Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › DAC Shoot out: Benchmark DAC1, Bel Canto DAC2, & Grace m902
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

DAC Shoot out: Benchmark DAC1, Bel Canto DAC2, & Grace m902 - Page 4

post #46 of 60
10/5/09 at 6:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ayt999 View Post
I would say the DAC's in the comparison are very good DAC's, but not in the upper range. my CDP's DAC is better, and it's not even a fancy independent DAC but a DAC within the player.

there are lots of upgrades left for you to try Ed.
I think there's lots of confusion in this thread (and on the forum in general) about the term "better".

If you are of the opinion that distortions that change the sound in some way can sound "nice", then I can accept that some DAC's are "better" than the DAC1.

However, if we are interested in fidelity, objectively there is nothing better than a DAC1. Its performance is class-leading and it adds, nor takes away nothing from the source material. It does not have any sound of its own. This is explained by how it benchmarks. The distortion it adds is borderline unmeasureable and certainly inaudible. Therefore it merely presents the music as recorded.

Any other dac that sounds markedly different cannot be so and therefore to describe that as "better" is a debatable point I think.
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #47 of 60
10/6/09 at 2:20am
Chippy99, maybe aty999's opinion has changed in the last four and a half years?
Reply
post #48 of 60
10/6/09 at 3:21am
maybe aty999 has already forgotten about this thread
Reply
post #49 of 60
10/6/09 at 3:48am
ayt999 > Chippy99

therefore

ayt999's CDP > DAC1
Reply
post #50 of 60
10/6/09 at 8:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by priest View Post
Chippy99, maybe aty999's opinion has changed in the last four and a half years?
Sorry! Yes I spotted that after I posted. That's the problem when searching for some info and then getting distracted. I didn't notice the dates! Doh!
Reply
post #51 of 60
10/6/09 at 8:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by some1x View Post
ayt999 > Chippy99

therefore

ayt999's CDP > DAC1
And also, Some1x = clueless
Reply
post #52 of 60
10/6/09 at 10:28pm
I have ED's Modded BC2 & find it better then the DAC1 for my situation. My headphones are very neutral & analytical & I have a bright amp.. The DAC1 might have been too much.
Reply
post #53 of 60
10/7/09 at 9:32pm
i dunno but i think the M902 is just a great piece of gear....it's just pleasant to listen to, look at, and play with. i would never take a DAC1 over it especially if you are mainly doing headphone listening or monitoring but that's just me. i guess you can see that i really like the M902.
Reply
post #54 of 60
10/8/09 at 1:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. nice View Post
i dunno but i think the M902 is just a great piece of gear....it's just pleasant to listen to, look at, and play with. i would never take a DAC1 over it especially if you are mainly doing headphone listening or monitoring but that's just me. i guess you can see that i really like the M902.
Without commenting on the sound, I will say that the m902 is a fantastic machine, fun to look at and use. The DAC1 functionality pales in comparison, although it does have a certain utilitarian appeal.
Reply
post #55 of 60
10/8/09 at 2:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by priest View Post
Without commenting on the sound, I will say that the m902 is a fantastic machine, fun to look at and use. The DAC1 functionality pales in comparison, although it does have a certain utilitarian appeal.
agreed without commenting on the sound which is smooth sounding all around except for the slight graininess in the highs. obviously it should in the end be about what sounds best but it's just a very well made product all around and if you can find one used 1100 to 1200 US then it's a GR8 deal. i actually went back to a DA10 and though i like the sound of the Lavry more (it's just a better DAC) it is not nearly as enjoyable to have around and play with so i just had to REBUY an M902b again
Reply
post #56 of 60
10/9/09 at 1:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. nice View Post
agreed without commenting on the sound which is smooth sounding all around except for the slight graininess in the highs. obviously it should in the end be about what sounds best but it's just a very well made product all around and if you can find one used 1100 to 1200 US then it's a GR8 deal. i actually went back to a DA10 and though i like the sound of the Lavry more (it's just a better DAC) it is not nearly as enjoyable to have around and play with so i just had to REBUY an M902b again
That is a major rebuy. I hope I don't end up doing that one day.
Reply
post #57 of 60
10/9/09 at 1:23am
i did a similar shootout a while back, but mine was with Mytek Stereo 96, Benchmark, Lavry, EMM Labs, and Cambridge DAC Magic.

My preferences

1.)Mytek Stereo 96..very smooth,"analogueish" sound, but euphonics did not come at the expense of any high or low frequencies..everything there in balance.

2.) cambridge DAC Magic-- this was a surprise. really great sound, and less strident/"hifi" than the Benchmark. amazing box, especially price considered..

3.) EMM Labs-- super detailed, amazing clarity...but too much "sizzle" for me

4.) Benchmark- same as above, but with less bass extension than the EMM.

5.) lavry-- simply too colored.

I now own 2 myteks and one dac magic.
Reply
post #58 of 60
10/9/09 at 7:13am
Mytek makes great converters at a great price. They compare with anything out there in the Pro Audio world.
Reply
post #59 of 60
10/9/09 at 7:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by priest View Post
That is a major rebuy. I hope I don't end up doing that one day.
tell me about it
Reply
post #60 of 60
10/9/09 at 11:46am
First I want to thank mr.nice for selling his old m902 to me.
All I can say is that I totally enjoy the m902 now.

When I audited different DAC or AMP, I fould DA10 is pretty good with my GS-1000, even though I don't have enough time on it.
The judgement may be also biased because I audit Corda Symphony right before DA10, while Symphony is a bad fit with GS-1000.
I do think you need another amp for DA10 though..
That's the main reason I didn't go for DA10 or DA11.

I like m902 and Auditor when my audition.
Also m902 is a DAC/AMP instead of a standalone amp.
That's the main reason I was looking for used m902 in a reasonable price.

Thanks again, mr.nice~
You make my days~~




Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. nice View Post
agreed without commenting on the sound which is smooth sounding all around except for the slight graininess in the highs. obviously it should in the end be about what sounds best but it's just a very well made product all around and if you can find one used 1100 to 1200 US then it's a GR8 deal. i actually went back to a DA10 and though i like the sound of the Lavry more (it's just a better DAC) it is not nearly as enjoyable to have around and play with so i just had to REBUY an M902b again
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › DAC Shoot out: Benchmark DAC1, Bel Canto DAC2, & Grace m902