Benchmark DAC2 HGC - Silver

Benchmark's DAC1 family of D/A converters 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. The DAC1 has been the best-selling two-channel reference-quality converter and is in daily use at many of the finest recording studios and mastering rooms. DAC1 converters are also enjoyed by thousands of audiophiles. But, Benchmark has just raised the bar. The DAC2 HGC now defines a new reference.

The DAC2 HGC outperforms the DAC1 in every respect. It has lower noise, lower distortion, improved accuracy, outstanding musical detail, precise stereo imaging, an advanced digital filter design, and a new high-sample-rate Asynchronous USB Audio interface. All inputs are fully isolated from interface jitter by Benchmark's new UltraLock2™ jitter attenuation system. Internal digital processing and conversion is 32-bits, and includes 3.5 dB of headroom above 0 dBFS. Four balanced 32-bit D/A converter are summed together for each balanced output. The performance of the DAC2 HGC exceeds the measurement limits of today's state-of-the art test equipment. Discover the analog sound of the DAC2 HGC.

Features:

• Sample rate display
• Word length display
• More digital inputs (5 total)
• More analog inputs (2 total)
• More analog outputs (3 total)
• Digital pass-through
• Native DSD conversion
• Polarity switch
• Asynchronous USB 2.0
• Driverless asynchronous USB 1.1
• Home theater bypass
• Bi-directional 12 volt trigger
• Power switch
• Low power consumption

New Benchmark technologies:

• Hybrid gain control
• High-headroom DSP
• UltraLock2™ jitter attenuation system
• Quad 32-bit balanced D/A conversion system
• Multi-mode asynchronous USB audio system
• Distributed power regulation