The Bottom Line
Listening to your audio through the Benchmark DAC-1 is a nearly religious experience -- it's honestly as if a veil is lifted from your audio. Lows become remarkably tighter, highs sparkle with a newfound accuracy, and a tight mid-range that allows vocals and acoustic instruments shine. The headphone amplifier makes a good set of headphones really come alive!
Pros
- Superior Audio Quality
- Up to 24-bit, 192-kHz Support
- Fantastic Headphone Amp
Cons
- None
Description
- Number of Headphone Outputs: 2 Output Connector: 1/4" TRS Speaker Connectors: Calibrated XLR or RCA. 55Khz Analog Bandwidth.
- Superior Digital-to-Analog conversion via S/PDIF coaxial or optical, or AES/EBU via XLR.
- Removal of jitter-induced artifacts and distortion-free audio means clearer, more concise audio reproduction.
Guide Review - Benchmark DAC-1 Digital to Analog Converter
I normally don't buy into hype; I review a lot of products for About, and I've been very fortunate that many of them have been absolutely fantastic. But it's a little different when I'm making purchasing decisions for my own studio, where I'm on a budget just like everybody else. You have to find a great combination of value, usability, and audio quality.
After hearing one from a fellow engineer at a coffee shop during a power outage (the only place with power in the whole neighborhood), I knew I had to have one. They're not cheap - you can buy direct for $975 - but what the DAC-1 does is really spectacular. Then, I entered an online contest, and - shockingly - won! My DAC-1 arrived, and I enthusiastically plugged it in.
Quite simply, you plug the digital output of your recording interface to the digital input (there's 3, actually; coaxial S/PDIF, lightpipe S/PDIF, and XLR AES/EBU), hook up headphones or studio monitors, and go to mixing. It's easy as that. The DAC-1 takes the raw digital signal and expertly converts it to analog audio, and works as an amplifier for your speakers or headphones. It may not seem necessary, but trust me: your ears and mixes will thank you.
In the days since receiving my DAC-1, I've found a new reason to love it every day. Crystal-clear audio, sparkling detail, and most importantly, heightened detail in my mixes. In fact, one artist whose album I'm mixing currently, remarked that after hearing my work through the DAC-1, commented that he needed to buy one for his home listening setup!
The DAC-1 truly lifted a veil off my audio reproduction. Listening to music on the same monitors and in the same room that I've worked in for three years seems like a new experience. Yes, $995 is a little bit much for some on a budget, but the increased accuracy in your work is well worth it.
After hearing one from a fellow engineer at a coffee shop during a power outage (the only place with power in the whole neighborhood), I knew I had to have one. They're not cheap - you can buy direct for $975 - but what the DAC-1 does is really spectacular. Then, I entered an online contest, and - shockingly - won! My DAC-1 arrived, and I enthusiastically plugged it in.
Quite simply, you plug the digital output of your recording interface to the digital input (there's 3, actually; coaxial S/PDIF, lightpipe S/PDIF, and XLR AES/EBU), hook up headphones or studio monitors, and go to mixing. It's easy as that. The DAC-1 takes the raw digital signal and expertly converts it to analog audio, and works as an amplifier for your speakers or headphones. It may not seem necessary, but trust me: your ears and mixes will thank you.
In the days since receiving my DAC-1, I've found a new reason to love it every day. Crystal-clear audio, sparkling detail, and most importantly, heightened detail in my mixes. In fact, one artist whose album I'm mixing currently, remarked that after hearing my work through the DAC-1, commented that he needed to buy one for his home listening setup!
The DAC-1 truly lifted a veil off my audio reproduction. Listening to music on the same monitors and in the same room that I've worked in for three years seems like a new experience. Yes, $995 is a little bit much for some on a budget, but the increased accuracy in your work is well worth it.