Benchmark DAC1 now available with USB

[aCuria]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcf /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Elias, Some questions about the Benchmark HDR. Is the remote only for volume control? Can it switch sources? I couldn't find any details pictures on your website. Also, Are we still stuck with 1 analog source? People might want to know these before they make their decision.

from here,

Benchmark Media Unveils Their Flagship DAC1 HDR with Remote Control - Audio Server & MP3 Player News, News, Stereo Amplifier News, Stereo Preamplifier News - HomeTheaterReview.com

The remote control of the DAC1 HDR controls on/off, input selection, volume, soft-mute, and adjustable dim level. The user can adjust the "dim" volume setting and the "normal" volume settings independently, and the DAC1 HDR will remember those volume settings.

and here

DAC1 HDR Rear View | Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.

Theres only one set of analogue inputs

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadLover /img/forum/go_quote.gif No A trade in will be better, at least for me I really don't understand why brands don't have such a thing. I prefer buying from brands that DO care of their costumers and know that tech is changing and we can't sell and buy each time, so if there something new and I am a return costumer, at least do me a discount or something!

My guess is that the reason Benchmark does not behave in the way you suggest is because it wants to stay in business.

 

[pcf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aCuria /img/forum/go_quote.gif from here, Benchmark Media Unveils Their Flagship DAC1 HDR with Remote Control - Audio Server & MP3 Player News, News, Stereo Amplifier News, Stereo Preamplifier News - HomeTheaterReview.com The remote control of the DAC1 HDR controls on/off, input selection, volume, soft-mute, and adjustable dim level. The user can adjust the "dim" volume setting and the "normal" volume settings independently, and the DAC1 HDR will remember those volume settings. and here DAC1 HDR Rear View | Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. Theres only one set of analogue inputs

Thanks a lot for the info and the link. The remote will help a lot. I used the DAC1pre as a preamp for a shot time along with a switchbox from Mapletree for the analog inputs. It was such a pain and I eventually gave up and put my preamp back in the chain.

 

[pcf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif My guess is that the reason Benchmark does not behave in the way you suggest is because it wants to stay in business.

Hi Monkey,
I can totally understand if Benchmark doesn't offer any discount or trade but I also share people's frustration. DAC1pre was out only a short time ago advertised as a fully functioned preamp. A lot of people already voiced their opinions about the lack of remote controt. Like everyone else, I got the impression that it was Benchmark's design decision to omit the remote. Had we know there was a new version coming round the corner the decision might have been different. Don't forget people in Europe are paying a lot more than US customers for these products. I can understand why they would feel hard done by.
In an ideal world I would have rather seen Benchmark bypassed the released of DAC1pre completely and just go straight to the HDR a little later.

 

[Quaddy]

elias, can you provide any info on when and how much the HDR will be here in the UK from official distributors?

thanks.

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2danes /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello EliasGwinn, I have been reading and reading through this thread, and there is some great information here. I have a DAC1 USB and am very pleased with the results. I am feeding my Apple tv, which is loaded with apple lossless, not wireless, direct to the DAC1, then to the Mcintosh C-46 pre, then to some monoblocks. I am really enjoying the sound. I know that the Apple tv is limited to 44.1 output, and my question is, will I benefit if I change over the Apple tv to a mac mini to stream 96/24, or will I not see an audible difference ?? Any info would be greatly appreciated...... thanks

If you are playing redbook (44.1 kHz / 16-bit) audio without volume control or any other DSP, then upgrading won't make a difference in the sound. However, it is sometimes difficult to know if there is any DSP occuring. If there is DSP of any sort (re-sampling, volume control, etc), the 16-bit limitation will cause distortion due to truncation.

In other words, the 96/24 interface doesn't necessarily sound better, but its more capable of handling the data stream without negative effects.

Thanks,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowmagnet /img/forum/go_quote.gif Elias: Maybe you could petition the moderators to rename this thread to "The official DAC1 thread" since the DAC1 USB came out two product revisions ago?

I wouldn't want to assume ownership of this thread. This is the user's thread, and I just participate.

All the best,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aCuria /img/forum/go_quote.gif I dont quite get it 1) The 4562 can push higher current levels without sacrificing performance. This allows us to lower the output impedance, which is good for a few reasons. It is less likely to attenuate higher frequencies due to load capacitance. -meaning on the DAC-1 the high frequencies tend to drop off more as compared to the DAC-1-USB? -Does this occur at the unbalanced out, balanced out and the headphone amp? -what kind of components have high load capacitances?

All types of components can have high input capacitance: amps, pre-amps, etc. Manufacturers often add a capacitor on the input to filter RF and EMI noise. Unfortunately they will also filter the high-frequency of the audio if the source impedance isn't low enough. The DAC1 USB acheives lower output impedances then the DAC1, so it will be less likely to allow the load to filter the high-frequencies.

This doesn't apply to the headphone amp, unless you used the headphone output to drive a pre-amp/amp.



Quote:

Originally Posted by aCuria /img/forum/go_quote.gif It optimizes common-mode rejection ratio. -"The common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of a differential amplifier (or other device) measures the tendency of the device to reject input signals common to both input leads." -How does this affect the sound in the end?

Common-mode rejection is important for eliminating noise. Also, if a load's differential amp isn't designed properly, it could lead to distortion. Lower source impedance helps prevent this also.


Quote:

Originally Posted by aCuria /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also, if the load has low impedance, the increase current draw won't induce distortion from the 4562. -Am i right to say the 4562s have a lower output impedance than those used in the vanilla DAC-1, which helps to suppress resonances and free oscillations at the speakers?

The 4562 allows the DAC1 USB/PRE/HDR's output stage to have a lower output impedance. However, this won't affect the speakers. It only affects the interaction between the DAC1 and the next device down the path (amplifier or pre-amp, usually).


Quote:

Originally Posted by aCuria /img/forum/go_quote.gif Comparing the usb to the pre, does the second 4562 help drive the analogue out as well? or is it linked to the analogue in of the pre (ie: if i connect the usb and the pre using coaxial, will there be any difference in the output?)

The DAC1 USB has the 4562's on the output driver section only, while the DAC1 PRE has 4562's all throughout the analog circuit. There are no measurable sonic differences between the two, but many users and reviewers have mentioned preferring the sound of the DAC1 PRE.


Quote:

Originally Posted by aCuria /img/forum/go_quote.gif Once again, thanks for the help. I am deciding between the vanilla DAC1, the DAC1 usb, and the DA-10. I dont really need the usb, although its nice to have. It will be nice if you could point out the advantages of the DAC1 over the DA-10 as well =)

Sorry, but I can't comment on any competitors product. Best of luck on your purchase decision!

All the best,
Elias

 

[artears]

Hi Elias,

I am interested in pre or the hdr model and did not make up my mind yet. I had the chance to audition DAC1 pre before and I did not find it to be too analytical as some will claim here about other versions of DAC1 or DAC1 in general. Maybe that engaging feeling was coming from the synergy between my ACS T2 iems and the pre, who knows. I was planning on getting the pre version until I saw the hdr as well. It seems like the difference between those two are the motorized potentiometer and the remote. There is no upgrade to any other parts regarding dac section on hdr over pre version, am I right? Considering that I mostly will use it with a computer setup, I might as well choose not to get the hdr and save another $300. Are there any sonic differences? Which one do you recommend?

I have another question: Regarding the outputs in the back of the unit, does the unit control the volume no matter what is given as input? I am curious if a digital input also enables the use of the volume or the volume control is only limited to whenever an anolog input is connected to it?

I appreciate your time and efforts here. Thank you very much.

 

[EliasGwinn]

Ok folks, here is the official DAC1 HDR trade-in policy:

Any DAC1, DAC1 USB, and/or DAC1 PRE that was purchased directly from Benchmark on or after March 1, 2009 may be returned for a full refund of the purchase price towards a DAC1 HDR. The returned unit(s) must be in like-new condition or they will be subject to a restocking fee.

This offer ends May 1, 2009.

All the best,
Elias

 

[pcf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EliasGwinn /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok folks, here is the official DAC1 HDR trade-in policy: Any DAC1, DAC1 USB, and/or DAC1 PRE that was purchased directly from Benchmark on or after March 1, 2009 may be returned for a full refund of the purchase price towards a DAC1 HDR. The returned unit(s) must be in like-new condition or they will be subject to a restocking fee. All the best, Elias

Thanks Elias! That's a very good gesture! Now people who just bought a DAC1pre will not feel hard done by!

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcf /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Elias, Some questions about the Benchmark HDR. Is the remote only for volume control? Can it switch sources? I couldn't find any details pictures on your website. Also, Are we still stuck with 1 analog source? People might want to know these before they make their decision. I enjoy the DAC1pre's sound quality very much but there are one or two things that I thought it could improve- one of them is the need of a remote control which has been addressed in the upcoming HDR. The other problem I have with the pre is the lack of anlog inputs. Anyone who listens to vinyl and SACD will find the pre wanting. If I want to use it as a preamp, I have to use a switch box which is not ideal. Are you offering any exhange deals? People who bought the pre will not likely spend more on the HDR unless they sell first. Keep up the good work!

If any of these questions remain, please feel free to ask.

All the best,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcf /img/forum/go_quote.gif ... Like everyone else, I got the impression that it was Benchmark's design decision to omit the remote. ... In an ideal world I would have rather seen Benchmark bypassed the released of DAC1pre completely and just go straight to the HDR a little later.

The reason a remote control was not included in any previous products was because we were not happy with the solutions available. Just like with any technology, there may be plenty of solutions, but they all carry trade-off's. We couldn't find any remote-control solution that didn't trade the quality of the audio for convenience, which is fundamentally against our design philosophy.

With the custom-made, motor-driven Alps volume pot, the audio quality isn't sacrificed at all. Once we had that, we were finally satisfied enough to move forward with implementing remote control.

We would have liked to include a remote control with the original DAC1 PRE, but we wouldn't do it unless it was as sonically pure as the rest of the product.

All the best,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EliasGwinn /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok folks, here is the official DAC1 HDR trade-in policy: Any DAC1, DAC1 USB, and/or DAC1 PRE that was purchased directly from Benchmark on or after March 1, 2009 may be returned for a full refund of the purchase price towards a DAC1 HDR. The returned unit(s) must be in like-new condition or they will be subject to a restocking fee. This offer ends May 1, 2009. All the best, Elias

Please note that I edited my previous post to include the following addendum:


"This offer ends May 1, 2009."


Thanks,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaddy /img/forum/go_quote.gif elias, can you provide any info on when and how much the HDR will be here in the UK from official distributors? thanks.

Unfortunately I don't have this information. Please contact your dealer and/or the local distributor (SCV in the UK).

Thanks,
Elias