Benchmark DAC1 now available with USB - Page 105

USB x ASIO

I have my DAC1 USB for quite some time now. I'm using WinXP SP2 + Winamp + ASIO output + ESI Juli@ (soundcard) + SPDIF + DAC1.

I've found that it's clearly better then using the DAC1 driver + DirectSound. A friend of mine listened to both modes too and, without me saying anything, agreed. Sure, I've read the wiki, disabled EQ and volume, but still.

The native ASIO path is simply better than DirectSound.

Any thoughts?

Yes, it was a blind test. The difference is quite obvious.

I don't know what the smiley implies. My best guess is that you assumed the difference you heard in a sighted test is so obvious that you're certain you'd hear it in a blind test, and didn't actually bother to do it.
But I don't know you so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
How did you make the test blind? Who was switching the software audio path?

Do you want me to shoot a video to prove it to you or what?
Let's focus on the problem itself, shall we?

ASIO bypasses Windows' kmixer. DirectSound does not. Knowing that kmixer messes up with the sound, how on earth is the Benchmark USB driver supposed to sound the same as the native ASIO path?

Don't get me wrong, I payed 300 bucks more to have this feature, I'd really WANT it to be as clear as my ASIO output... But it simply is not.

Matias,

Maybe a better test would be to do this and it's merly software:

WinAmp->DirectSount->USB input DAC1
WinAmp->ASIO->USB input DAC1

Beacuse if the sound card has a driver it may in it self discard the kmixer for it's own code.

The above example would prove if you hear the difference and considering how much rederact there is on the KMIXER... I am sure you will.

Thanks
Gordon

Benchmark has moved!!

Hello Head-Fi people!!

I'm pleased to announce that Benchmark Media Systems has moved to a brand new facility (and I mean brand new...my office window still has the sticker on it!! ). We are still in Syracuse...in fact, we are less then a mile from a previous facility.

I'm sorry I haven't been participating in the discussions here lately. The whole moving process was quite consuming. But, alas, we are up and running, and now I look forward to continuing these discussions with you all.

Thanks!!
Elias

G-U-E-S-T,

The DAC1 PRE is able to drive all 4 outputs (RCA L; RCA R; XLR L; XLR R)simultaneously without any loss in performance whatsoever.

The only thing that you will need to take into account is that the RCA outputs have different output levels then the XLR outputs. Therefore, you may need to calibrate the input sensitivity of your subwoofer amp to get the appropriate output level.

Let me know if you need help with this.

Thanks,
Elias

Welcome back Elias.

I'd still like to know if the DAC1 has any DC offset at the outputs, both balanced and unbalanced, when you finish moving into your new office

Gordon,

Thanks for your answer.
The ASIO plug-in, or any other ASIO application, works only with ASIO-compatible drivers. Benchmark DAC1's is not an ASIO-compatible driver, therefore it doesn't show as an option for me to select.


If Benchmark could release an ASIO-compatible driver, it would solve the problem.
But then they couldn't advertise it as being plug-n-play anymore...

The DC offset on any active output pin is on the order of 0.0005 V, or half a millivolt. When the attenuators are engaged on the XLR outputs, the DC offset is attenuated like-wise. In other words, if the 20 dB attenuators are engaged, the DC offset will be reduced by 20 dB or 90%. Therefore, the 0.5 millivolts will become 0.05 millivolts.

Thanks,
Elias

Matias,

There is a free ASIO "wrap-around" that will enable ASIO-operation with the DAC1 USB. It is called ASIO4ALL. It allows you to interface the DAC1 USB to ASIO applications.

Thanks,
Elias

Edited by EliasGwinn - 8/3/11 at 1:08pm

There are both 50-ohm and 75-ohm consumer-grade cables. Cheap cables will have wider tolerances. In other words, they may be anywhere from 65-85 ohm. Professional cables usually have tighter precision. We use (and sell) Canare and Mogami cable and connectors, as they are manufactured very well.

However, don't hesitate to use consumer grade 75-ohm RCA cables. They will introduce more jitter, but the UltraLock system will make any jitter a moot point.

Thanks,
Elias

It should be noted that there is nothing magical or special about the ASIO protocol for sending data to an audio device's driver...using it simply enables users to bypass the Windows kmixer when using an audio application. One could also use KernalStreaming to achieve the same result as using ASIO. The advantage to KernalStreaming (assuming it is supported by the sound device's driver) is that it does not require some Windows add-on like ASIO4ALL.

Please note than in Windows Vista kmixer has changed dramatically (and has been renamed to something else as a result...sorry I'm not sure what the new name is) and is no longer an audio quality compromise when it is part of the audio data chain. In other words, using ASIO or KernalStreaming in Windows Vista does not seem to provide any improvement over just using DirectSound (unlike in Windows XP, where using DirectSound output seems to have an audible effect on sound quality).

Matias,

You can use generic ASIO drivers from:

ASIO4ALL: ASIO4ALL - Universal ASIO Driver
ASIO2KS: ASIO2KS - Generic ASIO driver for WDM soundcards.

These will let you use the DAC1 USB with ASIO and determine your output better.

Thanks
Gordon