Benchmark DAC3 B Digital to Analog Converter

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General:
The DAC3 B is a super capable DAC from Benchmark, featuring balanced XLR outputs, and no less than FOUR balanced 32-bit D/A converters made by ESS.

It's also compact and manufactured to a high standard typical of Benchmark. 

From Benchmark:
DAC3 B - Reference Quality - Basic Features
The DAC3 B is the basic D/A converter in Benchmark's DAC3 converter series. The DAC3 B  is the ideal converter to use in front of Benchmark's HPA4 headphone amplifier or LA4 line amplifier. It is also ideal for many professional studio applications. It delivers the full performance of the flagship DAC3 HGC, but eliminates the volume control, the analog inputs, the mute and polarity controls, and the headphone amplifier.

To make system integration easy, the DAC3 B retains IR remote control (handset optional), 12 V trigger, and the programmable auto-on feature. The DAC3 B adds a control-lock feature that turns off the remote control and locks the keypad to prevent tampering and accidental changes. The optional 1/2-width rack-mount faceplate allows the mounting of two units in a single 1-RU rack space.

The DAC3 B sounds exactly like the DAC3 HGC because it uses the exact same circuit board and the exact same audio path. Benchmark has simply eliminated the unnecessary parts to deliver a stripped down race car of a converter. If you want a basic D/A converter that delivers the finest conversion available, the DAC3 B is for you.

The DAC3 B is a 2-channel D/A converter featuring the new ESS Technologies ES9028PRO converter chip. The DAC3 converter has lower THD and THD+N noise than Benchmark's DAC2 converters.

Benchmark's DAC1 and DAC2 D/A converter families have been the reference to which other converters have been compared. It is rare to find a converter review that does not draw comparisons to the DAC1 or the DAC2. Benchmark converters are in daily use at many of the world's finest recording studios and mastering rooms. Benchmark converters are also enjoyed by thousands of audiophiles. Benchmark has raised the bar again ... the DAC3 defines a new reference.

Reference Performance
The DAC3 delivers outstanding musical detail and precise stereo imaging. It employs an advanced high-headroom digital filter design, and a high-sample-rate Asynchronous USB Audio interface.

All inputs are fully isolated from interface jitter by Benchmark's new UltraLock3™ jitter attenuation system.

Internal digital processing and conversion is 32-bits, and this processing includes 3.5 dB of headroom above 0 dBFS. This headroom prevents the DSP overloads that commonly occur in other D/A converters.

Four balanced 32-bit D/A converters are summed together to create each balanced analog output. This 4:1 summation provides a 6 dB noise reduction, and gives the DAC3 industry-leading performance.

Native DSD Conversion
All digital inputs on the DAC3 support native 192 kHz PCM or DSD64 conversion.

From any input, DSD is transported with bit accuracy over DoP 1.1. DSD and PCM are both natively converted to analog. There are no DSD to PCM or PCM to DSD conversions to compromise the quality of the music. The DAC3 conversion system seamlessly switches between native PCM and native DSD conversion. DSD over DoP 1.1 is supported by many media players, and DSD downloads are now available from several sources.

Sonically-Neutral Studio Monitoring
All Benchmark converters are designed for maximum transparency.

This transparency is absolutely essential in the studio monitoring chain. For this reason, DAC3 converters are ideal for critical reference-quality professional systems. Unlike many competing products, the DAC3 is not designed to add "euphonic" coloration to the audio. Instead it is designed to be as uncolored and natural as possible.

Step Into the Studio
When Benchmark's professional converters are used in hi-fi applications, studio-quality sound can be enjoyed in a home environment.

Enjoy pure music without any coloration from the electronics. Hear the music exactly the way it was heard in the studio, and exactly the way the artists intended.

Discover the natural, uncolored, analog sound of the DAC3

Sit in the Performance Space
Transparent sound can go beyond replicating the studio experience. Recordings that have been produced with a natural and unprocessed sound can transport you to the performance space. But, this can only happen when the entire playback chain is selected for maximum transparency.

This experience of "being there" cannot be created by systems that are designed to add "warmth" or "euphonic color" to the music.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Small signs of wear shown on the rear panel, overall very good condition.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
No remote is included with this unit.

Brand Background:
The founder of Benchmark, Allen H. Burdick, began by building very high-performance audio equipment to meet the specialized needs of television broadcast facilities. The company quickly grew and was incorporated as Benchmark Media Systems on March 5, 1985. Benchmark expanded into additional audio markets and relocated to Allen's hometown, Syracuse, NY. To this day, all Benchmark products are designed, assembled, and tested in their Syracuse facility.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
RCA, XLR, USB type B, Optical Digital.

General Sound:
Accurate to the recording

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested on our bench. XLR and RCA working as they should.

Included:
Unit, manual, and power cord.

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Specs:
44.1 to 96 kHz, 20 to 20 kHz BW, 1 kHz test tone, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu (unless noted)
SNR – A-Weighted, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu
125 dB, 128 dB relative to intersample peaks
SNR – Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu
123 dB, 126 dB relative to intersample peaks
THD+N, 1 kHz at 0 dBFS
-113 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022%
THD+N, 1 kHz at -1 dBFS
-114 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022%
THD+N, 1 kHz at –3 dBFS
-119 dBFS, -116 dB, 0.00016%
THD+N, 20 to 20 kHz test tone at –3 dBFS
-113 dBFS, -110 dB, 0.00032%

Frequency Response at Fs=192 kHz
- +0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 to 20 kHz)
- -0.015 dB at 10 Hz
- -0.005 dB at 20 kHz
- -0.031 dB at 40 kHz
- -0.15 dB at 80 kHz

Frequency Response at Fs=48 kHz
- +0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 to 20 kHz)
- -0.015 dB at 10 Hz
- -0.005 dB at 20 kHz

Crosstalk
- -137 dB at 20 Hz
- -130 dB at 1 kHz
- -116 dB at 20 kHz

Maximum Amplitude of Jitter Induced Sidebands (10 kHz 0 dBFS test tone, 12.75 UI sinusoidal jitter at 1 kHz)
< -144 dB

Maximum Amplitude of Spurious Tones with 0 dBFS test signal
< -138 dB

Maximum Amplitude of Idle Tones
< -147 dB

Maximum Amplitude of AC line related Hum & Noise
< -133 dB

Inter-channel Differential Phase (Stereo Pair – any sample rate)
+/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz

Inter-channel Differential Phase (Between **_DAC3_** Units Fs<110 kHz) Any sample rate.
+/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz

Maximum Lock Time after Fs change
6 ms

Soft Mute Ramp Up/Down Time
9.6 ms

Mute on Receive Error
Yes

Mute on Lock Error
Yes

Mute on Idle Channel
No

50/15 us De-Emphasis Enable
Automatic in Consumer Mode

De-Emphasis Method
Digital IIR

De-Emphasis Supported at
Fs = 32, 44.1, 48 kHz

Group Delay (Latency)
Delay – Digital Input to Analog Output (function of sample rate) 
1.36 ms at 44.1 kHz
1.27 ms at 48 kHz
0.90 ms at 88.2 kHz
0.82 ms at 96 kHz
0.51 ms at 176.4 kHz
0.47 ms at 192 kHz

Digital Audio Inputs
Number of Digital Inputs (switch selected)
5 (1 USB, 2 Optical, 2 Coaxial)

Number of Channels
2

Input Sample Frequency Range
28 to 210 kHz (Coaxial Inputs)
28 to 96 kHz (Optical Inputs)
44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz (USB Input)

Maximum Input Word Length
24 bits

Digital Input Impedance
75 Ohms (Coaxial Inputs)

DC Blocking Capacitors on Digital Inputs
Yes (Coaxial Inputs)

Transient and Over-Voltage Protection on Digital Inputs
Yes (Coaxial Inputs)

Minimum Digital Input Level
250 mVpp (Coaxial Inputs)

Jitter Tolerance
(With no Measurable Change in Performance)
 
\>12.75 UI sine, 100 Hz to 3 kHz
\>1.5 UI sine at 20 kHz
\>1.5 UI sine at 40 kHz
\>1.5 UI sine at 80 kHz
\>1.5 UI sine at 90 kHz
\>0.25 UI sine above 160 kHz
Jitter Attenuation Method
Benchmark UltraLock3™ - all inputs

Balanced Analog Outputs
Number of Balanced Analog Outputs
2

Output Connector
Gold-Pin Neutrik™ male XLR

Output Impedance
60 Ohms (Attenuator off)
425 Ohms (Attenuator = 10 dB)
135 Ohms (Attenuator = 20 dB)

Analog Output Clip Point
+30 dBu

Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS)
+24 dBu (Attenuator off)

Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. 96 kHz)
< +/- 0.006 dB

Unbalanced Analog Outputs
Number of Unbalanced Analog Outputs
2

Output Connector
RCA

Output Impedance
30 Ohms

Analog Output Clip Point
+13.5 dBu (3.7 Vrms)

Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS)
+8.2 dBu (2 Vrms)

Output Level Variation with Sample Rate
< +/- 0.006 dB

Status Display
Indicators - Type and Location
12 LED’s on Front Panel
Selection/Status Indication
1 – Control Lock
5 – Input
2 – Word length
4 – Sample Rate

AC Power Requirements
Nominal Input Operating Voltage Range (VAC RMS)
100 – 240V

Frequency
50-60 Hz

Power
< 0.5 Watts Idle
12 Watts Typical Program
13 Watts Maximum

Fuses
5 x 20 mm (2 required)
0.5 A 250 V Slo-Blo® Type

Min/Max Operating range (VAC RMS)
90 – 260 VAC
47 – 63 Hz

Dimensions
Form Factor
½ Rack Wide, 1 RU High

Depth behind front panel
8.5” (216 mm)

Overall depth including connectors but without power cord
9.33” (237 mm)

Width
9.5” (249 mm)

Height
1.725” (44.5 mm)

Weight
DAC3only
3 lb.

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Coaxial Digital Interconnect

Kimber Kable - Optical Digital Interconnect

Kimber Kable - Digital AES/EBU Interconnect

Kimber Kable - Select Series Reference USB Cable

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Good

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - 14AWG (Gauge) Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect resistors and other passive components for signs of overheating. 

After the visual inspection we connect the DAC's RCA outputs to our Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates a real world input impedance and allows us to monitor the output on an oscilloscope. We are equipped to test optical, coaxial, and USB inputs at Redbook CD Quality.

We start with a test signal to verify signal lock and proper output on both channels. If the DAC has balanced outputs these are also tested at this time. If the DAC has multiple Optical and Coaxial inputs they are all checked for proper lock. USB inputs are tested with a MacBook Pro. 

After proper function is verified, we setup the DAC for a listening test to evaluate general audio reproduction quality and monitor for clicks, pops, or any other audible signs of issues related to dropped signal lock or failing audio output stages. We often connect the DAC under evaluation to our long term test rig for a long test stint to verify stability under real world operating conditions.