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Instruction Manual
Fuses
CAUTION: FOR CONTINUED FIRE
HAZARD PROTECTION ALWAYS REPLACE
THE FUSES WITH THE CORRECT SIZE
AND TYPE (0.5A 250 V SLO-BLO® 5 X 20
MM – LITTELFUSE® HXP218.500 OR
EQUIVALENT).
Black
Silver
Black Rack-Mount
USB, XLR balanced, BNC coaxial, and TOSLINK optical digital inputs
Compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems without driver installation
-10 dBV unbalanced RCA analog outputs, +13.5 dBu maximum output level
High-current output drivers for driving the most difficult loads without sonic degradation
In Calibrated mode, levels are set by 10-turn trimmers (20 dB Range, 2 dB/turn)
XLR outputs are preset to +4dBu at 0 dBFS in Calibrated mode (20-dB Pad enabled)
RCA outputs are preset to +2 Vrms (8.2 dBu) at 0 dBFS in Calibrated mode
Headphone jack 1 mutes XLR and RCA outputs (feature may be disabled)
Automatic Standby Mode – activated after 15 seconds of loss of digital input signal
THD+N = -107 dB, 0.00045% @ -3 dBFS input, -105 dB, 0.00056% @ 0 dBFS input
Automatic de-emphasis in response to consumer pre-emphasis bit (44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz)
115 V, 230 V, 50-60 Hz international power supply with very wide operating range
Low radiation toroidal power transformer significantly reduces hum and line related interference
Jitter-Immune UltraLock™
The Benchmark UltraLock™ system is nearly
Direct Interfacing to Power
100% jitter-immune. The D/A conversion Amplifiers
clock is isolated from the input digital audio The DAC1 USB is designed to interface
clock in a topology that outperforms two- directly to power amps and powered studio
stage PLL designs. In fact, no jitter-induced monitors in order to provide the cleanest and
artifacts can be detected using an Audio shortest path from the digital source to the
Precision System 2 Cascade test set. monitor output. This often results in a
Measurement limits include detection of substantial improvement in sound quality.
artifacts as low as -140 dBFS, application of
jitter amplitudes as high as 12.75 unit 10, 20, and 30 dB pads are provided for
intervals (UI) and application of jitter over a interfacing directly to monitors and amplifiers
frequency range of 2 Hz to 200 kHz. that often have too much input sensitivity to
handle high-level (+29 dBu) signal levels.
Any signal that can be decoded by the USB or
AES/EBU receivers will be reproduced without
the addition of any measurable jitter artifacts. High-Current Output Drivers
The AES/EBU receiver IC has been selected The DAC1 USB features new high-current
for its ability to accurately recover data in the output drivers that are capable of driving
presence of very high jitter levels. 300-Ohm loads without an increase in
distortion. They are also well suited for
driving long cables or high-capacitance loads.
HPA2™ Headphone Amplifier
Two ¼” headphone jacks are driven by the ‘Audio-Always’ Design
HPA2™ - Benchmark’s signature high-
current, 0-Ohm headphone amplifier. The Philosophy
HPA2™ is capable of delivering the full The DAC1 USB is designed to perform
performance of the DAC1 USB into the gracefully in the presence of errors and
difficult loading presented by headphones. interruptions at the digital audio inputs. A
The HPA2™ maintains less than 0.0003% soft mute circuit eliminates pops when a
THD+N under full load. digital signal is applied. Power management
circuitry controls the muting and resetting of
all digital circuits upon removal and
Mute Function application of power. Audio is present at the
The left-hand headphone jack includes a outputs only 60 ms after applying a digital
switch that mutes the XLR and RCA analog input signal and only 500 ms after applying
outputs when a headphone plug is inserted. power to the unit.
This mute feature can be disabled with
internal jumpers. The DAC1 USB is designed to avoid all
unnecessary mute scenarios. Muting is only
enabled upon loss of power, or when digital
Volume Control transmission errors occur. The DAC1 USB
does not mute when the input data is all
The front-panel Volume Control sets the
zeros. Consequently, no audio is lost when
output level of the headphone jacks. It can
an audio transient follows full silence.
also be used to control the output level of the
Furthermore, the DAC1 USB signal-to-noise
balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog
specifications represent the true system
outputs. A rear-panel switch selects
Volume Control
HPA2TM Stereo Headphone The front-panel Volume Control is a 41-
Jacks detent potentiometer (see ‘Volume Control
Curve’ in the ‘Performance Graphs’ section of
There are two stereo headphone jacks. The
this manual).
left-hand jack is equipped with a switch that
mutes the XLR and RCA analog outputs when The Volume Control always controls the
a headphone plug is inserted. The right-hand output level of the headphone jacks. It can
jack has no switch. This gives the user the also be used to control the output levels of
option of muting the analog outputs when the balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog
using headphones. Internal jumpers are outputs when the rear-panel Output Level
available to disable the headphone switch. Switch is set to Variable.
TIP: Use the left-hand jack when you The XLR outputs have jumper-enabled pads
want to mute your playback system and that can be used to optimize the gain
just listen to headphones. Use the right- structure of the playback system.
hand jack when you need to keep all
outputs active. TIP: For optimal L/R balance, and
minimal noise, the XLR gain jumpers
The dual jacks also allow two listeners to should be set so that comfortable
monitor and compare notes on what is heard. listening levels occur when the ‘Volume
We recommend using identical headphones Control’ is set above the 10th detent.
because headphone sensitivities can differ
significantly. The Volume Control adjusts Instructions for setting the XLR pads are
the level at both jacks. detailed in the ‘Internal Settings’ section of
this manual. The DAC1 USB is shipped with
Because of the variations in headphone the XLR attenuation set to -20 dB.
sensitivity, the DAC1 USB features two gain
ranges for the headphone outputs. Our
Input 3 – Optical
The optical input connector is manufactured
by Toshiba and is commonly known as a
TOSLINK connector. The TOSLINK optical
connector used on the DAC1 USB is designed
to work well at sample rates up to 192 kHz.
Maximum word length is 24-bits. All sample
rates between 28 and 195 kHz are supported.
The DAC1 USB has two unbalanced RCA TIP: If the DAC1 USB is being used in a
outputs and two balanced XLR outputs. critical signal chain (such as a broadcast
facility or theater) the headphone mute
The DAC1 USB features new high-current switch should be defeated using the
output drivers that are capable of driving internal jumpers. See ‘Internal Settings’
300-Ohm loads without an increase in for instructions.
distortion. They are also well suited for
driving long cables or high-capacitance loads.
Balanced XLR Analog Line
Note: The XLR and RCA output levels are Outputs
controlled by the Volume Control level when
the Output Level Switch is set to variable. The Left and Right balanced outputs use
Otherwise the levels are set by the 10-turn Neutrik™ gold-pin male XLR jacks. The XLR
calibration trimmers located on the rear shell and pin 1 (ground) are both directly
panel. bonded to the chassis to prevent currents in
the internal ground systems. This direct
The XLR outputs are equipped with low- bonding also maximizes RF shielding.
impedance passive output attenuators that
can be set at 0 dB, -10 dB, -20 dB, or -30 dB The XLR output levels may be controlled from
to allow interfacing to a wide variety of audio the front panel, or may be set to fixed levels
devices without any loss of dynamic range. using the rear-panel Calibration Trimmers.
CAUTION: Do not set the ‘Output Level XLR pin 2 = + Audio Out
Switch’ to ‘Calibrated’ if you are directly
XLR pin 3 = - Audio Out
driving a power amplifier or powered
speakers. The ‘Calibrated’ setting XLR pin 1 = Cable Shield
produces an output that is near full-
volume and may damage your speakers. CAUTION: If the balanced XLR outputs
are wired to an unbalanced input (using
Calibrated (UP) – Analog output levels are a special adapter cable), pin 3 must be
controlled by 10-turn rear-panel trim controls. left floating. Shorting pin 3 to ground
will increase the temperature of the
Note: The XLR pads do not have any effect Output Maximum Loss in dB
on the level of the RCA outputs. Impedance Cable (ft) at 20 kHz
30 1360 0.1
The RCA output impedance is very low (30
Ohms). This makes these outputs well suited
for driving high-capacitance loads and/or
high-capacitance cables. TIP: To set the XLR outputs to typical
professional studio levels, set the pads
TIP: The RCA outputs are capable of to 0 dB, and set the ‘Output Level Switch’
driving cables as long as 1360 feet (see to ‘Calibrated’. If the factory settings of
Table 1). But, long un-balanced cables the ‘Calibration Trimmers’ have not been
will generally suffer from hum problems changed, the XLR outputs will be
due to ground loops. We highly calibrated to +4 dBu at -20 dBFS, and the
recommend using balanced RCA outputs will be calibrated to -10 dBV
interconnects for long runs. at -16 dBFS.
Headphone Performance
The above graphs show the frequency response of the DAC1 when it is operating at a 48-kHz
sample rate. The top graph shows that the differential phase is better than ± 0.5º at 20 kHz. The
bottom graph shows the amplitude response on a highly expanded 0.05 dB/division scale. The
amplitude response is down by only 0.22 dB at 20 kHz. The bass response extends well below the
10-Hz limitation of the measurement equipment.
The above graphs show the frequency response of the DAC1 when it is operating at a 96-kHz
sample rate. The top graph shows that the differential phase is better than ± 0.5º at 20 kHz and
better than ± 1º at 43 kHz. The bottom graph shows the amplitude response on a highly
expanded 0.05 dB/division scale. The amplitude response is down by only 0.22 dB at 20 kHz and
only –1 dB at 43 kHz. The bass response extends well below the 10-Hz limitation of the
measurement equipment.
The above graph demonstrates that the DAC1 is free from idle tones and clock crosstalk. The
highest spurious tone measures –128 dBFS and is AC line related hum. The highest non-line
related tone measures –138 dBFS.
Any combination of DAC1 and DAC1 USB converters may be used to create a multi-channel
playback system that maintains phase accuracy across all channels at sample rates up to 110 kHz.
The above graph shows the differential phase between 10 audio channels using 5 DAC1 converters
operating at 96 kHz. The DAC1 converters were chosen from stock at random, and measurements
were made using a random combination of Coaxial, XLR, and Optical inputs. The type of digital
interface used has no measurable effect on the phase. Please note that no reference or
synchronization cables are required to create a phase accurate multi-channel playback system
using DAC1 converters at sample rates up to 110 kHz.
The above graphs demonstrate that the THD+N specifications for the DAC1 are not frequency
dependent (the variation from 20 Hz to 20 kHz is very slight). Note that at worst case, the
distortion is 109 dB less than the – 3 dBFS test tone (and 112 dB less than the full scale output of
the DAC1). This implies that the distortion created by the DAC1 should be below the threshold of
hearing unless playback levels exceed 112 dB peak SPL. Distortion should still be well masked at
higher playback levels.
Below –4 dBFS, distortion is lower than the noise floor of the converter. Above –3 dBFS, distortion
reaches a maximum value of only –107 dBFS.
This graph shows the output of the HPA2™ headphone amp driving a 60-Ohm load at a very high
level (+14 dBu). Even under these conditions, the HPA2™ delivers the full rated performance of
the DAC1. Compare this to the performance of the balanced outputs (see previous graph).
This graph demonstrates the performance of the unbalanced outputs. Note that the performance is
nearly identical to that of the balanced outputs.
The above graph shows that the DAC1 provides consistent performance at all sample rates.
Distortion is not a function of sample rate. The minor variations in the above plots are due to
measurement limitations.
The graph above shows the results of a standard AES jitter tolerance test.
The top (red) curve shows the amplitude of the jitter applied to the inputs of the DAC1. The scale
for the top curve is on the right hand side of the graph and is calibrated in UI of jitter.
The bottom (green) curve shows the THD+N of the DAC1 as the jitter amplitude and frequency is
varied at the inputs of the DAC1. There is absolutely no change in the DAC1 THD+N
measurement over the entire range of jitter test frequencies and amplitudes. In fact, the DAC1
can tolerate much higher levels of jitter without any measurable change in performance (see the
next graph).
The above graph shows the results from the most severe jitter test that we could create with an
Audio Precision System 2 Cascade test set. We selected a 10-kHz audio test tone in order to
maximize the sensitivity of the test. We set the interface jitter amplitude to its maximum value of
12.75 UI (2075 ns) of jitter. We then swept the jitter frequency from 2 Hz to 9 kHz and plotted the
THD+N from the DAC1. Absolutely no change in THD+N was observed at any test frequency, and
the DAC1 performance did not change when the jitter was turned off. The same test was
conducted using FFT analysis to look for jitter-induced artifacts. No change was observed on a FFT
analysis (see the next graph).
The above FFT plots demonstrate that the performance of the DAC1 is not degraded in any way
when long cables are used to transmit digital audio to the DAC1.
The above graph shows that the performance of the DAC1 is not a function of the signal level at
the XLR digital input. When the signal is too low to decode (< 160 mVpp), the converter mutes
gracefully.
The above graph shows that the performance of the DAC1 is not a function of the signal level at
the coaxial digital input. When the signal is too low to decode (< 120 mVpp), the converter mutes
gracefully.
The above graph demonstrates that the DAC1 can operate with an eye pattern considerably
smaller than specified by the AES. In addition, the above plots show that while the AES minimum
eye pattern specifications are barely met at the end of 1000 feet of Category 5 UTP cable, the
DAC1 receivers have enough sensitivity to allow reliable operation. The jitter produced by this
connection is removed entirely by the Benchmark UltraLock™ clock circuits and the DAC1
operates at full-specified performance.
Volume Control
10.0
0.0
-10.0
-20.0
Gain (dB)
-30.0
-40.0
-50.0
-60.0
-70.0
-80.0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Rotation (Steps)
10
9
8
Step Size (dB/Step)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Rotation (Steps)
Audio Performance
Fs = 44.1 to 96 kHz, 20 to 20 kHz BW, 1 kHz test tone, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu (unless noted)
THD+N, 20 to 20 kHz test tone at –3 dBFS -110 dBFS, -107 dB, 0.00045%
-0.02 dB at 10 Hz
-0.20 dB at 20 kHz
-0.85 dB at 40 kHz
-2.5 dB at 45 kHz
-0.02 dB at 10 Hz
-0.20 dB at 20 kHz
-125 dB at 1 kHz
-130 dB at 20 Hz
Inter-channel Differential Phase (Between DAC1 USB +/- 0.5 degrees at 20 kHz
Units Fs<110 kHz)
Inter-channel Differential Phase (Between DAC1 USB +/- 4.1 degrees at 20 kHz
Units Fs>110 kHz)
2.01 ms at 48 kHz
Delay = 1.01 ms + (48/Fs)
1.55 ms at 88.2 kHz
1.51 ms at 96 kHz
Where Fs = the sample rate in Hz.
1.28 ms at 176.4 kHz
Number of Channels 2
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Calibrated’ Mode +9 to +29 dBu (Attenuator off)
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Variable’ Mode Off to +27 dBu (Attenuator off)
Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. < +/- 0.006 dB
96 kHz)
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Calibrated’ Mode -6 dBu to +13.5 dBu
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Variable’ Mode Off to +11 dBu
Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. < +/- 0.006 dB
96 kHz)
Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) into 60-Ohm Load Off to +21 dBu
Overload Protection (independent per channel) Current limited at 300 mA, Thermal
Status Display
Indicators - Type and Location 3 Blue LED’s on Front Panel
AC Power Requirements
Input Operating Voltage Range (VAC RMS) 110 V setting: 90 V min, 140 V max
220 V setting: 175 V min, 285 V max
Frequency 50-60 Hz
Fuses 5 x 20 mm (2 required)
0.5 A 250 V Slo-Blo® Type
Overall depth including connectors but without power 9.33” (237 mm)
cord or BNC-to-RCA adapter
Weight
DAC1 USB only 3.5 lb.
Rack mount kit (blank panel, junction block, and rack- 0.32 lb.
mount screws)
1. XLR Digital Input: Shielded 110-Ohm AES/EBU digital audio cable with connector shell
bonded to shield must be used.
2. BNC Digital Connections: Shielded 75-Ohm coaxial cable must be used.
NOTICE: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
As of July 01, 2006, All Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. products placed on the European Union
market are compliant (containing quantity limit weight less than or equal to 0.1% (1000 ppm)
of any homogeneous Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI), and flame
retardant Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) or Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)).
This warranty extends only to the original purchaser. This warranty does not apply to fuses,
lamps, batteries, or any products or parts that have been subjected to misuse, neglect,
accident, modification, or abnormal operating conditions.
In the event of failure of a product under this warranty, Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. will
repair, at no charge, the product returned to its factory. Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. may,
at its option, replace the product in lieu of repair. If the failure has been caused by misuse,
neglect, accident, or, abnormal operating conditions, repairs will be billed at the normal shop
rate. In such cases, an estimate will be submitting before work is started, if requested by the
customer.
Attempts to deliberately deface, mutilate, or remove the product's label will render this
warranty void. Any DAC1 USB returned from the European Union for warranty repair must have
the required RoHS logo on the product label; otherwise, repairs will be billed at the normal
shop rate. Benchmark will not honor warranties for any products disingenuously purchased on
the US or Canadian markets for sale outside the US or Canada.
The foregoing warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, including but not
limited to any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness or adequacy for any particular
purpose or use. Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. shall not be liable for any special, incidental,
or consequential damages, and reserves the right to charge this information without notice.
This limited warranty gives the consumer-owner specific legal rights, and there may also be
other rights that vary form state to state.
*For the extended warranty to become effective, the original purchaser must register the
product at the time of purchase either by way of the registration card or through the product
registration section of the Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. website. This optional warranty
applies only to products purchased within the US and Canada and is extended only to the
original purchaser.
Attempts to deliberately deface, mutilate, or remove the product's label will render this
warranty void. Benchmark will not honor warranties for any products disingenuously purchased
on the US or Canadian markets for export. The terms of the extended warranty are subject to
change without notice. For products purchased outside the US and Canada, please refer to the
Extended Two (2)** Year International Warranty.
**For the extended warranty to become effective, the original purchaser must register the
product at the time of purchase either by way of the registration card or through the product
registration section of the Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. website. This optional warranty
applies only to products purchased outside the US and Canada and is extended only to the
original purchaser.
Attempts to deliberately deface, mutilate, or remove the product's label will render this
warranty void. Benchmark will not honor warranties for any products disingenuously purchased
on the US or Canadian markets for export. The terms of the extended warranty are subject to
change without notice. For products purchased in within the US and Canada, please refer to the
Extended Five (5)* Year Warranty.
They must be shipped to Benchmark Media Systems prepaid and preferably in their original
shipping carton with the RMA number clearly visible on the exterior of the packaging. A letter
should be included giving full details of the difficulty.
CAUTION: The DAC1 USB contains static Default Digital Input (P2):
sensitive components and should only be
opened by qualified technicians. Static A 2-pin jumper on header P2 (see Photo 1)
discharge may cause component failures, can be used to choose an input source which
may affect the long-term reliability, or will be active upon each power-up.
may degrade the audio performance. Use
The 2-pin jumper sets the power-up default
a static control wrist strap when
input to:
changing jumper settings.
• USB Input *** (Jumper plug between pins
CAUTION: 1 and 2 of the header)
• Disconnect AC power by unplugging • Coaxial Input (Jumper plug between pins
the power cord at the back of the 3 and 4 of the header)
DAC1 USB. • XLR Input (Jumper plug between pins 5
• Remove only the 8 screws holding the and 6 of the header)
cover (4 on each side). • Optical Input (Jumper plug between pins 7
• Do not remove any screws on front or and 8 of the header)
rear panels. *** = Factory Default
• Never remove the power entry safety
cover in the rear corner of the DAC1
USB.
• Always connect a static-control wrist
strap to the chassis before touching
P2
any internal component.
1 2
3 4
Jumpers 5 6
The following functions are jumper 7 8
configured:
Photo 1 – Default Digital Input (P2)
• 10 dB Headphone Gain Reduction