Hi Carl, This is way off-topic for this list but I'll to try and answer your question somewhat: The DAC2 brochure states that it uses 32 bit converters and that narrows the field of available DACs considerably. One 32 bit DAC (the ESS Tech Sabre series) has digital attenuation built into the DSP block which performs the oversampling and that could be a clue. Benchmark talks about “inter-sample overs” which they are apparently accommodating with their extended headroom. With 32 bit float to work with, Benchmark could simply be moving the overall bandwith down to accommodate those quarks (inter-sample overs). One has to remember that at 32 bits, the noise floor is well below anything that can be built to play it so there’s lots of room to move. At this point, Benchmark is keeping the engineering details close to the vest so we’ll have to wait and see just how they are performing the digital gymnastics. Some of the scientific types are wondering just why Benchmark went there in the first place since the vast majority of design engineers agree that inter-sample overs happen so quickly, they are inaudible. Most agree that analog fixed point is the dominant standard and some suspect they (Benchmark) are trying to cheat mother nature. Benchmark is known for not promoting hype so the jury is still out. Cheers! Corey Corey Bailey Audio Engineering http://www.baileyzone.net ________________________________ From: Carl Pultz <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2012 5:29 PM Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Benchmark DAC1 Silver faced, plus original packaging and manual Nope, but DSD downloads are the latest rage now with something called DoP allowing integration with traditional PCM environments. Check Channel Classics. And, owners of a Playstation 1 can rip SACDs through some hackery. The new box has more inputs, digital pass-through, and an interesting digital attenuation scheme, in parallel with analog, depending on the input. Some say async USB is better, and the driver supports higher rates, though the one unit I tried of that type wasn't as good sonically as the DAC1. I'd like to know more about this +3.5 dBfs headroom deal... Sorry, list, this is probably too off topic. I meant to write to Tom privately. -----Original Message----- From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tom Fine Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 7:28 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Benchmark DAC1 Silver faced, plus original packaging and manual I don't see what that does different from the DAC1Pre. Where can you get something that streams DSD? SACD players don't, do they? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carl Pultz" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 6:32 PM Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Benchmark DAC1 Silver faced, plus original packaging and manual > Tom, did you see that they've released a DAC2? Drool, drool, want! > > -----Original Message----- > From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tom Fine > Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 6:12 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: [ARSCLIST] Benchmark DAC1 Silver faced, plus original packaging and > manual > > For sale, an excellent condition, unscuffed and perfectly working Benchmark > DAC1. Just like this one > that recently sold on eBay: > http://www.ebay.com/itm/Benchmark-DAC1-Digital-to-Analog-Convertor-Silver-Fa > ce-/110963108676 > > Except this one comes with the original box and manual. Also included is the > BNC-to-RCA adapter for > the coaxial SPDIF input. > > $575 with free shipping to USA addresses. > > Ping off-list if interested. > > -- Tom Fine >