Lavry DA11 VS Benchmark DAC-1 USB - anyone have any experiences with either DACs?

I was interested in both of these two but I'm also interested in something thats has asynchronous USB.

Are you sensitive to sibilance? If you are, you should try the DAC-1 before buying... I´ve tested it a few times and to me it seemed quite dry and harsh, not very smooth. The highs can get earpiercing with most dynamic headphones. No idea about the Lavry though, haven´t tried it. Oh and are you looking specifically for a headphone amp + DAC combo?

If not, at that price range personally I would look into other products (this comment only applies to DAC-1, which I feel has been on the market for a long time already without a big price cut... technology has moved over it imo in price/value). For example the Wyred4Sound DAC-1/DAC-2, Eastern Electric Minimax DAC and the Audio-gd Reference 5/7 and the NFB-1 and 7 are worth doing some research on. If you want a combo unit, take a look at the Burson HD160, Antilope Zodiac and the Audio-gd NFB-10ES and NFB-10WM. The 6Moons.com website has good reviews on the first two on that list at least.

Right now I have my friend's early black DAC-1 on my desk.  I am using it with optical out of my Mac and into Grado HF-2.  I love this combination.  

To my ears, the clarity/linearity of the Benchmark matches well with the HF-2 which have great bass and are not as bright as my MS2i which I will sell over the Holiday break to fund purchase of HF-2.  So they can handle clarity and higher end without being grating to me (with bowls).

I listen to a lot of electronic music or even current music that uses electronic instruments, so having clarity of source/amp with other amps or headphones down the line to color the sound is my current plan.

Right now I am trying to get a USB version of the DAC-1 because I plan to have it for a long time and would like to be able to bring it with a laptop to meets for others to listen to.

Since I have optical out of my computer and CD player the USB is not absolutely necessary for me.  

Do know that the DAC-1 has been through some updates (I should keep a text file and collect the changes throughout the years) and that newer models use a newer headphone amp section called HPA2.  (HeadPhoneAmp2)

I don't know what DAC-1 with HPA2 sounds like but with my limited experience, I am really enjoying my HF-2 right out of the DAC-1 with HPA1.  I could see where someone listening to 70's rock or bright trumpet Jazz with bright Grados might really need a tube amp with DAC-1 but with my phones and music I think it is a good fit and I find it revealing without being fatiguing.

I did listen to another Head-Fier's DA-10 recently through his HF-2 but not with my electronic music.  Because I did not do a direct comparison + with my music, I could not tell you definitively that the Benchmark was more linear or clear but from my reading many consider the Benchmark more "analytical" and some consider it even a bit bright or harsh.  

What I am finding from meeting a couple head-fier's and what they listen to and is that they could use warmer components for what they listen to.  For what I listen to, I want clarity and extension.  As I branch out and pull all my old jazz and rock albums back out, I may be going for a tube amp later.  

That's just my thought process.  Also, I don't know if I would like using the volume rocker-arm constantly on the Lavry.  I keep the benchmark right near my left hand and like the smooth pot on the DAC-1.

Good luck and share what else you learn on your search!

P.S.  For example, I have enjoyed my IE8 dynamic iems (because they really extend low) and just picked up a special deal on TF10 balanced armature iems.  I need low extension but like the additional clarity and speed that the TF10 and balanced armatures provide.  I will probably keep IE8s for some music and listening experience and go up the BA clarity ladder as well.         

Oh, and the owner of the DA10 said that most people believe that either DAC is <very> good and we should be <very> happy with either one.

There are ways of listening to balanced headphones out of the back of the Lavry and I think there may be other mods for the Benchmark as well such as an "XLR" Mod by "Parts ConneXion" which may be available for the Benchmark or "mods to the analog stage" but I have not even researched these possiblities yet.

If you have the opportunity to test out gear before buying, then my advice would be to just buy the one you like without listening to people like me :) We all have different preferences, and the most important one is your own!

^what he said.  

But I might also add:  after buying, then don't listen to anything else for a pre-specified period of time so that you are happy with what you have!   

Ah, if I could only follow my own advice...

@phildawson,

From a thread on AudioGon:   http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1290909690&&&/Anedio-d1-vs-benchmark-dac-

"I have not heard of the Anedio DAC but the W4S seems to be a reasonably popular option right now. If you can stretch it a bit, the Bryston DAC also seems to be quite well regarded. 

I am a former Benchmark and current Lavry DA10 owner I would suggest that the Lavry is a bit more fun to listen to. Probably a touch more dark sounding but overall it is very easy to live with. Not quite as razor sharp and more fluidity would be the best way to describe it. More organic I guess you could say as well."

(Back to me...)

I heard the DA10 straight from the DA10 and also the DA10 through a GS-1.  My impression (as an inexperienced Head-Fier) was that the combination was "easy going" enough to make me think that an SS amp might be the way for me to go as opposed to a tube amp later.  Not sure if I want to roll tubes, etc. but have only heard the SinglePower Extreme.  Still not sure about my amp desires, though...I have a LOT more listening to do.  I came to that quick assessment after listening to some "bluegrass classical" (can't remember band) in 24/96 which was bright enough to make me understand the niceties of the GS-1.

Again, I may sound like I have more experience than I do but I happened to have at least listened to these a tiny bit.  And am listening to the DAC-1 now.