DAC2 HGC Review - Garrett Haines, Tape Op

DAC2 HGC - "I Would Put the New Benchmark Unit Against Any 2-Channel D/A"

"A few things are brand-new technologies. Foremost in my mind is the DSP that promises 3.5 dB digital headroom beyond 0 dBFS. Those familiar with Nielsen and Lund's AES paper on 0 dBFS+ levels (and if you're not, you really should change that) know that the converted analog output can still clip on playback, even though the digital source material may never exceed 0 dBFS, because of inter-sample peaks in the reconstructed waveform. The DAC2 HGC maintains at least 3.5 dB of headroom throughout the conversion system, which precludes it from clipping."

"The original Benchmark DAC1 has been used to master many Grammy-winning and chart-topping records. It is hard to imagine that even better performance has been squeezed out of that box, but the DAC2 HGC does that."

"More than an updated faceplate on the original DAC1, the DAC2 HGC offers its own reference sound that will be welcome in the listening environments of both audio engineers and audiophiles. Personally, I would put the new Benchmark unit against any 2-channel D/A on the market."

- Garrett Haines, Tape Op