- Features
- Specification
- Related Products
Features
DAC3 B - Basic Features
The DAC3 B is the basic D/A converter in Benchmark's DAC3 converter series. The DAC3 B is the ideal converter to use in front of Benchmark's HPA4 headphone amplifier or LA4 line amplifier. It is also ideal for many professional studio applications. It delivers the full performance of the flagship DAC3 HGC, but eliminates the volume control, the analog inputs, the mute and polarity controls, and the headphone amplifier.
To make system integration easy, the DAC3 B retains IR remote control (handset optional), 12 V trigger, and the programmable auto-on feature. The DAC3 B adds a control-lock feature that turns off the remote control and locks the keypad to prevent tampering and accidental changes. The optional 1/2-width rack-mount faceplate allows the mounting of two units in a single 1-RU rack space.
The DAC3 B is a 2-channel D/A converter featuring the new ESS Technologies ES9028PRO converter chip. The DAC3 converter has lower THD and THD+N noise than Benchmark's DAC2 converters.
Reference Performance
The DAC3 delivers outstanding musical detail and precise stereo imaging. It employs an advanced high-headroom digital filter design, and a high-sample-rate Asynchronous USB Audio interface. All inputs are fully isolated from interface jitter by Benchmark's new UltraLock3™ jitter attenuation system.
Internal digital processing and conversion is 32-bits, and this processing includes 3.5 dB of headroom above 0 dBFS. This headroom prevents the DSP overloads that commonly occur in other D/A converters.
Four balanced 32-bit D/A converters are summed together to create each balanced analog output. This 4:1 summation provides a 6 dB noise reduction, and gives the DAC3 industry-leading performance.
DAC3 Technologies
- Harmonic Compensation
- UltraLock3™ Jitter Attenuation System
- High-Headroom DSP
- Multi-Mode Asynchronous USB Audio System
- Quad 32-bit balanced D/A Conversion System
- Distributed Power Regulation
Specification
Audio Performance
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Fs = 44.1 to 96 kHz, 20 to 20 kHz BW, 1 kHz test tone, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu (unless noted) |
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SNR – A-Weighted, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu |
125 dB, 128 dB relative to intersample peaks |
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SNR – Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu |
123 dB, 126 dB relative to intersample peaks |
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THD+N, 1 kHz at 0 dBFS |
-113 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022% |
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THD+N, 1 kHz at -1 dBFS |
-114 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022% |
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THD+N, 1 kHz at –3 dBFS |
-119 dBFS, -116 dB, 0.00016% |
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THD+N, 20 to 20 kHz test tone at –3 dBFS |
-113 dBFS, -110 dB, 0.00032% |
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Frequency Response at Fs=192 kHz |
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Frequency Response at Fs=48 kHz |
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Crosstalk |
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Maximum Amplitude of Jitter Induced Sidebands (10 kHz 0 dBFS test tone, 12.75 UI sinusoidal jitter at 1 kHz) |
< -144 dB |
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Maximum Amplitude of Spurious Tones with 0 dBFS test signal |
< -138 dB |
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Maximum Amplitude of Idle Tones |
< -147 dB |
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Maximum Amplitude of AC line related Hum & Noise |
< -133 dB |
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Inter-channel Differential Phase (Stereo Pair – any sample rate) |
+/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz |
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Inter-channel Differential Phase (Between DAC3 Units Fs<110 kHz) Any sample rate. |
+/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz |
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Maximum Lock Time after Fs change |
6 ms |
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Soft Mute Ramp Up/Down Time |
9.6 ms |
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Mute on Receive Error |
Yes |
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Mute on Lock Error |
Yes |
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Mute on Idle Channel |
No |
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50/15 us De-Emphasis Enable |
Automatic in Consumer Mode |
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De-Emphasis Method |
Digital IIR |
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De-Emphasis Supported at |
Fs = 32, 44.1, 48 kHz |
Group Delay (Latency)
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Delay – Digital Input to Analog Output (function of sample rate)
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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 |
Balanced Analog Outputs
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Number of Balanced Analog Outputs |
2 |
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Output Connector |
Gold-Pin Neutrik™ male XLR |
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Output Impedance |
60 Ohms (Attenuator off) 425 Ohms (Attenuator = 10 dB) 135 Ohms (Attenuator = 20 dB) |
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Analog Output Clip Point |
+30 dBu |
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Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS) |
+24 dBu (Attenuator off) |
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Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. 96 kHz) |
< +/- 0.006 dB |
Unbalanced Analog Outputs
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Number of Unbalanced Analog Outputs |
2 |
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Output Connector |
RCA |
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Output Impedance |
30 Ohms |
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Analog Output Clip Point |
+13.5 dBu (3.7 Vrms) |
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Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS) |
+8.2 dBu (2 Vrms) |
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Output Level Variation with Sample Rate |
< +/- 0.006 dB |
Status Display
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Indicators - Type and Location |
12 LED’s on Front Panel |
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Selection/Status Indication |
1 – Control Lock 5 – Input 2 – Word length 4 – Sample Rate |
AC Power Requirements
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Nominal Input Operating Voltage Range (VAC RMS) |
100 – 240V |
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Frequency |
50-60 Hz |
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Power |
< 0.5 Watts Idle |
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Fuses |
5 x 20 mm (2 required) |
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Min/Max Operating range (VAC RMS) |
90 – 260 VAC |
Dimensions
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Form Factor |
½ Rack Wide, 1 RU High |
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Depth behind front panel |
216 mm |
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Overall depth including connectors but without power cord |
237 mm |
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Width |
249 mm |
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Height |
44.5 mm |
Weight
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DAC3 only |
1.3 kg |
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DAC3 with remote control, power cord, extra fuses, and manual |
1.8 kg |
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Shipping weight |
3.1 kg |
Important Features
- Sample Rate Display
- Word Length Display
- 5 Digital Inputs
- 2 Stereo Analog 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
