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Key Features
Product Ref: 39494
The DAC2 HGC features Benchmark's unique Hybrid Gain Control system. This combines active analogue gain control, passive low-impedance attenuators, a 32-bit digital gain control and a servo-driven volume control. All inputs are controlled by the rotary volume control, which moves in response to commands from the remote control. The analogue inputs are never converted to digital, and the digital inputs never pass through an analogue potentiometer. The digital inputs are controlled in the 32-bit DSP system, preserving precise L/R balance and precise stereo imaging while avoiding any noise or distortion. The passive attenuators provide distortion-free gain reduction without reducing the dynamic range, and optimise the gain staging between the DAC2 HGC and the power amplifier. This maximises the dynamic range of the entire system.
The Benchmark UltraLock2™ jitter attenuation system is an improved version of the UltraLock system used on the DAC1, and offers 32-bit DSP processing, 3.5dB DSP headroom and a 211kHz sample rate. Jitter-induced distortion and noise is at least 140dB below the level of the music, making it well below the threshold of hearing and eliminating all audible jitter artefacts.
The multi-mode asynchronous USB system supports USB Audio 2.0, DSD and USB Audio 1.1. The asynhronous communications eliminate unnecessary sources of jitter, and the system will follow sample rate changes initiated by the computer or media playback software.
"Benchmark dared to engage their power amplifier project from a different angle, discarding the standard approach ... and certainly succeeded. The theoretical advantages of their choices are both evident in the laboratory and heard during the listening sessions, thus justifying the whole approach."
- Dimitris Stamatakos, AVMENTOR.net
"Benchmark says that this, the latest iteration in the range, is superior in terms of sound quality to the DAC1... Immediately, right from the off, I was seriously impressed with the DAC2."
- Paul Rigby, The Audiophile Man - audiophileman.com
*For more specifications and information, please see the Manual above