Input
1 x Bypass/Calibrated Output
2 x Word length
4 x Sample Rate | | | | System Requirement | USB Audio 1.1 Mode (No Driver Installation Required):
Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
Mac OS X, iPads with 30-pin to USB Camera KitUSB Audio 2.0 Mode
Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 (driver installation required for all Windows versions)
Mac OS X 10.6 or later (no driver installation required for all OS X versions) | | Remote | Compatible with Benchmark IR remote control (available separately) | | Operating Voltage | Nominal Operating Range: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Min/Max Operating Range: 90-260 VAC, 47/63 Hz | | Power | <0.5 W, standby 12 W, typical program 15 W, maximum | | Fuses | 5 x 20 mm (2 required)
0.5 A 250 V, Slo-Blo type | | Compliance | FCC, RoHS | | Rack Size | 1/2-rack wide, 1 RU high | | Dimensions (DxWxH) | DxWxH: 8.5 x 9.5 x 1.725" / 215.9 x 241.3 x 43.815 mm
Overall depth including connectors: 9.33" / 236.982 mm | | Weight | 3 lb (1.36 kg) |
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