A NEW REFERENCE - GOING BEYOND THE LEGENDARY DAC1 AND DAC2

The DAC3 is Benchmark's newest 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 converter.

Benchmark's DAC1 and DAC2 D/A converter families have been the reference to which other converters have been compared. It is rare to find a converter review that does not draw comparisons to the DAC1 or the DAC2. Benchmark converters are in daily use at many of the world's finest recording studios and mastering rooms. Benchmark converters are also enjoyed by thousands of audiophiles. Benchmark has raised the bar again ... the DAC3 defines a new reference.

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 VS. DAC2

The DAC3builds upon Benchmark’s highly successful DAC2 product family. The DAC3 maintains the familiar DAC2 form factor and feature set, but adds the higher performance available from the new ES9028PRO D/A converter. The DAC3 offers the following improvements over the DAC2:

Active 2nd Harmonic Compensation
Active 3rd Harmonic Compensation
Lower THD+N
Lower passband ripple
Improved frequency response
Faster PLL lock times
Faster switching between input signals

DAC3 VS. DAC1

The DAC3 and DAC2 added these features that were not found on the DAC1:

Asynchronous 192kHz USB Audio 2.0
32-bit D/A conversion system
Word Length Display
Sample Rate Display
Polarity Control
Direct DSD D/A Conversion
-20 dB DIM
Bi-Directional 12V Trigger
Power Switch with Auto-On Function
Home Theater Bypass
Digital Pass-Through
High-Headroom DSP
Dual-Domain Hybrid Gain Control
Additional I/O

NATIVE DSD CONVERSION

All digital inputs on the DAC3 support native 192 kHz PCM or DSD64 conversion. From any input, DSD is transported with bit accuracy over DoP 1.1. DSD and PCM are both natively converted to analog. There are no DSD to PCM or PCM to DSD conversions to compromise the quality of the music. The DAC3conversion system seamlessly switches between native PCM and native DSD conversion. DSD over DoP 1.1 is supported by many media players, and DSD downloads are now available from several sources.

DIRECT CONNECTIVITY TO POWER AMPLIFIERS

Benchmark DAC1, DAC2, and DAC3 converters are designed to directly drive power amplifiers and speakers. Benchmark converters feature adjustable low-impedance passive attenuators at the XLR outputs that can be used to optimize the interface to the power amplifier (or powered monitor). This unique Benchmark feature optimizes the gain staging between the DAC and the power amplifier. Proper gain staging cannot be overemphasized. When audio stages are properly matched, each component in the audio chain is able to operate at its optimum signal level, and the system performance is significantly improved.

SONICALLY-NEUTRAL STUDIO MONITORING

All Benchmark converters are designed for maximum transparency. This transparency is absolutely essential in the studio monitoring chain. For this reason, DAC3 converters are ideal for critical reference-quality professional systems. Unlike many competing products, the DAC3 is not designed to add "euphonic" coloration to the audio. Instead it is designed to be as uncolored and natural as possible.

STEP INTO THE STUDIO

When Benchmark's professional converters are used in hi-fi applications, studio-quality sound can be enjoyed in a home environment. Enjoy pure music without any coloration from the electronics. Hear the music exactly the way it was heard in the studio, and exactly the way the artists intended.

Discover the natural, uncolored, analog sound of the DAC3.

SIT IN THE PERFORMANCE SPACE

Transparent sound can go beyond replicating the studio experience. Recordings that have been produced with a natural and unprocessed sound can transport you to the performance space. But, this can only happen when the entire playback chain is selected for maximum transparency.

This experience of "being there" cannot be created by systems that are designed to add "warmth" or "euphonic color" to the music.

AUDIO PERFORMANCE
Fs = 44.1 to 96 kHz, 20 to 20 kHz BW, 1 kHz test tone, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu (unless noted)
SNR – A-Weighted, 0 dBFS = +27 dBu	128 dB
SNR – Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +27 dBu	126 dB
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 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
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 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
Inter-channel Differential Phase (Between DAC3 Units Fs<110 kHz) Any sample rate.	+/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz
Maximum Lock Time after Fs change	6 ms
Soft Mute Ramp Up/Down Time	9.6 ms
Mute on Receive Error	Yes
Mute on Lock Error	Yes
Mute on Idle Channel	No
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	28 to 210 kHz (Coaxial Inputs) 28 to 96 kHz (Optical Inputs) 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz (USB Input)
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, 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 Set Bypass Level (at 0 dBFS)	+24 dBu (Attenuator = 0 dB)
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 Set Home Theater Bypass Output Level (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^TM 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 15 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
Driverless Asynchronous USB 1.1
Home Theater Bypass
Bi-Directional 12 Volt Trigger
Power Switch
Low Power Consumption
ES9028PRO Converter

MANUAL

Detailed specifications and performance plots are available in the downloadable manual.

DAC3 Series Manual

DESIGNED, ASSEMBLED, AND TESTED IN THE USA

This Benchmark product was designed, assembled, and tested in the USA using USA and imported components. Most major components are made in USA.