Back to the main page Back to category Other TV Video and Home Audio
musical instrument details
Benchmark DAC2 HGC Digital-to-Analog DAC D/A Converter Preamp
Estimated price for orientation: 1 699 $
Category: Other TV Video and Home Audio
Class:
Description Brand: Benchmark MPN: DAC2 HGC Model: DAC2 HGC Country/Region of Manufacture: United States UPC: Does not apply
This auction is for a Benchmark DAC2 HGC Digital-to-Analog Converter/Preamp, owned by a well-known audio reviewer and writer. The Benchmark DAC2 HGC is a high-performance D/A converter that has received universally-rave reviews from the professional and high-end consumer audio press. It remains a Class A+ product on Stereophile’s Recommended Components list (April 2017), and an Editor’s Choice in The Absolute Sound (March 2017). The Benchmark DAC2 HGC is built around ESS Technologies’ ES9018 D/A converter chip, which incorporates ESS’s HyperStream conversion technology – the most advanced in the industry. Benchmark’s proprietary UltraLock2 jitter suppression system offers vanishingly-low levels of jitter, and their high-headroom digital signal processing eliminates distortion caused by inter-sample peaks, a potentially-serious but rarely-addressed problem in digital audio, especially at CD sampling rates. The Benchmark DAC has five digital inputs: two (2) S/PDIF coax, two (2) Toslink optical, and one (1) USB input that will operate in both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 modes. The DAC2 HGC accepts both PCM (up to 192 kHz/24-bit via S/PDIF coax and USB) and DSD (Direct-Stream Digital, at 2.8224 MHz). DSD can be streamed over the S/PDIF and USB inputs using the DoP 1.1 format. The DAC2 HGC doubles as a high-performance analog preamp with built-in volume control. It has two stereo RCA unbalanced analog inputs, for connecting analog equipment such as a phono preamp, tuner and analog tape equipment. The DAC2 HGC also has one stereo balanced XLR output, and two stereo unbalanced RCA outputs, all controlled by the front-panel volume control. Benchmark’s exclusive Hybrid Gain Control offers the highest possible resolution and lowest noise by combining a 24-bit digital volume control with a conventional analog volume control. There’s also a Home Theater Bypass feature which can independently convert each input to a fixed output level, if the DAC2 HGC is to be used with another preamp, integrated amp or home theater receiver. Benchmark Media Systems is an American company and all of their products are manufactured in Syracuse, NY. The build quality is excellent. A complete description of the DAC2 HGC, plus reviews from the major audio magazines, and a downloadable manual, are all available on the Benchmark web site: This unit is in near-mint condition and was purchased in Sept. 2016. I love the DAC2 HGC – the only reason I’m selling it is because I’m upgrading to Benchmark’s new DAC3 HGC. This unit has the latest firmware, Version 2.2, and is supplied with all accessories, including the remote control (with batteries already installed), USB cable, mini-phone cable for 12 Volt power-on triggering, IEC power cord, two spare fuses, and two spare PC board jumpers. The original instruction manual is also included. I have the original manufacturer’s shipping cartons – the DAC2 HGC carton double-boxed inside a larger corrugated box. Carton dimensions are 17 x 12 x 7 inches. Shipping weight is 7 pounds. I will ship this package via UPS Ground to the United States, and via eBay Global Shipping to all other countries, including Canada. I can ship this anywhere in the world, as long as your country will allow shipment of electronic/audio equipment from the United States (some countries, like Vietnam, will not – please check to be sure before bidding). Please note that on the customs declaration I must declare the full winning amount as the value of this shipment. The DAC2 HGC contains a universal switching-mode power supply and will run on 100 – 240 VAC, 50 – 60 Hz (Minimum and maximum operating range is specified as 90 – 260 VAC, 47 – 63 Hz). This unit is supplied with the factory 120 VAC IEC power cord for use in the United States and Canada. You’ll have to contact a local dealer to obtain a power cord for use in other countries. Dealers in other countries are listed on Benchmark’s web site. The DAC2 HGC has a list price of $1995 USD. Here’s a chance to buy one in like-new condition for several hundred dollars less.
Description
| Brand: | Benchmark | MPN: | DAC2 HGC |
| Model: | DAC2 HGC | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| UPC: | Does not apply |
This auction is for a Benchmark DAC2 HGC Digital-to-Analog Converter/Preamp, owned by a well-known audio reviewer and writer. The Benchmark DAC2 HGC is a high-performance D/A converter that has received universally-rave reviews from the professional and high-end consumer audio press. It remains a Class A+ product on Stereophile’s Recommended Components list (April 2017), and an Editor’s Choice in The Absolute Sound (March 2017). The Benchmark DAC2 HGC is built around ESS Technologies’ ES9018 D/A converter chip, which incorporates ESS’s HyperStream conversion technology – the most advanced in the industry. Benchmark’s proprietary UltraLock2 jitter suppression system offers vanishingly-low levels of jitter, and their high-headroom digital signal processing eliminates distortion caused by inter-sample peaks, a potentially-serious but rarely-addressed problem in digital audio, especially at CD sampling rates. The Benchmark DAC has five digital inputs: two (2) S/PDIF coax, two (2) Toslink optical, and one (1) USB input that will operate in both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 modes. The DAC2 HGC accepts both PCM (up to 192 kHz/24-bit via S/PDIF coax and USB) and DSD (Direct-Stream Digital, at 2.8224 MHz). DSD can be streamed over the S/PDIF and USB inputs using the DoP 1.1 format. The DAC2 HGC doubles as a high-performance analog preamp with built-in volume control. It has two stereo RCA unbalanced analog inputs, for connecting analog equipment such as a phono preamp, tuner and analog tape equipment. The DAC2 HGC also has one stereo balanced XLR output, and two stereo unbalanced RCA outputs, all controlled by the front-panel volume control. Benchmark’s exclusive Hybrid Gain Control offers the highest possible resolution and lowest noise by combining a 24-bit digital volume control with a conventional analog volume control. There’s also a Home Theater Bypass feature which can independently convert each input to a fixed output level, if the DAC2 HGC is to be used with another preamp, integrated amp or home theater receiver. Benchmark Media Systems is an American company and all of their products are manufactured in Syracuse, NY. The build quality is excellent. A complete description of the DAC2 HGC, plus reviews from the major audio magazines, and a downloadable manual, are all available on the Benchmark web site: This unit is in near-mint condition and was purchased in Sept. 2016. I love the DAC2 HGC – the only reason I’m selling it is because I’m upgrading to Benchmark’s new DAC3 HGC. This unit has the latest firmware, Version 2.2, and is supplied with all accessories, including the remote control (with batteries already installed), USB cable, mini-phone cable for 12 Volt power-on triggering, IEC power cord, two spare fuses, and two spare PC board jumpers. The original instruction manual is also included. I have the original manufacturer’s shipping cartons – the DAC2 HGC carton double-boxed inside a larger corrugated box. Carton dimensions are 17 x 12 x 7 inches. Shipping weight is 7 pounds. I will ship this package via UPS Ground to the United States, and via eBay Global Shipping to all other countries, including Canada. I can ship this anywhere in the world, as long as your country will allow shipment of electronic/audio equipment from the United States (some countries, like Vietnam, will not – please check to be sure before bidding). Please note that on the customs declaration I must declare the full winning amount as the value of this shipment. The DAC2 HGC contains a universal switching-mode power supply and will run on 100 – 240 VAC, 50 – 60 Hz (Minimum and maximum operating range is specified as 90 – 260 VAC, 47 – 63 Hz). This unit is supplied with the factory 120 VAC IEC power cord for use in the United States and Canada. You’ll have to contact a local dealer to obtain a power cord for use in other countries. Dealers in other countries are listed on Benchmark’s web site. The DAC2 HGC has a list price of $1995 USD. Here’s a chance to buy one in like-new condition for several hundred dollars less.