Benchmark DAC3 HGC - Digital to Analog Audio Converter

Manual

DAC3 B Manual

Driver

Windows operating systems prior to Windows 10 require a driver when operating in USB Audio 2.0 mode. USB Audio 2.0 mode is required for sample rates over 96 kHz. No driver is required for Mac or Linux operating systems.

DAC2 and DAC3 Driver

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 = +27 dBu: - 128 dB
• SNR – Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +27 dBu: - 126 dB

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 Analog 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)
• Analog Output Clip Point: +30 dBu
• Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS): +24 dBu (Attenuator off)
• Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Variable’ Mode: 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 with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. 96 kHz): < +/- 0.006 dB

Unbalanced Analog Outputs:

• Number of Unbalanced Analog Outputs: 4
• Output Connector: RCA
• Output Impedance: 30 Ohms
• Analog Output Clip Point: +13.5 dBu (3.7 Vrms)
• Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS): +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

HPA2™ Headphone Outputs:

• Number of Headphone Outputs: 2
• Output Connectors: ¼” TRS with switch on left-hand jack
• Output Impedance: < 0.11 Ohms
• Output Level Control: Stereo Control on Front Panel
• Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) into 60-Ohm Load: Off to +21.5 dBu (9.2 Vrms)
• Output Power: 1.25 W into 30 Ohms
• Maximum Output Current: 250 mA
• Overload Protection (independent per channel): Current limited at 300 mA, Thermal
• Bandwidth: > 500 kHz, -0.35 dB at 200 kHz
• THD+N at 20 mW: -108 dB (0.0004%) into 300 Ohms, -100 dB (0.0010%) into 30 Ohms

Status Display:

• Indicators - Type and Location: 16 LED’s on Front Panel
• Selection/Status Indication: 1 – Dim/Mute, 1 - Polarity, 6 – Input, 2 – Bypass/Calibrated Output, 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 Analog Inputs (2 RCA)
• 3 Stereo Analog Outputs (2 RCA, 1 XLR)
• Digital Pass Through
• Native DSD Conversion
• Polarity Switch
• Asynchronous USB 2.0
• Home Theater Bypass
• Bi-Directional 12 Volt Trigger
• Power Switch
• Low Power Consumption
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