DAC Shoot out: Benchmark DAC1, Bel Canto DAC2, & Grace m902

Well, Iron_Dreamer, Jasper994, and I had a little mini-meet today.

This time under more ideal power conditions.

Transports:

RME digi96/8 PAD
Chaintech AV710


DAC's:

Benchmark DAC1
Bel Canto DAC2
Grace m902 (internal DAC)


Amps:

Benchmark DAC1
Grace m902


Digital IC's:

MCM Glass Optical Cables 1M (x2)
eBay Glass Optical Cables 1M, 2m, & 3M


Power Cables:

Quail Hospital Grade Cords (egads, they're everywhere!)
PS Audio xStream Plus 2M (x2)


Power Conditioning/Regeneration:

PS Audio P300 (on a dedicated line)


Headphones:

Sony MDR-R10
AKG K1000
Sennheiser HD650 w/ Zu Cable
Grado MS2 (old style)
Where quite a few other headphones present, but we didn't have time to get to them.




SHORT VERDICT:

The overall winner so far is the Benchmark DAC1.

Second Place: Bel Canto DAC2

Third Place: Grace m902


THE LONG STORY:

Using a headphone switchbox (Ray Samuels style), the main test was between these setups:

1. Bel Canto DAC2 -> Grace m902
2. Benchmark DAC1
3. Grace m902

Please note that we went with the headphone switchbox solution because we ran into a problem/limitation with using the same amp (namely the Grace m902) to switch between the Bel Canto DAC2 and Benchmark DAC1's analog outputs. The Grace m902 has unbalanced and balanced inputs that appeared to be isolated from each other with a relay. Unfortunately, when having both unbalanced and balanced analog signals fed into the m902 at the same time, there was a noticeable shift in volume level in the left channel when switching to unbalanced from balanced. This either means that the Balanced and Unbalanced are not totally isolated from each other, or there is some defect or problem with my m902.
So, trying to compare purely one DAC to another DAC with the same Amp was not possible with our setup at the time.


Comments on the Benchmark DAC1.

High frequency = more detail, tighter focus.

Low Frequency = tighter bass, quicker. Less smearing. Less is more when it comes to bass. I think that the allegations that the DAC1 has less bass is both right and wrong, depending how you look at it. It's less bass in the fact that you are hearing less of distorted smeared low frequency. You are hearing in fact, more accurate bass. A specific example is in the way that timpani drum strikes are tighter when listening to orchestra music. Having heard the real thing, the Benchmark is closer to it.

Now here's the interesting part. Overall, the tonal qualities (color of the sound) are nearly identical between the Benchmark DAC1 and the Bel Canto DAC2 + Grace m902 combination.
Yes, that's right. I did not find the harmonics (impressions of it being warm, cool, bright, or dark, etc.) to be significantly different between the two.

It would seem that the placebo plagued memory is alot stronger than most people would care to admit.


Comments on the Bel Canto DAC2.

Very slight here, but it feels as if treble transient sounds trail (smearing) a little bit longer than the Benchmark.
Soundstage is where the Bel Canto and Benchmark very slighty. The Bel Canto "feels" like the soundstage is a bit more upfront and wider.
As far as Bass, there seems to be a bit more "texture" in the bass. But whether it is distortion or actual information is unknown, since I was not there for the actual recording sessions, nor do I have access to the studio master at the recording studio.


Comments on the Grace m902.

The m902's DAC section is simply not up to par with the Benchmark or Bel Canto. The treble is not as detailed and resolved as quickly. The soundstage is smaller, the bass is not as tight as the Benchmark either.

While the DAC in the m902 is a significant improvement over the 901, it's still a step back from the Benchmark and Bel Canto.

I'll admit, the m902 is a control freak's dream, though. The volume control is simply amazing.

But much like the 901, the m902 is a Headphone amp first, DAC second. But at least both were improved.


The next step is to mod the Bel Canto DAC2 and see how it fares against the Benchmark. That is unless Iron_Dreamer beats me to modding his Benchmark first.

-Ed

That box under the DAC1 is a digital audio switcher. Used it to switch between the digital outputs of two computers.




Iron_Dreamer, Jasper944, and my friend "Shogmaster" (he won't register here, he still think's I'm crazy to have spent so much on headphones)


We ended up watching some HD movies and cranking the volume on my speakers until the neighbors complained. Luckily they were not home.

-Ed

I had considered buying a newer pair of R10's. I haven't replaced the ear pads yet because, I may upgrade the cable. And to do so, means ripping the ear pads off. I did finally get a perfect pair of ear pads after RMA'ing the defective one. Kohn was very helpful on that.

As for the "too many features" it is really nice to be able to able to use the same headphone amp for nearly everything near my desk. I can use the USB input for one computer, SPDIF (coaxial) from another computer, it's a connection wh*re.

-Ed

Nope. But if you go too long, some DAC's have trouble getting a signal lock and can have a lot of drop outs, popping, etc. It's not pretty. But if you go too long, you'll know. It's kind of all or nothing. You'll be hard pressed to find optical toslink cables longer than 3 meters.

Otherwise, it's so difficult to hear any difference.

-Ed

We used the headphone switch box, so we used the DAC1's amp. We had problems with the balanced vs. unbalanced outputs with the Grace m902. I'm going to have to contact Grace Design about that one.


DLP.

Samsung.

-Ed

Unfortunately, it doesn't look possible to do without removing the ear pads. And as you know, the only way to remove them is riiiiiiiiiip.

If you have Larry do it, ask him to use the cloth like Multifilament Nylon tech flex. That is if he can't salvage the silk.

When I eventually reterminate mine, I will probably do so with a balanced connection.

-Ed