Benchmark DAC1 now available with USB

[humanflyz]

Originally Posted by The Monkey

Are there any other balanced output USB DACs on the market?

The Stello DA220 MKII, the Aqvox USB2 D/A MKII, Apogee Mini

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Originally Posted by The Monkey

Are there any other balanced output USB DACs on the market?

Does HeadRoom's implementation of their DACs in the balanced Home and Max count?

So what can the DAC1 USB input ($300) do that can't be accomplished by the M-Audio Transit ($60)? They're both bit-perfect at 24/96... do ya'll think Benchmark will publish jitter measurements?

[thomaspf]

I think we know the M-audio transit supports 24/96 and is bit perfect but it comes with a custom driver.

The standard driver does support 24/96 but unless you use kernel streaming either direct or with ASIO4all it is not bit perfect.


Cheers

Thomas

[audioengr]

Originally Posted by Herandu

Oh boy. More snake oil. The line output is voltage dependent, not current dependent. The input to your amplifier is specified in terms of Volts. Like 2V RMS. SO why do they need a high current going in t perhaps a 47K input on your amp? To blow your amp input up?
I pass.

High-current output drivers just really means low output impedance. This is ALWAYS a good thing. Most expensive preamps have around 7-10 ohms output impedance.

Steve N.

[audioengr]

Originally Posted by thomaspf

I think we know the M-audio transit supports 24/96 and is bit perfect but it comes with a custom driver.

The standard driver does support 24/96 but unless you use kernel streaming either direct or with ASIO4all it is not bit perfect.


Cheers

Thomas

Right, that is my undestanding too. Also, read this:

All audio streams go through Windows' Kmixer to the USB device. To be sure Kmixer does not affect the quality of audio, we tested it extensively and found it to perform exactly as it should.

They evidently don't hear the effect of KMIXER with Win2K or XP either

Steve N.

[Davesrose]

Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy

So what can the DAC1 USB input ($300) do that can't be accomplished by the M-Audio Transit ($60)? They're both bit-perfect at 24/96... do ya'll think Benchmark will publish jitter measurements?

Measurements from a 3rd party...would assume USB implimentation would yield similar results as their traditional inputs:

http://www.stereophile.com/digitalpr...86/index4.html

[Joey_V]

Originally Posted by humanflyz

The Stello DA220 MKII, the Aqvox USB2 D/A MKII, Apogee Mini

And PS Audio Digital Link III.

[J-Pak]

Slightly worrying they can't tell the difference with kmixer in the signal path and without :stoic:

Anyone that has any experience, would easily be able to discern a difference.

[clarkc]

Originally Posted by gregeas

I'm a fan of the DAC1 but coincidentally sold mine this week to fund a Slimdevices Transporter purchase.

Gregeas, interesting comment. I am planning to move to PC-based audio and am also contemplating the Transporter or a good USB DAC (was considering Stello 220 MkII, now also DAC1). What prompted you to go for the change?

Thanks, Clark

[darkless]

For what it's worth, I decided to go with the Stello DA220 MkII, coming from my AQVOX USB 2 D/A MkI. It's currently on backorder, so I should hopefully receive it in 3 weeks.