Benchmark DAC1

It will not do SACD, does do DVD-A though. I have no idea if the other outputs will work while the XLR works. Drop Benchmark a line & see what they say.

Yes, you can use both outputs at the same time. I use the XLR outputs to drive a headphone amplifier and the RCA outputs to drive computer speakers (this is for my computer system). By the way, you can also use the two headphone outputs on the front while using the XLR and RCA outputs on the back!

The DAC1 is just an amazingly flexbile device. Now if it only had USB input it would be the greatest computer audio device ever conceived. I guess it works pretty well from non-computer transports as well (but why would anyone want to use one of those?).

The folks at Benchmark seem to have no plans to make the DAC1 a USB device. In my conversation with them, the indicated that it is just too easy to add on an external M-Audio "Transit" converter ($70) to do the job. Not worth their time...

FYI... According to Benchmark, this morning... at some shows they use a $100 - $200 DVD player for their transport device. As the 'jitter correction' of the Benchmark DAC1 reduces/eliminates jitter as one of it's foremost functions... as an earlier poster mentioned hearing no significant diffs with several transports being used... Won't do SACD. Does the other forms of conversion, DVDA, CD red book, DVD.

One note of importance... DVDA media from some production giants like Warner Bros. have been encoded to prevent copying... and in so doing, they 'flag' the transport to downsample to PCM via the digital outs. Others, do not 'protect' from copying... hence they do not 'flag' the device to down sample to PCM... ex. Chesky. I forget the others mentioned, there were three or four mentioned.

The rep I spoke with emphasized that older model DVD players were not outfitted with the chip that detects the protection... some were ridiculously cheap.. but price of the transport is not the issue with the Benchmark DAC1, it's the 'jitter correction' technology that will overcome the transport irregularities. Hence the use of the inexpensive players at shows.

The rep also covered the use of IC's, and power cords, indicating they have found little differences in that regard. Leaving it up to the individual and their prefferences. I asked what they use in their R&D, he said Canare (canary), $20 - $30 xlr, and offer all the IC'S they use in house. Optical, EBU, etc. at additional but most affordable costs... if for no other reason, just to get started, or use as ones own 'benchmark'.

I also pointedly asked about any issues regarding using my xa 777 with it, and he made no statement as to any problems arising from that combo. PC, DVD, CD, no matter the digital source, they all interface via the TOS, coaxial, or SPDIF connections... and the DAC1 handles them all.

Do bear in mind, these statements herein are those of the Benchmark rep, not my own personal experience. One last thing, they offer a money back deal if not satisfied. That alone, says a good bit right there.

...thought to pass that along for posterity... or curious others with Q's about the DAC1.