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Getting Benchmark DAC1

post #1 of 31
10/2/07 at 12:10pm
Thread Starter 
Hi I am planning to get a Benchmark DAC1 to goes with my Headamp GS-1. Is this a good setup or the internal amp of the DAC1 is better? Thanks.
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post #2 of 31
10/2/07 at 12:31pm
I wouldn't think the dac1 amp is better, but it's adequate to drive your most demanding headphones. Nevertheless the dac1 is an excellent 'dac' when paired with your gs-1.
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post #3 of 31
10/2/07 at 1:49pm
I have the very same setup. I bought the GS-1 a few months ago, and shortly after that, the DAC-1. I'm using Senn HD600's as my main headphones, which should benefit from a quality amp. I was dismayed to find that I couldn't tell much, if any, difference between the DAC's own amp and the GS-1.

I'm actually going to sell the GS-1, because I feel the DAC-1 is doing the job prefectly well for my needs. Don't take this as a definitive answer to your question though. Many people seem to feel the DAC-1 headphone amp is vastly inferior to GS-1, or even Gilmore Lite (which I also currently own).
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post #4 of 31
10/2/07 at 1:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by weemies View Post
Many people seem to feel the DAC-1 headphone amp is vastly inferior to GS-1, or even Gilmore Lite (which I also currently own).
From what i have read numerous time it is said that the headphones out of the DA10 is equal in SQ to a GS-1. Or was it Gilmore lite. Anyway it do a fine job running my HD650. It's a great one box solution.
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post #5 of 31
10/2/07 at 3:30pm
I too have the DAC1-USB and GS-1, and I have been extremely pleased with this combination. The DAC1's internal amp is reputed to be very good, however I found that I did not especially like the sound of my AKG701's with it -- flat and somewhat harsh-sounding (and my K701s were thoroughly broken in). When I fed the DAC1 into the GS-1 and then tried the K701s, the difference was incredible -- GS-1 brought the K701s to life in all aspects - soundstaging, detail, smoothness, etc. So, whether or not using an external amp such as the GS-1 with the DAC1 will make a big difference in SQ will probably depend a lot on what phones are used. I'm not sure of the engineering behind this but clearly it seems to be the "synergy" thing again.
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post #6 of 31
10/2/07 at 3:37pm
I have a DAC1usb and i had a gsx before, i never did a direct comparison so you can do what you want with the impression i tell you.

I would say the main difference you get most off from the gs1 will be more power for the high imped headphones and a better imaging and sound stage.
other then that i think the two are a spit off from each other. the dac1 has a great headphone amp but it rocks mainly with low imped solid state friendly headphones, the hd600's and 650's will want more juice if you listen with some volume. pairing the dac1 with my Raptor is almost a match made in heaven, so i think you'll get much more of a sonic difference using a tube amp. if you listen at low volumes you may want to keep the headphone out on the dac1 as your solid state and get a tube amp later on.

if you think you may use the dac1 with a pc then get the usb and run some studio monitors..holy Amazing pc sound!
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post #7 of 31
10/2/07 at 4:04pm
I have the dac1, gcha and opera and here's how I rate the amps on these (this is using the dac1 as the source):

1. Opera
2. GCHA
3. DAC1 (amp)

All these amps have plenty power to drive my hd650 but I find that the opera and GCHA is less fatiguing to listen to and both amps are warmer compared to the dac1 amp. Also the dac1 seems a little bright at times.

What I recommend is do a careful comparison between your gs1 and dac1 doing so with a longer session. Try different musical genre and observe the sonic highs and lows between the 2 amps.
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post #8 of 31
10/2/07 at 6:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bhd812 View Post

if you think you may use the dac1 with a pc then get the usb and run some studio monitors..holy Amazing pc sound!
Even if not using a pc, running the DAC1 directly to the amp for your speakers or active monitors is terrific. (In fact, I did not own a pair of headphones when I bought the DAC1 but was at an audio reviewer's house and heard the DAC1 used in lieu of some fairly expensive cd players and pre-amps and was sold.)

I now use the DAC1 with the AKG 701 and Beyer dt880('03) and dt990. Particularly with the dt990, the synergy using the DAC1's amp seems especially good (but comparison with separate head amps is limited).
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post #9 of 31
10/2/07 at 8:26pm
I've just got the DAC1 (silver desktop, very nice piece of industrial design) and am using the ALO-recabled K701 with it. I just did a quick comparison of the DAC1's headphone amp with my usual Sugden Headmaster (connected via Townshend DCT-300 i/c) and the DAC1 is very good. Bit drier/brighter and less tonally rich perhaps, but very close in most respects. It drives the K701 easily.

A very capable design imho. I would concur the DAC1 veers towards some brightness (my vinyl is a smoother ride for sure) but the extent to which it is a reflection of the source material is debatable. The pro-audio users who like it say it's accurate.
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post #10 of 31
10/2/07 at 9:17pm
For me, the DAC1 USB headphone output matches the quality of the dac section. But it needs plenty of run-in to shed off some hardness. You will be rewarded with no noise, superb control and no distortion output. In short, very neutral, transparent and reference quality.

It does sound different from other amps I've tried - I think because other amps might add some harmonic distortion under load and because we might be used to having an 'interconnect' sound.

But the more I listen to it with the DT 880s, I feel that I am reaching the pinnacle of headphone playback. This remains to be seen, but I think I have hit contentment with this set-up !

Enjoy!

cansman
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post #11 of 31
10/3/07 at 12:57am
Thread Starter 
I see thanks. I would be using them to power my HD650 most of the time.
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post #12 of 31
10/3/07 at 8:15pm
From the very long Benchmark thread, I believe the Benchmark guys designed the headphone output section with the HD650s, 600s and Ultrasone cans. So your HD650s will be in good company.

I also have the HD650s and the Benchmark more than does justice with these cans - effortless delivery! Just give a long run-in like all other high-end equipment.

Cheers!
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post #13 of 31
10/3/07 at 9:49pm
Hi all,
I just got my DAC1 USB this Tuesday. It's just great. Very detailed, clean, and clear sound. How much play time does it require for it to settle??

Thanks!
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post #14 of 31
10/3/07 at 11:02pm
My estimate is around 300 + hours. The sound becomes more 'liquid' and less stark. But even out of the box - it's very good!
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post #15 of 31
10/4/07 at 1:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cansman View Post
My estimate is around 300 + hours. The sound becomes more 'liquid' and less stark. But even out of the box - it's very good!
I don't suppose leaving the unit constantly powered count as burn-in? Must I connect and play? I need my laptop for school...
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