- Features
- Specification
- Related Products
Features
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
- Hybrid Gain Control
- 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 = +27 dBu |
128 dB |
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SNR – Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +27 dBu |
126 dB |
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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 |
Digital Audio Inputs
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Number of Digital Inputs (switch selected) |
5 (1 USB, 2 Optical, 2 Coaxial) |
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Number of Channels |
2 |
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Input Sample Frequency Range |
28 to 210 kHz (Coaxial Inputs) 28 to 96 kHz (Optical Inputs) 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz (USB Input) |
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Maximum Input Word Length |
24 bits |
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Digital Input Impedance |
75 Ohms (Coaxial Inputs) |
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DC Blocking Capacitors on Digital Inputs |
Yes (Coaxial Inputs) |
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Transient and Over-Voltage Protection on Digital Inputs |
Yes (Coaxial Inputs) |
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Minimum Digital Input Level |
250 mVpp (Coaxial Inputs) |
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Jitter Tolerance (With no Measurable Change in Performance)
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>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 kHz |
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Jitter Attenuation Method |
Benchmark UltraLock3™ - all inputs |
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 Set Bypass Level (at 0 dBFS) |
+24 dBu (Attenuator = 0 dB) |
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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) |
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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 |
4 |
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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 Set Home Theater Bypass Output Level (at 0 dBFS) |
+8.2 dBu (2 Vrms) |
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Output Level Range (with 0 dBFS digital input) |
Off to +11.7 dBu (3 Vrms) |
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Output Level Variation with Sample Rate |
< +/- 0.006 dB |
Status Display
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Indicators - Type and Location |
16 LED’s on Front Panel |
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Selection/Status Indication |
1 – Dim/Mute 1 - Polarity |
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 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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