Random Dac1 USB question

I was just reading the DAC1 USB review on Stereophile and they mention the high rez version of the Beatles Love being played through the Benchmark? I thought that you needed HDMI or Multichannel Analog to get full DVD-A resolution? If it's only 2 channel is it enough bandwidth to go digital with it or am I missing something?

I know this might be a stupid post but I'm having a stupid moment right now.

"Fed high-resolution data, such as the DVD version of the Beatles' Love remixes (Capitol 9463-79810-2), with which the Ayre player will output a 96kHz stream, such low-level details as the birds in the background of "Because" were clearly outlined without the high frequencies being thrust forward at the listener."

thanks,

jim

Hey Jim - The Benchmark DAC1 USB can do 24/96 natively. There are only a limited number of DACs that will do this via USB. I have one and use it all the time. Other DACs that can do 24/96 via USB are from Wavelength Audio and Empirical Audio to name a couple.

Chris,

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I know that it can do 24/96 native. What I didn't know was that DVD-A could be downconverted to 2 channel and still be 24/96? are there any other players out there besides the Arye that does this? I figured that it would be downconverted to something lower than 24/96.

jim

All the DVD-A discs that I own have a multi-channel mix and a two channel mix, or if they have multi-channel only my Lexicon player would downmix them in the native resolution. I think all DVD-A players will downmix multichannel for two channel output. The DVD Audio ripping application that I use will downmix a multi-channel mix as well. For example I have Natalie Merchant's album Tigerlily as a DVD-A discs and I ripped it to my Mac as a downmixed two channel version.

Is this kind of what you were looking for?

Chris,

Ok, so yes the Lex downmixes the multi to 2 channel but does it maintain the 24/96 resolution or 24/48 resolution like some of the older DVD-A disks out there, like BNL's Maroon or does it downmix to a lower resolution. And when it it downmixed do you output it analog or can digital carry the bandwidth of the downmix if it stays at the 24/96 or 24/48 resolution? That's what I'm trying to get it. If the Arye in the review downmixed the DVD-A multichannel cause it's only a 5.1 mix on that DVD-a, no 2 channel, I'm assuming it was going out through the digital outs to the Benchmark to do the DAC. . .so I would assume digital out can carry bandwidth of 2 channel 24/96 or is it downmixed to a lower resolution to carry through the digital outs of the player after donmixed?

on a lighter note. . .you mention a program you use rip dvd-a to your mac. . .might I ask what you use?

thanks alot,

jimi

ps sorry for the confusion. i just always thought dvd-a had to go out via hdmi or multichannel analog.

You ask all the tough questions Jim!

I have my suspicions that this downmix does keep the 24/96 bit rate, but I can't prove it because I have since sold my Lexicon RT-10. I always used the analog output on my unit.

I can answer with 100% certainty that the Ayre was outputting the digital stream because the standard Benchmark DAC1 USB has no analog inputs. Only the new DAC1 PRE has analog inputs. I have to assume the downmix sent out via digital stream was 24/96.

Sorry I am a bunch of speculation on this one and no solid answers :-(

As far as ripping DVD-A discs I suggest using DVD A Explorer available here http://rs285.rapidshare.com/files/111192252/DVDAExplorer2008.04.16.zip

This is the PC version since I know you're a PC guy.

"This is the PC version since I know you're a PC guy."

Ahhhh. . . .no way. I have seriously never used windows except for a project in college that had to be done in the lab that was all PC's due to it being some biostatistics class. I have used Mac OS my whole life. Learned on Mac. . . thank goodness my college was mostly MAc based or I would have been lost!

So. . . a Mac based program suggestion would be nice!

I just figured they were stupid questions that I asked. So one last question. When you rip your DVD-A's for backup it downmixes to 2 channel. Does it keep the original resolution? I'm guessing the format they go to are music so I can through them in iTunes and then put them out over USB?

Thanks for all the help! I'm really getting into this whole dump the media for one confined storage area! I just don't know alot about all the specifics.

HAve a good day,

jimi

Hey Jimi - Sorry for the confusion about Mac & PC! I was working with about four people at the same time when I posted my reply and confused you with someone else :-(

Now that I am clear about your Mac status I can offer better advice. The same program I mentioned above is available for Macs, but has some issues I haven't been able to get around. So, I started up Boot Camp and used the PC version. Send me an email and I'll chat offline about this one if you want.

The DVD-A rips don't automatically downmix. It is just an option for those discs without a 2 channel mix. I downmixed Tigerlily from Natalie Merchant and it did keep the 24/96 resolution and sounds wonderful. I then imported the album into iTunes and play it back via Benchmark DAC1 PRE.

I agree with you about having everything in one confined storage area. when all your music is at your fingertips you can enjoy it all so much more!

Hi Chris,

I tried the Mac version of that program and it didn't work for me either. Maybe you have to have the X11 environment installed or something - too complicated anyway!

Hey Peter - The Mac version can't handle the disc encryption unfortunately.

Ahh, OK, I couldn't even get it to start up (OSX 10.4.8). Thank goodness for Bootcamp/Parallels/Fusion!