Benchmark DAC1 now available with USB

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by music_man /img/forum/go_quote.gif could someone please tell me. is balanced mic wire(xlr) the appropriate cable to use with the dac1 on the analog outs and 110ohm for the aes/ebu? like vtg,belden,mogami? thanks, music_man

This is correct.

Best,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMS /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Elias, revisiting this issue from about a month ago, I now think it's probably an issue with the DAC1 rather than the amp. I just tried comparing the noise floors of the DAC1's balanced output and the unbalanced (with digital input set to silence). With unbalanced, I hear no static/white noise at all through the speakers, while switching to balanced, I hear a very faint amount. It doesn't seem to be the amp's own noise -- when I disconnect the XLR input from the amp altogether, I hear no noise. Not sure if this is necessarily causing the sonic differences I hear, but it does suggest that the two outputs are not identical, at least in terms of noise floor.

Here's something you can try to test this theory: Use an XLR to RCA cable (or adaptor) to connect the XLR outputs from the DAC1 to the RCA inputs of your amp. The level will be a little lower (or higher, depending on the attenuator settings), so keep this in mind.

The XLR to RCA cable must have only pin-2 and pin-1 connected (pin-3 needs to be disconnected or "floating"), which creates an unbalanced connection similar to the RCA outs. Here is a cable like this: Benchmark Media

Best,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by john11f /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Elias, I currently use a Dynaudio BM6A MKII w/ my DAC1 Pre connected to an iMac w/c is similar to the BM5A recommended use on the Benchmark website. I find that the bass is a bit lacking and would like to improve on the sound. Have you had any experience connecting a BM9S sub?

I haven't heard the BM9S, but the DAC1 PRE can easily drive a sub and powered monitors simultaneously. We have MANY customers doing exactly that.

All the best,
Elias

 

[music_man]

thank you for replying mr. gwinn. i don't have many questions about the dac1. it does everything i ever wanted it to. including sounding great!

music_man

 

[john11f]

Hi Elias,

What's your take on the USB to SPDIF conversion to the Benchmark? Does it improve sound?

The dealer told me it improves soundstage even for ordinary MP3 or ALAC (but specially for high-res stuff). Given I use active speakers and listen nearfield, would this make a difference?

 

[peter73]

Dear Elias,

I own the DAC1 and I am planning to buy a Sennheiser HD650. I have read above in this tread as well as elsewhere in the net that the headphone out of the DAC might not be sufficient to drive these headphones. On the other hand I also read that the headphone out of the DAC has been designed with these particular phones in mind.

Could you, please share a bit more information on this matter, especially if you have tried this combination yourself.

Thank you,
Peter

 

[music_man]

mr. gwinn, could the xlr outputs of the dac1 classic be split with 'y' cables to feed two balanced devices? will this degrade sound quality? will it even work?

thank you,
music_man

 

[MarkyMark]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks so much for the information, and the clarification Elias. I apprears that the Panasonic DVD-S47 continues to be one of the few transports that outputs unadulterated hi-rez digital.

So do the DVD-S77 and DVD-S97. Can be had cheap on ebay.

The thing to bear in mind is that you will only get the unadulterated digital output when there is no copy protection set. For DVD-A, that means no copy flag and a disc without a watermark. For DVD-V's, no CSS protection must be set.

For 24/96 stereo DVD-A's that are protected, you can consider getting around it by making a DAD (DVD-V) disc. Use DVDA-Explorer to get the data then use something like DVD Audio Creator to make the disc. Even if the data has a watermark, it won't matter because no checking is done for a DVD-V's.

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by john11f /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Elias, What's your take on the USB to SPDIF conversion to the Benchmark? Does it improve sound? The dealer told me it improves soundstage even for ordinary MP3 or ALAC (but specially for high-res stuff). Given I use active speakers and listen nearfield, would this make a difference?

I'm sorry I didn't respond to this sooner. Usually Head-Fi emails me when new posts are made, but I didn't get one this time.

The Bel Canto USB to SPDIF conversion will not improve the sound over the USB input of the DAC1 USB/PRE/HDR. The Bel Canto device simply licensed the same firmware that we developed for our USB interface. In other words, it is the exact same thing.

All the best,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter73 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Dear Elias, I own the DAC1 and I am planning to buy a Sennheiser HD650. I have read above in this tread as well as elsewhere in the net that the headphone out of the DAC might not be sufficient to drive these headphones. On the other hand I also read that the headphone out of the DAC has been designed with these particular phones in mind. Could you, please share a bit more information on this matter, especially if you have tried this combination yourself. Thank you, Peter

Peter,

EDIT: I just noticed that you are asking about the 650's, not the 800's! We have the 650's here for personal use, and we sell the 650's as a companion to our DAC1 models. They work very well with the DAC1. We have MANY customers who use the 650's with their DAC1 and are very satisfied.

I can give you two more things to keep in mind:

1. The HPA2 (Benchmark's signature headphone amp that is built into all DAC1 models) has more then enough power to sufficiently drive any pair of headphones.

2. The engineers at Sennheiser use the DAC1 to listen to their headphones

I hope that helps,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by music_man /img/forum/go_quote.gif mr. gwinn, could the xlr outputs of the dac1 classic be split with 'y' cables to feed two balanced devices? will this degrade sound quality? will it even work? thank you, music_man

There should be no problem with this setup.

If you have any issues, let me know.

All the best,
Elias

 

[EliasGwinn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkyMark /img/forum/go_quote.gif So do the DVD-S77 and DVD-S97. Can be had cheap on ebay. The thing to bear in mind is that you will only get the unadulterated digital output when there is no copy protection set. For DVD-A, that means no copy flag and a disc without a watermark. For DVD-V's, no CSS protection must be set. For 24/96 stereo DVD-A's that are protected, you can consider getting around it by making a DAD (DVD-V) disc. Use DVDA-Explorer to get the data then use something like DVD Audio Creator to make the disc. Even if the data has a watermark, it won't matter because no checking is done for a DVD-V's.

Very true.

Great post.

-Elias

 

[peter73]

Quote:

I can give you two more things to keep in mind: 1. The HPA2 (Benchmark's signature headphone amp that is built into all DAC1 models) has more then enough power to sufficiently drive any pair of headphones. 2. The engineers at Sennheiser use the DAC1 to listen to their headphones I hope that helps, Elias

Thank you, Elias - prompt and to the point as always.
Have a nice day,
Peter

 

[john11f]

quite an invaluable thread for Benchmark owners.

Thanks again, Elias!

 

[music_man]

i'd like to thank you once again as well, mr. gwinn!

music_man