Benchmark DAC2 HGC

Selling my Benchmark DAC2 HGC. I am the original owner. This is item has been VERY lightly used in my home office. Works perfectly and looks brand new. Includes remote, original packaging and manual. This has been on the Stereophile 'Class A' list for several years.
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The DAC2 is Benchmark's second-generation 2-channel D/A converter. The DAC2 converter has lower noise and lower distortion than Benchmark's DAC1 converter.The performance of the DAC2 exceeds the measurement limits of some of  today's best test equipment.

The DAC2  delivers outstanding musical detail and precise stereo imaging. It employs an advanced high-headroom 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 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 converter are summed together to create each balanced analog output. This 4:1 summation provides a 6 dB noise reduction, and gives the DAC2 industry-leading performance.

NATIVE DSD CONVERSION

All digital inputs on the DAC2 support native PCM or DSD 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 DAC2 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.

DIRECT CONNECTIVITY TO POWER AMPLIFIERS

Benchmark DAC1 and DAC2 converters are designed to directly drive power amplifiers and speakers. Benchmark converters feature adjustable low-impedance passive attenuators at the XLR outputs that can be used to optimize the interface to the power amplifier (or powered monitor). This unique Benchmark feature optimizes the gain staging between the DAC and the power amplifier. Proper gain staging cannot be overemphasised. When audio stages are properly matched, each component in the audio chain is able to operate at its optimum signal level, and the system performance is significantly improved.

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, DAC2 converters are ideal for critical reference-quality professional systems. Unlike many competing products, the DAC2 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.