Benchmark DAC1 USB

What can you say about the DAC1 that hasn't already been said, reviewed, blogged about and enthused over already? On its release it set new standards of resolution and neutrality, and for many it remains the sonic benchmark by which other DACs are judged – usually for the worse. Audiophile digital-to-analog conversion begins right here.

To the specification of the DAC-1, the USB version adds a 24-bit compatible USB input stage, upgraded LM4562 op-amps in the output stage, selectable gain for the headphone amplifier, auto-mute built into the headphone jack and an auto standby feature.

The DAC1 is a reference-quality, 2-channel 192-kHz 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converter featuring Benchmark’s UltraLock™ technology. The DAC1 is designed for maximum transparency and is well suited for critical playback in studio control rooms and in mastering rooms. A compact and rugged enclosure makes the DAC1 an excellent choice for location recording, broadcast facilities, and mobile trucks. The internal power supply supports all international voltages and has generous margins for over and under voltage conditions. Two ¼” headphone jacks are driven with Benchmark’s new HPA2™ headphone amplifier. The HPA2™ is a high-current amplifier that is capable of driving a wide variety of headphone loads while achieving less than 0.0003% distortion under load.

The original DAC1 features coaxial and optical inputs only, but can be used as a passive preamp to drive one or more power amps directly over XLR balanced or single-ended RCA/Phono outputs. The DAC1 is available in black or silver.

If/when you are impressed by the DAC1, we can also recommend the Audiocom upgrades that focus on improvements to the output stage, voltage regulation and power supply, as well as noise filtering, EM/RF shielding and installation of Bybee quantum purifiers.

“The Benchmark DAC1 is a serious, top performing DAC . . . to appreciate how good the DAC-1 is you have to consider the money you would have to spend to achieve this level of sound only a few years ago. The DAC’s ability to paint a true picture of the sound is near unwavering from disc to disc, the scale of sound belies its size..” – Audiocom

"The Benchmark DAC 1 is, in my experience, the lowest-priced piece of digital gear that can give sonic performance that is not just improved mid-fi, but genuinely high-end. There are less-expensive . . . solutions, but I think that the Benchmark (and anything else with similar performance) is at the watershed point—unquestionably among the hills that lead to the highest peaks.." – Stereophile (Editor's Choice)

"When a component makes few mistakes it can be said to have very little 'sound' of its own -- precisely how the DAC1 performs. What more needs to be said about something that’s basically transparent?
   The DAC1 . . . delivers the kind of performance that makes it right at home in even the finest high-end audio systems. In fact, the DAC1 is so good that you might hear it and wonder if you need to spend more . . . .
   The DAC1 plugged straight into Paradigm Reference Active/40 speakers produced the cleanest and clearest presentation I’ve heard – ever. The sound was so transparent, in fact, that some listeners might object to it as being "too clean." Because the sound was so immediate it was obvious that a system like this could be used as a tool for analyzing recordings -- it’s that precise. There are systems I’ve heard retailing for several times the price of this one that don’t have nearly the same levels of precision and resolution.
   Every recording I played through the Active/40-based system shared the same attributes: startling clarity from top to bottom of the frequency spectrum, high resolution that revealed great detail and always provided a tremendous sense of space, and cleanliness without any of the hash or edginess that are often associated with lower-cost digital.
   I can’t recommend that audiophiles spend more money on a DAC until they audition the Benchmark Media DAC1 in their own systems. It’s that good.” – Soundstage (Reviewers Choice)

• Two channel 24-bit, 192kHz conversion
• 52kHz analog bandwidth
• Direct connection to active monitors or power amplifiers
• 116dB signal to noise ratio
• THF+N = 107dB (0.00045%) measured at -3dBFS, any sample rate, any test frequency
• Jitter immunity via UltraLock technology
• AES, S/PDIF and Toslink optical inputs
• Balanced XLR outputs / Unbalanced RCA outputs
• Headphone amp = 0.0003% THD into 60 ohm
• Internal low radiation toroidal power supply
• Dimensions:
  237mm (D) x 249 mm (W) x 45mm (H)
• Weight: 1600g
  
• Available in black or silver
• 12 month UK warranty

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