Quote:
|
Originally Posted by shuttleboi
 seacard, that's great info. Can you give me some advice? I currently have a new Denon D5000 headphone attached to a decade-old DVD player though its headphone-output. I'm thinking of either: (1) keeping the DVD player and getting a Benchmark DAC-1 for $995; or (2) getting the Sony XA5400ES (or other sub-$1500 player). In either case, I would pipe the output to a Woo Audio 6 headphone amp. If I get the SACD player, I would probably buy no more than a handful of SACDs, if any.
What do think is the better route? How do you compare the Benchmark DAC1 to the XS5400ES? |
Also, I am in the objectivist / Audio Critic camp, so I truly believe that the DAC1 is a "perfect" DAC. But you may like another DAC better because you find its "imperfections" more pleasing to your ear.
I think the Benchmark is a little more forward-sounding, a little more aggressive, and a tad leaner/brighter. Some people think that's natural and how music actually sounds. Some people think it's thin, or too bright, or too edgy. The nice thing is that you can demo the Benchmark for 30 days and return it if you don't like it. Same with Sony (if you buy from Sony Style).
