BALANCED AND ANALOG VOLUME
Benchmark’s new tone on balanced headphones and analog volume caught my eye.
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BALANCED AND UNBALANCED I/O
The headphone output of the THX-888 amplifier features a 1/4" TRS and a 4-pin XLR. Both outputs deliver the full performance of the HPA4. However, we recommend the XLR4 due to its lower contact resistance. The HPA4 features two balanced stereo inputs and two unbalanced stereo inputs. The line amplifier provides one balanced stereo output, one balanced mono sum, and one unbalanced stereo output».
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THE ULTIMATE LINE AMPLIFIER
The THX-888 amplifier is driven by a Benchmark line amplifier that features relay gain control, relay input selection, and relay muting. The line amplifier incorporates the finest gold-contact relays available. The gain control has 256 steps in 0.5 dB increments. It also features a balance control. Relay closures are precisely timed to deliver silky-smooth volume changes. No other relay gain control offers this level of precision and performance. The HPA4 includes 4 independent 256-step attenuators: two for the L&R headphone outputs, and two for the L&R line outputs. To make this all happen, the HPA4 includes a total of 64 precision relays».
Does this mean Benchmark just changed their view on balanced headphones?
And do Benchmark claim that adjusting volume in the analog domain is more precise (neutral) than volume changes in the digital domain?
Background:
https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/13095789-volume-control-technologies
And:
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32-BIT DIGITAL VOLUME CONTROL
The
DAC2 has a 32-bit digital volume control that feeds the array of 32-bit D/A converters. This 32-bit connection allows the use of digital volume control without causing a loss of resolution. At an attenuation of 48 dB, all bits from a 24-bit input still reach the D/A converter. When the
DAC2 is properly gain-matched to a power amplifier, the noise produced by the
DAC2 will remain inaudible at all volume control settings. The XLR outputs on the
DAC2 are equipped with passive analog attenuators which should be used to optimize the gain range of the volume control. This hybrid volume control system is another key to the overall performance of the
DAC2. It allows optimization of the output level to match the input sensitivity of any power amplifier».
https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/audio-myth-balanced-headphone-outputs-are-better