Benchmark DAC3 DX Silver w/o remote

Designed for users who do not need analog inputs, the silver DAC3-DX from Benchmark is a \"digital-only,\" high-resolution DAC and stereo preamplifier, which comes equipped with a zero-Ohm, reference-grade HPA2 headphone amplifier. It maintains the familiar DAC2 form factor and feature set, but delivers the higher performance available from the ES9028PRO D/A converter chip, when playing back Direct Stream Digital (DSD) and Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) files. Offered as an output device for computer-based media, the DAC3-DX can be used with digital audio workstations, audiophile systems, high-fidelity homes, theaters, or as a standalone headphone amplifier for digital sources.

The 8-channel/32-bit ESS Technologies ES9028PRO chip features two distortion compensation systems, which independently remove most of the 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortion in the D/A converter. It also uses 3:1 summing to form each of the two output channels. This results in an enhanced frequency response and a 4.77 dB signal-to-noise improvement with low THD noise.

The DAC3-DX follows sample-rate changes initiated by your computer or software and uses a multi-mode asynchronous USB system for data transfer. This allows the unit to act as the clock master, reducing jitter by first transferring the audio data from your computer to an internal buffer, and then to the digital to analog subsystem. The dual data transfer uses Benchmark's proprietary UltraLock3 jitter attenuation system, reducing jitter noise and distortion to at least 140 dB below the level of the audio.

The Hybrid Gain Control (HGC) combines the unit's passive low-impedance attenuators, 32-bit digital gain control, and servo-driven volume control. The HGC provides the dynamic range of an analog system and the accuracy of digital control. The 32-bit Digital Signal Processing (DSP) also provides up to 3.5 dBFS excess digital headroom, throughout the entire conversion process.

The DAC3-DX features a variety of digital input and output options. It accepts professional AES/EBU (XLR & coaxial) and consumer S/PDIF (Toslink & coaxial) signals. Analog outputs include a stereo balanced output on two XLRs and two pairs of unbalanced outputs on RCA connectors. All the unit's functions can be controlled from the front panel or from the Benchmark IR remote control (available separately).