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I am wondering what are the differences between the Benchmark DAC1 and the DAC1 USB, besides the obvious USB connection and the price tag. I read Elias mentioning several upgrades in the most recent versions of the DAC1 but I don't know if these modifications apply to both DAC1 and DAC1 or to the DAC1 USB only.
I'm not questioning the DAC1 here. I'm questioning people who feel they need MORE than the DAC1's built-in headphone amplifier (assuming the HPA2 itself isn't overkill). I'd guess they're simply altering the FR in some way that they find enjoyable, if it isn't placebo effect. I don't think that's necessarily "wrong," but I think it could be done a lot more cheaply.
Again, I don't have much knowledge of the subject, and I'd like someone to explain if I'm wrong.
You realize where you are? This is HEAD-FI ..the need is the the question..it's the want!.
You realize where you are? This is HEAD-FI ..the need is the the question..it's the want!.
Haha, yes... I didn't mean "need" in the general sense, but "need for the purpose of accurate audio reproduction," which may or may not even be a "want."
I am wondering what are the differences between the Benchmark DAC1 and the DAC1 USB, besides the obvious USB connection and the price tag. I read Elias mentioning several upgrades in the most recent versions of the DAC1 but I don't know if these modifications apply to both DAC1 and DAC1 or to the DAC1 USB only.
Same here... I've been waiting for a comparison since little-endian's post (#964) about S/PDIF versus USB; the claim is that since the DAC1 reclocks, the type and quality of the digital input do not matter.
It's my understanding that the majority of "upgrades" took place around mid-2004, with some parts improvements here and there at later dates. But, the USB apparently has changeable gain, which allows you to tweak it for a certain pair of headphones (what euclid was talking about). If the default gain is too high, it could mean that the volume change between adjacent detents on the volume knob would be too large. With a lower gain, the knob could be turned further and with more resolution; smaller volume changes between detents.
Sorry I haven't been able to keep up with you...I've been pretty loaded-down with other work lately. Its good to have an escape to Head-Fi every now and then .
There are several features specifically on the DAC1 USB which are not available on the DAC1, and they are as follows:
- Selectable gain range for headphone amp
-- Lets you select the optimal range for your specific headphones so that the volume knob can be utilized more optimally
- Main output mutes upon headphone insertion (defeatable)
-- The analog outputs on the rear of the DAC1 USB will be muted when you insert the headphone plug if this feature is enabled. This lets you switch to headphones without having to manually shut-down your loudspeaker system.
- High-Current output drivers
-- These are new OpAmps that have just come out in the last year+/-. They sound identical to the DAC1 classic output drivers, but the difference is the XLR and RCA outputs can now drive longer cables and/or low-impedance inputs and/or high-capacitance inputs without suffering loss in THD+N performance.
- Advanced USB Audio for true native, 96/24, bit-transparent playback
-- No drivers or configuration necessary...plug it in and immediately get bit-transparency at rates up to and including 96/24
- Auto-standby mode
-- When the selected digital input no longer sees digital signal (or non-compatible digital signal), the DAC1 will begin 'Standby' mode.
- Auto-standby mode
-- When the selected digital input no longer sees digital signal (or non-compatible digital signal), the DAC1 will begin 'Standby' mode.
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as I see it, this is the only extra feature of the USB version that I would benefit from, using the DAC1 directly plugged in a power amplifier (no long cables involved), and being fed by a SB3. Am I missing something here?
If you don't use headphones, the first two won't mean much to you. And if you don't use a computer as a source, then you won't benefit from the USB interface.
Depending on input impedance and capacitance of your amp, you may benefit from the high-current output drivers.
Depending on input impedance and capacitance of your amp, you may benefit from the high-current output drivers.
Are high-current output drivers at least as good as low-current for ALL power amps? Or does which is best depend on the amp? Thanks!
you're doing such a great educative job here Olivier
Are high-current output drivers at least as good as low-current for ALL power amps? Or does which is best depend on the amp? Thanks!
you're doing such a great educative job here Olivier
The first thing you said is right.
Basically, the difference is that the output drivers of the DAC1 USB will perform exactly the same as the DAC1 drivers, except when the load is challenging. Examples of a challenging load is high capacitance or low impedance. These require circuit configurations which draw a lot of current from the output drivers. When a lot of current is being drawn from drivers, it risks an increase of distortion. The output drivers on the DAC1 USB will handle these high-current situations very gracefully without suffering significant distortion.
Elias, I have a few questions about my new DAC1. If they've already been answered, please refer me to the page number.
1. Do all the outputs measure as flat in frequency response as the DAC itself? I'm specifically interested in the HPA2, of course.
2. Concerning 24-bit playback from the DAC1 manual: "The reason is that digital volume controls and digital mixers increase the word-length of the audio." Does this still apply if I have the volume at 100% and no EQ or effects applied, using Windows Vista? Are there no other advantages to 24-bit upsampling with the DAC1, or is this just referring to settings within the operating system?
USB versus plain vanilla version
.
Olivier
Linear Mode
