Enter the world of High Resolution Audio
High-Resolution Audio is More than the Latest Digital Format
1982 brought us the CD and "Perfect Sound Forever". On a top-quality playback system, the CD can sound stunning. Nevertheless, we have come to understand that the 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, CD format is somewhat less than perfect. For this reason, the recording industry is migrating to a variety of high-resolution audio formats. Recordings are now available in 24-bit PCM at sample rates of 96 kHz and 192 kHz. These recordings promise performance that extends well beyond the limitations of the CD, but formats alone are not enough to gain entry to the world of high-resolution audio.
The Myth of High-Resolution Audio
High-Resolution Audio is a myth unless the entire playback system extends beyond the limitations of the CD format. The truth is that the CD format often pushes the limits of very good playback systems. Very few audio systems are capable of rendering the full capabilities of the CD format. Fewer yet are capable of rendering true high-resolution audio performance.
An Audio System is Never Better than its Weakest Link
If a D/A converter, power amplifier, or loudspeaker is limited to CD performance, the entire system will be limited to CD performance. In such a system, the new high-resolution audio formats will fail to deliver any audible improvements.
High-Resolution Audio Components
Benchmark is focused on building some of the highest-quality audio components available. Audio professionals and home audiophiles have come to appreciate the outstanding performance of our products. Benchmark's products will allow you to experience the full capabilities of the new high-resolution recordings while discovering previously overlooked details in your favorite CDs.
Step Beyond the CD and Enter the World of High-Resolution Audio
High-Resolution Playback Begins with the D/A Converter
We live in an analog world. The D/A converter, or "DAC", is the essential bridge between digital storage and analog playback. Today, virtually every audio device has a built-in DAC. CD players, DVD players, computers, HDTVs, cable boxes, and even smartphones, have built-in D/A converters. But there is a problem - these internal D/A converters are rarely capable of delivering high-resolution audio.
Upgrade to an External D/A Converter
The entire audio system in a consumer audio device is normally built for a budget of about $5. These internal converters may boast that they support 24-bits and 192 kHz, but in most cases, they cannot even do justice to the CD format. Internal converters typically provide the equivalent of 14-bit performance. The remaining 10 bits serve marketing purposes.
In contrast, the Benchmark DAC2 external D/A converter delivers the full performance of today's best 24-bit high-resolution recordings.
Digital Connections
Most audio products now have digital outputs. These outputs bypass the internal D/A converters and deliver raw uncorrupted digital data, losslessly preserving all of the details captured in the recording. These raw digital outputs can be connected to an external D/A converter. The resulting performance improvement is often huge.
Volume Control
Any practical audio system will need a volume control. These days, most audio devices use digital volume controls. These controls place significant demands on the quality of a D/A converter. An internal D/A converter that starts with the equivalent of 14-bit performance, may only deliver 12-bit performance at typical volume-control settings. In contrast, the Benchmark DAC2 D/A converter delivers true high-resolution audio performance over a wide range of volume settings. The DAC2 includes the input selection and output buffering functions of a traditional HiFi "preamplifier" and is designed to directly drive power amplifiers.
Amplification
The DAC2 D/A converter can only be fully appreciated when the entire audio chain is capable of similar performance. Audio amplifiers are a weak link in most audio systems. The amplifier often adds significant noise and distortion. It is difficult to cleanly deliver the power and current required by loudspeakers. For this reason, D/A converters have outpaced the development of power amplifiers. Benchmark set out to solve this problem and create an amplifier that matches the performance of the DAC2.
The AHB2 - A New and Different Power Amplifier
The AHB2 uses THX-patented AAA™ technology to virtually eliminate all forms of distortion. We also focused on frequency response, output noise, drive current, damping factor, and reliability. The result is an amplifier that stands head and shoulders above the competition. No amplifier has lower noise or lower distortion than the AHB2. Experience delicate musical details that are usually lost in a veil of noise and distortion.
The SMS1 Loudspeakers - The Final Link in the Chain
Benchmark developed the SMS1 monitors with a focus on achieving low distortion, accurate matching, and a wide frequency range. The quality components and unique crossover design, contribute to the outstanding vocal clarity, natural sound, and excellent musicality of the SMS1 loudspeakers.
A Transparent Audio Path
Benchmark is focused on building products that provide a transparent audio path. We lead the industry with our wide-bandwidth, low-noise, low-distortion designs. Independent measurements show that our products continue to define performance "benchmarks" for the professional audio industry. Many Hi-Fi enthusiasts have joined our loyal base of professional customers. Benchmark products are key components in many of the finest recording studios, but they are also found in many high-end home systems.
Engineered and Manufactured in the USA, Shipped Worldwide!
All Benchmark products are designed and manufactured in the USA. Every product is individually assembled and tested in our state-of-the-art facility in Syracuse, NY. Every unit must meet rigid standards before leaving our plant. Benchmark products are now shipped to virtually every country in the world.
It all Began in 1983
Benchmark began in 1983 as the "Benchmark Sound Company", a small operation working out of a garage in Garland, Texas. Our founder, Allen H. Burdick, began by building very high-performance audio equipment to meet the specialized needs of television broadcast facilities. The company quickly grew, and was incorporated as Benchmark Media Systems, March 5, 1985. Benchmark expanded into additional audio markets, and relocated to Allen's hometown, Syracuse, NY. To this day, all Benchmark products are designed, assembled and tested in our Syracuse facility.
Benchmark - The Measure of Excellence®
We are confident that you will appreciate the audio performance and build-quality of our products. Our goal is to build top-quality products that you will enjoy for years to come. All Benchmark products are robustly engineered to last a lifetime, and are backed by our Extended 5-Year Warranty (USA sales - registration required for warranty extension).
Support - Before and After the Sale
Our Technical Support and Engineering teams will work with you to attain the highest level of performance from whichever Benchmark product you decide to purchase. Feel free to call us at any time with your questions. We are here to provide expert advice. Also, feel free to contact us with suggestions and comments. Feedback from our customers is always appreciated!
Application Notes
Audio Myth - Balanced Headphone Amplifiers are Better
THIS MYTH GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
"Balanced headphone amplifiers are better."
"If balanced line-level connections work well, balanced headphone outputs should also work well."
We disagree!
Benchmark does not offer balanced headphone outputs on any of its products. The reason for this is that a voltage-balanced interface serves no useful purpose when driving headphones. The truth is that a conventional single-ended headphone drive is technically superior to a balanced drive. This paper explains why single-ended headphone amplifiers are inherently more transparent than balanced headphone amplifiers.
DAC2 V2.X Firmware Update - An Inside Look
DAC2 Firmware Update 2.X
Benchmark has recently updated the firmware on the DAC2 HGC and DAC2 L audio D/A converters. This update is available as a field installable kit.
Most Benchmark products have programmable hardware. We use Xilinx FPGA devices (field-programmable gate arrays). These devices provide high-speed high-density digital signal processing, signal routing, and system control. The entire user interface is also controlled by the FPGA. This programmable-hardware architecture provides generous space for system updates, audio decoders, digital filters and other enhancements.
This application note explains the performance and feature changes in version 2.X.
Inside the DAC2 - Part 3 - Power Supplies
Power Supplies in Audio D/A Converters
The Benchmark DAC2 is an audio digital-to-analog converter. This application note explains the power supply configuration inside Benchmark's DAC2 D/A converter. In part 1 of this series we discussed the importance of the analog section of an audio converter. In part 2 we discussed the unique high-headroom digital processing chain inside the DAC2. The analog and digital systems each contribute toward Benchmark's overall goal of transparent musical reproduction, but this goal can only be reached when these systems are supported by a well-designed power supply system. In many cases, classic solutions (linear power supplies, line-frequency transformers, and large banks of capacitors) fail to deliver adequate performance. The DAC2 takes a radically different approach.
Inside the DAC2 - Part 2 - Digital Processing
Digital Processing in Audio D/A Converters
The Benchmark DAC2 is an audio digital-to-analog converter. This application note explains the proprietary digital processing inside Benchmark's DAC2 D/A converter. In part 1 of this series we made the case that 90% of the components in an audio converter are analog, and that about 90% of the "magic" happens in the analog processing. Nevertheless the 10% that is digital still makes an audible contribution to the sound of an audio D/A converter. This is especially true when the digital processing is complemented by a very pure and clean analog section. With a highly transparent analog section, some of the subtleties of the digital processing can become apparent.
Take a tour of the digital processing chain in the DAC2.
