Benchmark DAC-1 96k version vs 192 version?

**Jules** · 3rd February 2005, 08:13 PM

Anyone done the upgrade?

If so whats it like?

I belive they are 192 as standard now

I think I have a 96k version and may send it in for the upgrade.

Does the 'upsample' to 192 make it a better sounding A/D than before? Or different sounding? I love mine so much I am scared to upgrade!!!!

OMF · 4th February 2005, 09:09 AM

Hmm

what's with this upgrade? I have heared talk about it, but there is nothing on Benchmark's website.

greets

Tim

lowland · 4th February 2005, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jules
I love mine so much I am scared to upgrade!!!!

I know what you mean, Jules! I too love my 96k DAC-1 for mastering and am thinking of getting a second one for an analogue chain now I've been so taken with the Chandler LTD-2 compressors - that's a whole thread in itself, the Chandlers are seriously fab if words like thick, rich, creamy or warm describe the kind of sound you like. As I've said in Mr Blackwood's forum, I don't think they'll suit everything that comes through the door but maybe half the mixes I get would benefit

One feature of the DAC-1 I find very useful for editing/checking/QC is the good headphone amp.

Ruphus · 4th February 2005, 01:35 PM

Where did you get the 96k examples? I think mine to be of the first batch and it is capable of 28 to 192 kHz.

Ruphus

Ruphus · 4th February 2005, 01:46 PM

PS: I think I just rememberred that the first DAC-1 were capable of 192 kHz, but only meant for 96k, right?
Ok, then forget about my remark.

**Riccardo** · 4th February 2005, 02:30 PM

Nigel
Get one for your analog chain!
And keep us updated on the Chandlers!

If I remember well they were all 192 kHz compatible but only capable of playing back a 192 kHz s/r stream with 96 kHz bandwidth.

I've got a mirror face and a standard one.

Atticus, Bob O. John Siau....any ideas?

Nevelicious · 4th February 2005, 02:34 PM

I had the upgrade done. I AM VERY PLEASED THAT I DID IT! For $50 you get the chip and they can give you a dented pot! I did not have a dented pot on my 96K version. The 192 chip does sound better. I thought I was hearing things but after talking with guys at Benchmark they said it does make an improvement. BEST $50 I spent in awhile!

**Riccardo** · 4th February 2005, 03:14 PM

is it user upgradeable?

How do you recognise them? Pretty sure my mirror face one is 96K only, the other one has a semi-stepped volume pot.

Jules!

who to contact now that Atticus doesn't work there anymore?

if it sounds better we want it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lowland · 4th February 2005, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Riccardo
Nigel
Get one for your analog chain!
And keep us updated on the Chandlers!

Hi Riccardo,

I won't be going ahead right away, but this is definitely on the cards. With a bit of juggling the analogue chain's ADC will be the HEDD, so that should keep things sweet.

I seem to recall Dave Hill suggested that HEDD processing should be post-compression, and my proposed setup would agree with that (also in all-digital mode where it follows the Sintefex) though I can't imagine it being a major problem elsewhere. Anyone else have thoughts on it?

rowdy322 · 4th February 2005, 10:57 PM

I got the 192 one from Nevelicious and it is fabulous.What a wonderful, clean sound.Now if mama can pull me away from the speakers long enough, I might be able to eat a bite.

atticus · 4th February 2005, 11:43 PM

LOL. I didn't even find out about the upgrade until I heard about it here a few weeks ago. I guess I'll have to send mine in....

Don S · 5th February 2005, 05:48 AM

Yes!

Just had it done. I had originally called Benchmark because the pot was making noise. I'm not sure I can hear any difference after the new chip. Especially since I record at 88.2. But, they sent me a demo while mine was in the shop. Jaime was a pleasure to talk to and extremely helpful. I was surprised, I figured they were another huge faceless corporation. Not the case.

Don

claveslave · 10th March 2005, 11:50 PM

Can anyone point me in the right direction regarding info on this upgrade?

Thanks.

h4nc0 · 11th March 2005, 12:51 AM

I am also interested in the upgrade info. Hope it's user upgradable.

fifthcircle · 11th March 2005, 01:02 AM

Heard about it at AES, but I haven't had a break long enough from work that I can be without it...

I guess I'll have to buy a second so I can do this...

--Ben

Albert · 11th March 2005, 01:37 AM

As far as I know it is not user upgradeable, you have to send it in to Benchmark. This has been on my list of things to do for a while, so maybe now is the time...

not_so_new · 29th April 2005, 04:11 AM

I have an older DAC-1 (I have had it for about a year and a half) how do I know if it has the 192 chip in it or not?? I would assume it is the 96khz version.

Okay so let me see if I have this right. If I have an older 96khz version, I can play 192khz source info back but it will only play at 96khz right? It will still work but it will not playback at 192 so it will "sound" like 96 to me?

How long does it take Benchmark to turn around the unit for the mod? Also $50 right, and just contact Benchmark directly?

Don S · 29th April 2005, 04:28 AM

Michael,

A good way to tell is by the pot. If it has grooves then it's new version. Mine had none and started to make noise after a couple months. Call Jamie and read him your serial number and he'll tell you.
Ben,
Same here - I told them how much I used it and they sent a "demo" to use while mine was worked on.

claveslave · 29th April 2005, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don S

Michael,

A good way to tell is by the pot. If it has grooves then it's new version. Mine had none and started to make noise after a couple months. Call Jamie and read him your serial number and he'll tell you.
Ben,
Same here - I told them how much I used it and they sent a "demo" to use while mine was worked on.

Hello Don

May I ask, Jamie who and what's the number? I'm in Australia and of course payed a small fortune for my DAC-1. My pot is smooth but unbearably noisy which I don't think is right for a device of this calibre.

Many thanks,

Peter

Don S · 29th April 2005, 01:44 PM

315-437-6300.
I can't remeber his last name, but there's only 1 Jamie. Just go to 'customer service" in the phone menu.
or benchmarkmedia.com

not_so_new · 29th April 2005, 03:55 PM

Quote:

A good way to tell is by the pot. If it has grooves then it's new version.

"Grooves"??? I assume you are talking about indents on the volume pot?? You are saying that on the new versions the pot is not a continuous variable pot it is stepped?

Mine is stepped (and I wish it had a bit better resolution because each step it a bit too much for me) so it is already a 192khz unit?

Thanks, sorry to be thick….

rknaub · 29th April 2005, 10:45 PM

Got mine back 2 weeks ago from the upgrade and it does sound better.

Do it!

Randy Knaub

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3rd February 2005, 08:13 PM	#1
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 11,813	Benchmark DAC-1 96k version vs 192 version? Anyone done the upgrade? If so whats it like? I belive they are 192 as standard now I think I have a 96k version and may send it in for the upgrade. Does the 'upsample' to 192 make it a better sounding A/D than before? Or different sounding? I love mine so much I am scared to upgrade!!!! __________________ Jules "...there are some amazing deals to be had in this right now. it brings battleship mixing closer to the jilted generation" - reptil

4th February 2005, 09:09 AM	#2
OMF Gear Head Join Date: May 2003 Location: Cape Town Posts: 48	Hmm what's with this upgrade? I have heared talk about it, but there is nothing on Benchmark's website. greets Tim __________________ No One Appreciates a Free Lunch

4th February 2005, 01:35 PM	#4
Ruphus Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Berlin / Germany Posts: 5,066	Where did you get the 96k examples? I think mine to be of the first batch and it is capable of 28 to 192 kHz. Ruphus __________________ "Am I the only one that tires of this "everything is subjective" watered-down-pop-culture-pseudo-philosophy bullshit?" Bravin Neff Wolgang Burr, former office leader of the German Chancellor before committee of inquiry: "You would not believe what unusual happens daily." "Patience, young Skywalker - let the object of your desires come to you." JTR "All thinking men are atheists." Ernest Hemingway

4th February 2005, 01:46 PM	#5
Ruphus Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Berlin / Germany Posts: 5,066	PS: I think I just rememberred that the first DAC-1 were capable of 192 kHz, but only meant for 96k, right? Ok, then forget about my remark. __________________ "Am I the only one that tires of this "everything is subjective" watered-down-pop-culture-pseudo-philosophy bullshit?" Bravin Neff Wolgang Burr, former office leader of the German Chancellor before committee of inquiry: "You would not believe what unusual happens daily." "Patience, young Skywalker - let the object of your desires come to you." JTR "All thinking men are atheists." Ernest Hemingway

4th February 2005, 02:30 PM	#6
Riccardo Mastering Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Always on the Run Posts: 1,470	Nigel Get one for your analog chain! And keep us updated on the Chandlers! If I remember well they were all 192 kHz compatible but only capable of playing back a 192 kHz s/r stream with 96 kHz bandwidth. I've got a mirror face and a standard one. Atticus, Bob O. John Siau....any ideas? __________________ Velvet Room Mastering "What quality level does it need to be? Personally, I work on mixes that range from marvellous to hideously diabolical.......I'd suggest you aim more towards the "marvellous" end of the scale!" - Darius van Helfteren -

4th February 2005, 02:34 PM	#7
Nevelicious Gear addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Worcester Ma Posts: 394	I had the upgrade done. I AM VERY PLEASED THAT I DID IT! For $50 you get the chip and they can give you a dented pot! I did not have a dented pot on my 96K version. The 192 chip does sound better. I thought I was hearing things but after talking with guys at Benchmark they said it does make an improvement. BEST $50 I spent in awhile!

4th February 2005, 03:14 PM	#8
Riccardo Mastering Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Always on the Run Posts: 1,470	is it user upgradeable? How do you recognise them? Pretty sure my mirror face one is 96K only, the other one has a semi-stepped volume pot. Jules! who to contact now that Atticus doesn't work there anymore? if it sounds better we want it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Velvet Room Mastering "What quality level does it need to be? Personally, I work on mixes that range from marvellous to hideously diabolical.......I'd suggest you aim more towards the "marvellous" end of the scale!" - Darius van Helfteren -

4th February 2005, 10:57 PM	#10
rowdy322 Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Jackson, Tn Posts: 1,051	I got the 192 one from Nevelicious and it is fabulous.What a wonderful, clean sound.Now if mama can pull me away from the speakers long enough, I might be able to eat a bite.

4th February 2005, 11:43 PM	#11
atticus Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,524	LOL. I didn't even find out about the upgrade until I heard about it here a few weeks ago. I guess I'll have to send mine in.... __________________ David Seymour Mytek Digital Analog Audio Works 330-354-1576 www.mytekdigital.com http://analogaudioworks.com/

5th February 2005, 05:48 AM	#12
Don S Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 707	Yes! Just had it done. I had originally called Benchmark because the pot was making noise. I'm not sure I can hear any difference after the new chip. Especially since I record at 88.2. But, they sent me a demo while mine was in the shop. Jaime was a pleasure to talk to and extremely helpful. I was surprised, I figured they were another huge faceless corporation. Not the case. Don

10th March 2005, 11:50 PM	#13
claveslave Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 17	Can anyone point me in the right direction regarding info on this upgrade? Thanks.

11th March 2005, 12:51 AM	#14
h4nc0 Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seoul, Korea Posts: 257	I am also interested in the upgrade info. Hope it's user upgradable.

11th March 2005, 01:02 AM	#15
fifthcircle Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,307	Heard about it at AES, but I haven't had a break long enough from work that I can be without it... I guess I'll have to buy a second so I can do this... --Ben __________________ Benjamin Maas Fifth Circle Audio Long Beach, CA http://www.fifthcircle.com

11th March 2005, 01:37 AM	#16
Albert Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,483	As far as I know it is not user upgradeable, you have to send it in to Benchmark. This has been on my list of things to do for a while, so maybe now is the time... __________________ http://www.misterpotts.com http://www.myspace.com/albypottsmusic

29th April 2005, 04:11 AM	#17
not_so_new Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,591	I have an older DAC-1 (I have had it for about a year and a half) how do I know if it has the 192 chip in it or not?? I would assume it is the 96khz version. Okay so let me see if I have this right. If I have an older 96khz version, I can play 192khz source info back but it will only play at 96khz right? It will still work but it will not playback at 192 so it will "sound" like 96 to me? How long does it take Benchmark to turn around the unit for the mod? Also $50 right, and just contact Benchmark directly? __________________ Michael

29th April 2005, 04:28 AM	#18
Don S Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 707	Michael, A good way to tell is by the pot. If it has grooves then it's new version. Mine had none and started to make noise after a couple months. Call Jamie and read him your serial number and he'll tell you. Ben, Same here - I told them how much I used it and they sent a "demo" to use while mine was worked on.

29th April 2005, 01:44 PM	#20
Don S Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 707	315-437-6300. I can't remeber his last name, but there's only 1 Jamie. Just go to 'customer service" in the phone menu. or benchmarkmedia.com

29th April 2005, 10:45 PM	#22
rknaub Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Gatos, CA Posts: 4	Got mine back 2 weeks ago from the upgrade and it does sound better. Do it! Randy Knaub

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