Benchmark DAC1 now available with USB - Page 90

Elias,

Thank you for clarify that.
I was confused

Thanks Elias. I have more reading to do but your post was very informative.

Replay Gain - Calibration

RG is utilized by J. River, and I have it set to playback files at this target 83db so I'm trying to compensate for that reduction in gain with the trim pots:

wow.. that's helpful for me too! thanks!

I just read through this entire thread and it's been very informing. Particularly the discussion on the problems with 192khz audio. I was looking at a number of DAC upgrades, but I think the benchmark might well be the one for me - jitter rejection is useful for someone who uses cheapo toslinks out of a computer and I really like to see manufacturers listen to what the end consumer thinks of their product.
Unfortunately for the moment at least my student loan says otherwise... Until I muster the pennies from busking (or find one on ebay) I'm trying to make the best of what I've got - I'm currently running the monitor outs from an mbox 2 into my headphone amp (a GS green solo), is this 'bad' - as in will this mismatch impedances? If so will I be getting a response shift or worse damaging anything? I'm running the output on the mbox cranked, in theory for a low S/N ratio (I figure the pot may just be an attenuator), but the mbox draws power off usb (eek). Fortunately nothing else does on my imac, and its usb power seems to be comparatively sturdy. Have I got this set up 'best'?

USB Device not recognized.

Without getting overly complicated, all of a sudden on my Vista desktop computer I am getting the error "USB Device not recognized".
The DAC has been working fine for the last few months. I was using kernel streaming with foobar2000. Over the weekend I changed my heatsink and fan.
Plugged everything back in. When I went to listen today, I was getting dropouts etc. I though maybe the DAC1 needs to be in a different USB port where it was working flawlessly before. I tried a different port and I got the error.
I put it back into the same port and same error.

I even plugged the DAC1 on my XP laptop and again same error.

I have no idea why this might be the case and find myself suddenly frustrated.

If anyone else has experience this problem or knows what might be going on, please let me know.

Also, I should add, that I have the headroom Desktop Portable with USB DAC functionality and it is still working fine on both the desktop and my notebook.
When I connect it I get the "USB Audio Device"

When the DAC1 was working, I would see something like "installed benchmark 1.0" or something after I plugged in the usb cable. Now all of a sudden it is always "USB device not recognized".

Thanks

-- Sanjay

Sanjay,

This is a very interesting phenomenon. It sounds like the DAC1's USB output chip may have gotten a power surge from the USB line and fried it.

I'll PM you and we can discuss this further...

Thanks,
Elias

Great. Surge protectors for AC lines, then were had to start protecting telephone lines before entering the computer, now USB?

Never used the DAC1 USB but I'm guessing it has its own power supply and like any other piece of expensive a/v equipment should be protected; not scolding but trying to point out the difference between USB and AC. Did you possibly leave the power supply switch on (on your PC) and when you closed up your PC after working on it, inserted the power cord, and sent a surge into through the open switch? even though the DAC1 may have been on at the time, maybe the surge traveled down the usb cable. I fail to see how you could protect against other than protecting the PC itself or associated eqp. from surges.



DC

For the record, I don't know if there was a power surge on the USB port. It was more of a thought-out-loud (...which has a sense of permanence when written on the internet ).

I have not heard of power surges damaging equipment on the USB. I don't know if it is actually the case.

I have arranged a warranty repair with the poster, and we will find out what the issue is.

Thanks,
Elias

What's the opinion on using the DAC 1 running straight into a power amp (quad 306) - would I be better off with the higher current of the DAC1 USB? I'd be using the RCAs/unbalanced.

When I changed the heat-sink and fan on my pc, everything was unplugged and disconnected off course and I took the pc to the kitchen table where I made the change.

Afterwards, I put it back in place under my desk, plugged everything in and powered it back on (no different from as if I had shut down the computer and powered it on). This was last Friday. Last night I went to listen to some music using headphones via the DAC and it was playing fine except for some dropouts type of thing. I just tried to change the port the DAC was plugged into and that's when the problem started.

My PC and a couple of devices are plugged into a UPS and the DAC1 and other items are plugged into an APC surge suppressor.

I've tried 3 different usb cables, 3 computers, 2 AC outlets and always the same problem.

I've also ruled out a software issue as my other two USB DACs: Headroom desktop portable and Stello DA220 MKII are recognized and work fine.

-- Sanjay

Surge protectors on USB? Why not.

My old computer died when the PSU shorted between the high and low voltage sides. EVERY card inside, along with the motherboard, and all drives, got fried.

Hey,

I am new to these boards, and new to high end audio in general. Anyway, hopefully someone can help me out.

I am looking to buy an external DAC, and have been looking at a Benchmark DAC1 non-USB model. I am also interested in a Stello DA100 usb dac.

Now, the only reason I would favor the Stello over the DAC1 is because of the USB input, but I am not sure which would deliver better quality: SPDIF or USB?

I would be running SPDIF out from an M-Audio Audiophile 192 internal sound card. Would this deliver better quality than connecting a Stello DA100 via usb?

Thanks, in advance, for the advice.

New to Benchmark and new to this forum

I have recently bought a Benchmark usb dac and have been listening to it with my WMP11 for a week and I am overwhelmed at it's sonic excellence. Ripped cd's playback from either hard drive or flash drive as wav files are very very good. I am a satisfied customer, thank you Benchmark. However I am not a pc/IT type person. I get by but just barely. I am an audiophile.

When I tried to listen to some 24/96 files off of Linn website or other sources I get an error message from my pc indicating I don't have 24/96 capability. Question what's the easiest way to get/download 24/96 codecs that are compatible with WMP11? I really don't want foobar or other sophisticated programs because I love the user friendliness of WMP11 and it's Library functionality.

The benchmark dac1 is not affected by the common problems with spdif as it totally resists jitter with some clever proprietary technology. For that reason you can use any kind of connection you like and have no problems. Probably the number one reason I'm thinking of skimping on food for a little while to save up for one...