Fresh From the Bench: KanexPro HAECOAX HDMI Audio De-Embedder

This review explains the merits of the KanexPro HAECOAX, an HDMI audio de-embedder, which extracts the PCM datastream from your players HDMI output and feeds the datastream to an S/PDIF output at the disc’s full resolution. Gary Galo discovered the device some time ago, enabling him to extract digital high-resolution audio sources from HDMI signals. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2016.

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.

The July 2016 issue of audioXpress is now available and includes something for everyone. We visit Sinar Baja Electric — the birthplace of speaker driver brand SB Acoustics, report on AXPONA 2016, Mark Driedger shares his amazing D70 Stereo Tube Amplifier project, and we explain how to test Dante-enabled audio devices. And that’s just the start! Download the July 2016 issue now!