Benchmark DAC-1 + $600 Amp vs. Grace 902 vs. Headroom DAC

[Fennario]

Just wondering what people thought was a better rig for current hungry cans (SA5000) considering that they are all around the same price.

 

[akwok]

I am facing the exact same problems and have the same set of headphones! I don't know if the DAC1 is going to be that big a jump for me.. .

 

[jjcha]

Unfortunately I can't give you too much of a comparison - all I can say is that I am very happy with my Grace m902 + SA5k. I do like its tonal character - clear on the highs, nice controlled bass. Doesn't exasperate the SA5k's tendancy towards brightness/thinness.

When I try the HeadRoom Overture + SR-71, the SA5k are a bit too bright for me.

Still, the other options might be better, though I don't know anyone off the top of my head that owns both a Benchmark and Grace to make that comparison.

Best regards,

-Jason

 

[Fennario]

Do you like the crossfeed/headspace function on the 902 or is it more of a gimmick?

With all of the + I've heard about the DAC-1, I wasn't sure if it was better to go with 2 components rather than an integrated solution a la the 902 or Headroom Home Max DAC.

Which of the 3 has the best DAC package?

 

[Hello]

Well, I don't think there's any question that the Dac-1 has a better dac than the grace. Iron_Dreamer and some others did a shootout awhile back comparing the dac-1 to the grace as a dac + amp. He and the others thought the dac-1 was the best combo.

I think crossfeed is a nice feature. The difference is subtle, but I think the sound is more natural and less fatiguing (but, I never really did a careful comparison).

 

[agile_one]

Right up front I must say that I have a Grace m902, and have never heard a Benchmark dac1 (but would dearly love to). I also have SA 5000's, and will echo jjcha's comments that they sound wonderful from the Grace.

The common wisdom is that the Benchmark is a dac with a headamp thrown in, and the Grace is a headamp with a dac thrown in. Unfortunately, I cannot compare the two (yet).

What I can say with some experience, is that I compared the Grace's dac with the dac in a Meridian 588 that I also owned quite extensively, and found it not wanting. In most a/b switching, I was hard pressed to tell any difference.

Once again, having no personal experience, I will offer up a theory that the Benchmark's dac is probably more analytical and transparent than the Grace, with the 902 being perhaps a little softer and, dare I say, musical? This is pure speculation, and should not be taken as fact. Comments and comparisons from any who have had the good fortune to have heard both the Benchmark and Grace would be most interesting.

As with most things at this level in audio, it's not a case of "better", but "better for you".

 

[Fennario]

So assuming one's budget is $1600 (the price of the 902) would you rather have the DAC-1 and a $600 amp of your choice (which one please) or the 902?

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fennario So assuming one's budget is $1600 (the price of the 902) would you rather have the DAC-1 and a $600 amp of your choice (which one please) or the 902?

Not having heard a Benchmark, you must take my opinion for what it is worth.

I am pleased enough with the Grace m902 to say that for $1600, yes, I would stick with the 902 rather than go with the Benchmark and a $600 amp. And, in case you are wondering by how much - it's a slam dunk. Not that I don't think a Benchmark and some $600 amp might be great, just that I know that the m902 is a world class product that rewards me everytime I use it. Having heard lots of great amps, dacs, cans in my tme, I am comfortable with that assessment (but am open to changing my opinion if ever a Benchmark graces (where are these puns coming from?) my ears, and takes me to tthe promised land.

 

[zdogg]

My 2% of a dollar on this subject: I've AB'd the Grace m902 and the DAC1 using the HD650's and the K1000's (haven't heard the Sonys), and I largely concur with most previous opinions.

The Grace has a much superior headamp compared with the DAC1's built-in amp (although this superiority lessens when 650's are driven balanced from the DAC1, but this is not relevant to your situation). It is more gutsy, upfront, and has a better soundstage and bass.

However, after directly A/Bing the dac components alone on each unit using a common headamp, the best way I can describe the DAC1's superiority is as if somebody took a car windshield squigy thing and wiped the grime off the sound. Clarity, treble, and soundstage all improve with the DAC1, but with this clarity comes a sometimes brutally revealing sound that may not agree with the Sony cans (particularly in the treble). By contrast, the Grace sounds a little warmer...kind of like a copper cable versus silver actually. Ideally you would audition both and go with your preference regarding this sonic attribute.

I was really impressed with the versatility of the Grace and all it's cool features (and it rocks with the K-1000's); the crossfeed is very subtle to my ear.

 

[PsychoZX]

I can't really comment on the sound as i've only heard the grace, but one area where the grace kills the Dac1 is in pure sexiness.

 

[dwc]

for a ~ $600 amp to go with your dac-1, I humbly suggest the singlepower ppx3.

 

[remilard]

Here is my opinion. I have heard the SA5000 out of the benchmark and I will again tommorrow (I own a benchmark and the cans will be at the Portland meet), IMO the SA5000 sounds fantastic out of the dac1 and I think everyone at the last Portland meet felt the same way.

That being said I cannot compare it to the other two options, but don't let people who haven't heard the SA5000 out of the dac1 (or maybe not even heard them seperately) tell you it sounds bad because of what they think they know about how it would sound. It definately sounds good, but possibly not as good as your alternatives.

The SA5000 out of the benchmark is (without having heard the megabucks headphones, Omega II, HE90, qualia and R10) is the most resolving setup I have heard. It is not bright or harsh like most people think it would be, and I am a sennheiser man.

 

[kunwar]

sa5000 sounds quite good with dac1, heard it about 3 weeks back and it sounded gr8, if you are running it in a pc based rig with foobar as the player, then crossfeed works quite well anyway.

 

[KenW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zdogg My 2% of a dollar on this subject: I've AB'd the Grace m902 and the DAC1 using the HD650's and the K1000's (haven't heard the Sonys), and I largely concur with most previous opinions. The Grace has a much superior headamp compared with the DAC1's built-in amp (although this superiority lessens when 650's are driven balanced from the DAC1, but this is not relevant to your situation). It is more gutsy, upfront, and has a better soundstage and bass. However, after directly A/Bing the dac components alone on each unit using a common headamp, the best way I can describe the DAC1's superiority is as if somebody took a car windshield squigy thing and wiped the grime off the sound. Clarity, treble, and soundstage all improve with the DAC1, but with this clarity comes a sometimes brutally revealing sound that may not agree with the Sony cans (particularly in the treble). By contrast, the Grace sounds a little warmer...kind of like a copper cable versus silver actually. Ideally you would audition both and go with your preference regarding this sonic attribute. I was really impressed with the versatility of the Grace and all it's cool features (and it rocks with the K-1000's); the crossfeed is very subtle to my ear.

Man, you have no idea of just how much you've helped me with this post! Thank you!

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Comparing the DAC1 and m902 (using SA5k and other cans), if both are used to be DAC and amp, the DAC1 sounds easily and noticeably better than the m902. Comparing the DAC1 as DAC/amp to the m902 as amp w/ Bel Canto DAC2, the comparison is much closer, but the DAC1 still had a slight edge in clarity and bass definition. Only when Edwood modded the heck out of the DAC2 were the two truly comparable. The DAC1 is cheaper, smaller, and a lot easier to get superior sound out of. Only get the 902 if you prefer looks/neato-gadget factor over sound. Haven't heard the Headroom gear so I have nothing to say there. All I know is that DAC1+SA5K is my audio bliss, and I really doubt there is much that could change my mind currently in existence.