Fresh From the Bench: Benchmark DAC3 HGC Stereo D/A Converter

Benchmark Media Systems' DAC series of high performance digital-to-analog converters (DACs) have earned the respect of audio enthusiasts and professional users alike for their state-of-the-art performance, including exceptional audio transparency and vanishingly-low levels of noise and distortion. Now Benchmark has made its DAC3 even better with the upgrade to ESS Technology’s new ES9028PRO DAC chip. The DAC3 HGC, reviewed here, combines an analog preamplifier with the DAC. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2017.

Benchmark has recently previewed and is already taking orders for its new DAC3 HGC D/A converter! Following the success of the previous DAC1 and DAC2 D/A reference converters, Benchmark’s newest 2-channel DAC3 features the new ESS Technologies ES9028PRO converter chip and has lower THD and THD+N noise than Benchmark’s DAC2. The DAC3 also employs an advanced high-headroom digital filter design, and all inputs are fully isolated from interface jitter by Benchmark’s new UltraLock3 jitter attenuation system.

audioXpress December 2015 included another great Practical Test & Measurement article on “Testing Audio ADCs and DACs,” written by David Mathew from Audio Precision. As he explains, the articles discuses methods used to procure high-quality results by correctly evaluating the critical AD and DA stages, with conventional and more evolved measurements used in audio tests. The article also includes an interesting side-text detailing how Audio Precision found an ideal test case for the APx555 analyzer. Full article now available online.

The DAC2 series are the latest digital-to-analog converters from Benchmark Media Systems, the American audio manufacturer based in Syracuse, NY. The model reviewed here is the DAC2 DX, which has been tailored for users who don’t have analog sources or who use a separate analog preamp. Read the full review.

The new edition from audioXpress is available, and there are many reasons to quickly get to it. Our main cover article is an in-depth review of the Benchmark AHB2 Stereo Power Amplifier by Gary Galo. If you are interested in amplifiers, this review will clearly explain why you should listen to this one. On another serving from our series on Wireless Audio development platforms we focus on CSR. And much more…