Digital-Audio Product Overview

Introduction: Digital Audio Converters

Benchmark digital audio converters have outstanding performance. The 24-bit, 96-kHz converters push the THD+N limit to -110 dB (0.00028%). CCIF intermodulation distortion is a phenomenal -128 dBFS (0.00004%) with 19 and 20 kHz tones input at -1 dBFS. All converters have an ultra low intrinsic jitter of approximately 9 pS or less. The AD-2404/08 converters take jitter induced sideband performance to -146 dBFS, i.e. un-measurable side tone generation due to jitter. The new UltraLock™ technology found in the DAC1 and the ADC-104, and the DAC-104 take jitter feed-through to a place where is is un-measurable!

Find out why jitter performance is absolutely critical to your converters sound performance in this application note. Also, see the explanation of UltraLock™. Please note: virtually no other converter manufacturer publishes the FFT jitter analysis of their converter's performance.

All A-to-D converters come standard with 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 96 kHz sample rates. These units also include a varispeed mode which allows operation at any sampling frequency between 28 kHz and 100 kHz.

All A-to-D converters feature 9 segment digital meters that provide a coarse scale for signal presence monitoring, and a fine scale for precise level monitoring near Full Scale Digital. Full Scale Digital (FSD) detection is exact.

A-to-D Converters

ADC-104 Four Channel 24-bit, 96-kHz, A-to-D Converter Module

The four-channel ADC-104 System 1000 A-to-D converter card provides 24-bit, 96-kHz A-to-D conversion in a modular card-frame format.. The ADC-104 module is the companion of the DAC-104, four channel D-to-A. The card-frame System 1000 will house up to 48-channels of conversion in one 3RU package.

These digital modules are extensively shielded and happily coexist with analog modules, even side-by-side with microphone preamplifiers. The MDA-101 or the MDA-102 mic-pre Power DAs™ compliment the ADC-104. This versatility makes this system ideal for mixed signal applications, such as in edit suites and recording studios.

One of the primary benefits of the ADC-104 has to do with jitter. The new UltraLock™ Technology from Benchmark eliminates the effect of the normal jitter that is at a reference input. More...

AD2404-96 Four Channel 24-bit, 96-kHz, A-to-D Converter

The AD2404-96 is a four channel Analog to Digital converter which provides word lengths up to 24-Bit, and sample rates up to 96 kHz.

THD+N performance of -110 dB at -1 dBFS, and 117 dB dynamic range. It has variable word lengths of 16, 20, and 24-bit. When operating in either the 16, or 20-bit modes, it provides selectable TPDF or noise-shaped re-dithering. The AD2408-96 has sample rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, and varispeed. Internal clock jitter is un-measurable: the phase-lock-loop totally eliminates jitter sidebands. The AD2408-96's PLL provides ultra clean lockup to an AES reference. I/O options available include AES/EBU, AES3id (BNC), and S/PDIF. The AD2404-96 is available in either a 1/3 wide 1RU high chassis or a full width (19 inch) chassis. The full width chassis version of the AD2404-96 has dual word length outputs. With it, 24-bit and 16-bit outputs are simultaneously available. This allows both master and noise-shaped safety backup recordings to be made at the same time, from the same converter.

AD2408-96 Eight Channel 24-bit, 96-kHz, A-to-D Converter

The AD2408-96 is the eight channel version of the AD2404-96. It is only available in a full width 19 inch, 1RU chassis and does not have simultaneous word length outputs.

AD2402-96 - Portable, Two Channel 24-bit, 96-kHz A-to-D Converter

The AD2402-96 is a portable two-channel version of the AD2404-96. It is the only portable converter in it's class and provides uncompromising performance. The AD2402-96 is specifically designed for portable applications. It is ideal for recording film audio, location video, small ensemble groups, interviews, sound effects libraries, live concerts, and any other application where small size, light weight, and uncompromising performance is required. The AD2402-96 has features only found in the best studio converters.
 

D-to-A Converters

DAC1 Two Channel 24-bit, 96-kHz D-to-A Converter

The DAC1 is a two-channel, 24-bit, 96-kHz Digital-to-Analog audio converter. The DAC1 is perhaps one of the more significant recent advances in digital audio conversion technology. The DAC1 provides some of the finest analog conversion through 96-kHz, and will play back 192-kHz with a 48-kHz analog bandwidth. The performance of the DAC1 is unrivaled. THD+N is an astonishing low -106 dB (0.0005%) measured at 0 dBFS, at any playback frequency, at any sample rate, with any degree of input jitter, and it just gets better from there.
 

DAC-104 Four Channel 24-bit, 96-kHz Cardframe D-to-A Converter Module

DAC-104 is a four-channel, 24-bit, 96-kHz Digital-to-Analog audio converter module for the System 1000 audio card frame. A 12 card frame will house 48-channels with 96 analog outputs (two outputs per channel).

Redundant Power Systems

PS-202D Redundant Power Supply

When systems are created that require redundant power, the new external PS-202D provides redundant power for up to six eight-channel converter systems. It can also be operated in a dual non-redundant mode to power twelve eight-channel converter systems.

Now facilities can use the digital console or signal router of their choice, without having to accept poor converter performance! The AD2404-96, AD2408-96, and the ADA2008, all provide eight channels of ultra high performance. They are housed in a compact but rugged 1 RU chassis, with internal or external power, and a choice of digital interface. Protect your investment: enter the digital age with next-generation performance levels at the same price as offerings from other manufacturers. And yes, you can hear the difference!!!