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Thoughts on a bunch of DACs (and why delta-sigma kinda sucks, just to get you to think about stuff)
Jul 16, 2014 at 10:45 PM Post #1,006 of 6,500
Hi guys, I'm currently looking for a new DAC, which one of these do you think is the better value?
 
(local price - NZD)
NAD D1050 - $800
Benchmark DAC1 USB - $900
Arcam irDAC - $900
Musical Fidelity M1 DAC - $1,000
 
I'm looking for a DAC that focuses on detail retrieval & add some aggressiveness system, not a laid-back DAC. Which one of these fits the criteria? Thanks
 
Jul 17, 2014 at 1:04 AM Post #1,007 of 6,500
62ohm said:
Hi guys, I'm currently looking for a new DAC, which one of these do you think is the better value?

(local price - NZD)
NAD D1050 - $800
Benchmark DAC1 USB - $900
Arcam irDAC - $900
Musical Fidelity M1 DAC - $1,000

I'm looking for a DAC that focuses on detail retrieval & add some aggressiveness system, not a laid-back DAC. Which one of these fits the criteria? Thanks
Click to expand...

Get the benchmark dac 1 on maybe the audiolab mdac, both have the same sound signature, with the mdac being more aggressive
 
Jul 17, 2014 at 1:31 AM Post #1,008 of 6,500
xored said:
62ohm said:
Hi guys, I'm currently looking for a new DAC, which one of these do you think is the better value?

(local price - NZD)
NAD D1050 - $800
Benchmark DAC1 USB - $900
Arcam irDAC - $900
Musical Fidelity M1 DAC - $1,000

I'm looking for a DAC that focuses on detail retrieval & add some aggressiveness system, not a laid-back DAC. Which one of these fits the criteria? Thanks
Click to expand...

Get the benchmark dac 1 on maybe the audiolab mdac, both have the same sound signature, with the mdac being more aggressive
Click to expand...


Audiolab M-Dac costs $1,700 here, so it's out I guess..
 
Jul 18, 2014 at 1:14 AM Post #1,009 of 6,500
62ohm said:
  Hi guys, I'm currently looking for a new DAC, which one of these do you think is the better value?
 
(local price - NZD)
NAD D1050 - $800
Benchmark DAC1 USB - $900
Arcam irDAC - $900
Musical Fidelity M1 DAC - $1,000
 
I'm looking for a DAC that focuses on detail retrieval & add some aggressiveness system, not a laid-back DAC. Which one of these fits the criteria? Thanks
Click to expand...

I've heard the M1 DAC and IMO it's a smooth, laid back DAC.
 
Do you need optical and balanced outputs? If not, consider also the Resonessence Labs Concero for $900.
 
Jul 18, 2014 at 1:24 AM Post #1,010 of 6,500
helmetguy said:
 
62ohm said:
  Hi guys, I'm currently looking for a new DAC, which one of these do you think is the better value?
 
(local price - NZD)
NAD D1050 - $800
Benchmark DAC1 USB - $900
Arcam irDAC - $900
Musical Fidelity M1 DAC - $1,000
 
I'm looking for a DAC that focuses on detail retrieval & add some aggressiveness system, not a laid-back DAC. Which one of these fits the criteria? Thanks
Click to expand...

I've heard the M1 DAC and IMO it's a smooth, laid back DAC.
 
Do you need optical and balanced outputs? If not, consider also the Resonessence Labs Concero for $900.
Click to expand...

 
I do in fact, need an optical input, which is why my choices are kinda limited. Not so much for the balanced outputs though as numerous people have said that it makes little to no difference..
 
It is surprising to hear that the M1 DAC sounds laid back. WhatHiFi described the M1 DAC as "A touch of top-end aggression: needs careful system matching", while many other also said that the M1 DAC sounds a bit laid back. I don't really want a laid back DAC 
confused_face.gif

 
 
What about the other candidates, have you heard them?
 
Jul 18, 2014 at 1:38 AM Post #1,011 of 6,500
62ohm said:
   
I do in fact, need an optical input, which is why my choices are kinda limited. Not so much for the balanced outputs though as numerous people have said that it makes little to no difference..
 
It is surprising to hear that the M1 DAC sounds laid back. WhatHiFi described the M1 DAC as "A touch of top-end aggression: needs careful system matching", while many other also said that the M1 DAC sounds a bit laid back. I don't really want a laid back DAC 
confused_face.gif

 
 
What about the other candidates, have you heard them?
Click to expand...

I would take What Hifi's reviews with a very large grain of salt...
 
I haven't heard any of the other DACs but I do notice that all are available to demo locally. Hearing these DACs for yourself may be your best bet.
 
Jul 18, 2014 at 5:08 AM Post #1,012 of 6,500
62ohm said:
   
I do in fact, need an optical input, which is why my choices are kinda limited. Not so much for the balanced outputs though as numerous people have said that it makes little to no difference..
 
It is surprising to hear that the M1 DAC sounds laid back. WhatHiFi described the M1 DAC as "A touch of top-end aggression: needs careful system matching", while many other also said that the M1 DAC sounds a bit laid back. I don't really want a laid back DAC 
confused_face.gif

 
 
What about the other candidates, have you heard them?
Click to expand...

 
I can vouch for the Benchmark being a very detailed DAC. If you're looking to pair a DAC with a tube amp, it's a good choice.
 
Jul 18, 2014 at 8:42 AM Post #1,013 of 6,500
elmoe said:
 
62ohm said:
   
I do in fact, need an optical input, which is why my choices are kinda limited. Not so much for the balanced outputs though as numerous people have said that it makes little to no difference..
 
It is surprising to hear that the M1 DAC sounds laid back. WhatHiFi described the M1 DAC as "A touch of top-end aggression: needs careful system matching", while many other also said that the M1 DAC sounds a bit laid back. I don't really want a laid back DAC 
confused_face.gif

 
 
What about the other candidates, have you heard them?
Click to expand...

 
I can vouch for the Benchmark being a very detailed DAC. If you're looking to pair a DAC with a tube amp, it's a good choice.
Click to expand...

 
What intrigues me the most is why in Stereophile's 2013 recommended DAC, the Benchmark DAC-1 gets categorized as 'Class A', while other DACs like the Musical Fidelity M1 DAC and the Rega DAC gets categorized as 'Class B'. I read numerous post that states the ODAC sounds the same as the Benchmark, would it be a big mistake for me if I go for the Benchmark DAC-1?
 
http://www.stereophile.com/content/2013-recommended-components-digital-processors
 
Jul 18, 2014 at 11:16 AM Post #1,014 of 6,500
62ohm said:
   
What intrigues me the most is why in Stereophile's 2013 recommended DAC, the Benchmark DAC-1 gets categorized as 'Class A', while other DACs like the Musical Fidelity M1 DAC and the Rega DAC gets categorized as 'Class B'. I read numerous post that states the ODAC sounds the same as the Benchmark, would it be a big mistake for me if I go for the Benchmark DAC-1?
 
http://www.stereophile.com/content/2013-recommended-components-digital-processors
Click to expand...

 
I haven't heard the ODAC personally, but I seriously doubt it can compete with the DAC1. Don't give too much credit to what stereophile says, I personally rarely agree with them. Plenty of people will tell you plenty of different things.
 
The fact most can agree on is that the DAC1 is a very bright DAC, with top class measurements making it an industry standard for professionals. I'm very happy with mine, I've had it for ~8 years and after demo'ing quite a few DACs I can honestly say that it won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
 
Also, the resale value of a DAC1 is quite good compared to most DACs, something to keep in mind.
 
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:44 PM Post #1,015 of 6,500
62ohm said:
   
What intrigues me the most is why in Stereophile's 2013 recommended DAC, the Benchmark DAC-1 gets categorized as 'Class A', while other DACs like the Musical Fidelity M1 DAC and the Rega DAC gets categorized as 'Class B'. I read numerous post that states the ODAC sounds the same as the Benchmark, would it be a big mistake for me if I go for the Benchmark DAC-1?
 
http://www.stereophile.com/content/2013-recommended-components-digital-processors
Click to expand...

 
Stereophile in the past 15 years has had a process of democratization in order to please sponsors and let owners feel good about themselves. It would be like if I put the top two classifications of my own DAC comparison into Class A, put "Beyond Classification DACs" into class B, and made Class S into Class C.
 
BTW just heard two PS Audio Directstream DACs on two different systems including one with an EC2A3mk4 which I am familiar with. Don't bother. If you like that kind of sound, the Vega is far superior. There is a reason why so many people are selling them.
 
Jul 21, 2014 at 3:06 PM Post #1,016 of 6,500
purrin said:
Stereophile in the past 15 years has had a process of democratization in order to please sponsors and let owners feel good about themselves. It would be like if I put the top two classifications of my own DAC comparison into Class A, put "Beyond Classification DACs" into class B, and made Class S into Class C.

BTW just heard two PS Audio Directstream DACs on two different systems including one with an EC2A3mk4 which I am familiar with. Don't bother. If you like that kind of sound, the Vega is far superior. There is a reason why so many people are selling them."






What are so many people selling?
Click to expand...
 
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:31 PM Post #1,017 of 6,500
What or why or how many? Been approached by two people I know if I was interested. Also been seeing a a few on the 'gon.
 
As to why, I would have to assume they bought into the marketing and ended up not liking it.
 
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:39 PM Post #1,019 of 6,500
Let's say it sounds like a PWD1 tonally (upper-mid emphasis) and somehow got flatter and less involving on the microdynamic level. The only plus is smoother. And sub-low bass is missing. PSA seems to have taken one step forward and three steps backward.
 
I actually preferred the Hugo to the PSA DSD. The Hugo is OK. But I still want to destroy one and film it on youtube because of how much it costs.
 
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:47 PM Post #1,020 of 6,500
Oh and I forgot. Kind of crazy to recommend this:
 
Wyrd + Modi = astoundingly good DAC for the price. It's like 1+1=3. Bifrost/uber/gen2 is better still, but that's more than x2 the price. Yes, I'm crazy to recommend a $99 Wyrd for a cheap $99 DAC, but the Modi really benefits from it, whether it be the better USB power or USB reclocking, I do not know. More details later.
 
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