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Originally Posted by Ruppin /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I am actually using it now, comparing it to my Benchmark DAC1 (either optical/optical) or (usb/optical). My test set up, I freely admit, is less than ideal. But, in my less than expert opinion, I have yet to see anything that would lead me to believe that the Bel Canto is worth 2.5 times the Benchmark. The difference in qualtiy so far, is minimal at most. But, I will keep listening, and see if I can come up with better methods of camparison.
I have also tried calling Bel Canto (I read their manuals and white papers withiout learning much), to try and get advice on how to get the best results from the DAC-3. I haven't been able to reach them yet.
I'm beginning to wonder if the Stello 220 mk 2 woudn't be a more interesting DAC.While the Bel Canto is pretty, you can't control the degree of upsampling. it is unclear whether the digital volume control degrades quality at less than 100%. More later, but I'd like to see more reviews as well.
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I own both the Bel Canto DAC3 and the Stello 220mkII, as I have said previously. I have not been able to do a direct comparison to Lavry or Benchmark. What I can say is the these are both very excellent DACs. I prefer the Bel Canto over all. It has the greatest extension at both ends, the most natural and open tone and the most sense of 'air'. The Stello has a slightly fuller quality in the midrange, not louder but the tones seem more substantial (by a little, of course). I have used the SP MPX slam se balanced and mdr-r10 with each with USB source.
Each, as some have said, has extensive but different additional controls or capabilities, most of which have already been described. So your preference would depend on your system, etc.
Someone asked how the DAC3 USB 'works' and if there is a USB input selection. I'm not sure what is meant by the former, but one simply plugs the usb cable in the back and selects USB with the front universal knob which switches between volume setting and input selection. The volume can be variable or set at a fixed level one picks by pushing in a button on the back. Chosen input is displayed on the front when not changing volume.
It seems to me that differences in DACs at this level are necessarily slight in the total scheme, perhaps more in the order of significant cable difference than transducer differences. It seems apparent to me from reading here and elsewhere extensively that either of these is more to my taste and perhaps just better in respect to smoothness (vs. slightly etched detail and clarity), openness and perceived levelness of frequency response (vs. alittle brightness or being rolled off at either end). That's why I chose them. But, of course, I can't
know this because I haven't been able to directly compare.
In any case, I agree that the Bel Canto is not better to a degree that matches the degree of difference in the price though as far as I can tell it is worth some more for sound and more again for appearance and features. Perhaps it should cost what the Stello does, and the Stello should cost a couple hundred less--to make the prices more proportionately reflect what you get in comparison the Lavry and Benchmark. Anyway, that's closer to what I bought them for...or I wouldn't have.