Benchmark DAC-1 compared to Bel Canto

[Zoide]

Thanks for the info, Kurt.

Did you try the Sensaphonics with the Bel Canto DAC2? If so, how would you compare the combination to the Sensaphonics + DAC1 one?

 

[Soundbuff]

I have auditioned both of these DACs in my house.

I purchased a Benchmark DAC-1 and had it briefly before selling it to another Head-Fi user. I only tested it with my main stereo, not my computer. At first my reaction to it was mixed. I found the sound of the Benchmark to be very detailed but somehow not as musical as my cheapie Denon CD player alone. My foot just wasn't tapping as much with the Benchmark as it used to before. In all fairness, I did not give this DAC an exhaustive evaluation. It's possible I wasn't enjoying music that week as much as other weeks and further listening/aclimation/cable burn in may have made a big difference in my enjoyment of the DAC-1. Another reason I decided not to use it with my main stereo is the Benchmark has several very bright lights on the front cover that remain on all the time and I find those annoying when trying to go to sleep.

I had thought I would use the Benchmark with my computer instead, and contemplated getting a HD 580 or 600 in order to take advantage of the balanced outputs of the DAC-1. About this point in time, however, I decided to scale back for my computer audio system and just go with an EMU 404 / Gilmore Light / HD 590 partly to reduce costs and partly because I prefer to wear lightweight headphones at the computer and HD 590's aren't really the best headphones for a higher end source like the DAC-1. So I'll never know how it may have sounded with the computer. I decided to put most of the quality emphasis on my main stereo, not the computer.

I love the Bel Canto DAC-2. It has a nice shape that can fit almost anywhere and it doesn't have unnecessary lights on the front. I find the sound to always be very musical and very satisfying. My main stereo system (Bel Canto DAC-2 / MPX3 / HD 650 w/Blue Dragon) uses a Denon CD player as the optical source transport, and a Sony DVD/VHS combo player with coaxial out as the coaxial source for the Bel Canto DAC-2. The front of the DAC-2 has a switch to easily select between the two. I will say this: whether you get the DAC-1 or DAC-2 try to opt for a coaxial connection if possible (up to 2 meters length). So far I am convinced the coaxial connection produces a better quality of sound than the optical connection does at least for the DAC 2.

 

[Kurt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoide Thanks for the info, Kurt. Did you try the Sensaphonics with the Bel Canto DAC2? If so, how would you compare the combination to the Sensaphonics + DAC1 one?

AFAIR, the aforementioned differences apply to that combo too.

 

[kunwar]

do a search, there are 2 schools of thought on the above.
to me the same reasons pointed out by Kurt make a DAC1 better and more suited to my taste. just listen to the gladiator soundtrack via a DAC1 and you will be sold completely. yet to hear the bass and lows sound so good on any other system for this price.
Which is why haven't bought anything new for the setup I have.
Of course the balanced amps from the Ray Samuels line would be on my list.
I am in India right now and digging the SR-71.
it is a choice that you will make good luck, chances are you will be happy with either one.

 

[Edwood]

Just got back from CES. I talked to the folks at Bel Canto. They have no plans to discontinue or upgrade the DAC2. So, it'll stay the way it is for another year at least.

I prefer the DAC2 over the Benchmark DAC1.

But not if my main cans were the HD650's.

-Ed

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood Just got back from CES. I talked to the folks at Bel Canto. They have no plans to discontinue or upgrade the DAC2. So, it'll stay the way it is for another year at least.

This is exactly what I did not want to hear. It means I can buy it without remorse now...

 

[sethk]

Edwood,
When you make an exception for the HD-650, is it because you would use the Zu / balanced combo with the 650 which gives it an edge, or would just say in general the Benchmark adds some 'excitement' or liveliness to the 650? Or is it something else?

 

[eyeteeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorNetwork I have the DAC1. Using both a high-end headphone rig and high-end speaker rig I was unable to differentiate between a high-end CD transport and an iRiver IHP-120 playing wave files via the DAC1. The DAC1 is a phenomenal source. I am in love with mine. Breathtaking speed, detail, and transparency. As for "musicality", well, I tend to think my music is "musical" enough. As I have not had an extended audition with the Bel Canto DAC2 I have no opinion about it.

I'm of a similiar opinion. I've been listening to a DAC1 for a few days BUT don't have the full measure of it listening through a totally crap plastic toslink. A guy near me is assembling a good BNC to RCA coaxial cable for me, hopefully ready today or tomorrow.

I can see why many prefered the DAC2 for headphone listening as the DAC1 is just so transparent and neutral with zero romance or pleasant colourations. But I'm not a headphone listener except at night when not alone. Having an integrated amp and warm speaker cables in the loop, which contribute some buffering, is ideal. If I have a complaint it's with the recording itself not the DAC1, and yet crap recording are still enjoyable. An open window of a source is great in a decent, rich sounding, balanced speaker rig. I'm not so sure it's ideal in a headphone rig though.

Actually I do have a complaint about that blinding blue LED, wow is it bright!

EDIT: BTW I've only used my Arcam as a transport and haven't listened to any other devices.

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeteeth I'm of a similiar opinion. I've been listening to a DAC1 for a few days BUT don't have the full measure of it listening through a totally crap plastic toslink. A guy near me is assembling a good BNC to RCA coaxial cable for me, hopefully ready today or tomorrow.

Benchmark DAC1 user and the company themselves would say the digital cable doesn't matter. Let us know if you hear a difference.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeteeth Actually I do have a complaint about that blinding blue LED, wow is it bright!

What's scary is the one on my computer tower (Lian-Li PC6077) is an order of magnitude or two brighter!!!

 

[Riordan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer What's scary is the one on my computer tower (Lian-Li PC6077) is an order of magnitude or two brighter!!!

ah, the new jedi laser sword edition, i presume?

(the first mod i ever did was putting black tape on the benchmark dac1 - it doesn't sound any different, but i can now enter the room with open eyes)

 

[BANGPOD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sethk Edwood, When you make an exception for the HD-650, is it because you would use the Zu / balanced combo with the 650 which gives it an edge, or would just say in general the Benchmark adds some 'excitement' or liveliness to the 650? Or is it something else?

Does anybody have an answer to this?
I am in the same boat.. DAC1... DAC2...

BANGPOD

 

[eyeteeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lan Benchmark DAC1 user and the company themselves would say the digital cable doesn't matter. Let us know if you hear a difference.

That might be true between brands or price points? Between toslink and coaxial the manual says, "Toslink optical connections work well at sample rates up to 96 kHz but may be unreliable or non-functional at higher sample rates (such as 192 kHz)."
Now I don't know how audible the difference between 96 and 192 kHz is. No difference?

Anyway I called the guy/assembler and he didn't get the BNC connection and said "next week" which was frustrating, and being on the street at the time feeling a little frustrated I walked into a mid-fi audio store I knew was around the corner and picked up an Audioquest VDM-Xr RCA to RCA coaxial for $30.

This is just a cheapish stopgap really, I'll work on getting a worthy cable.

So straight out of the box and still wintery cold they gave a softer, smoother presentation with more nuance. Flicking the switch between optical & Coaxial showed the optical to be a little coarser, bolder, brighter, upfront, flatter. As if high frequencies have been summed up a little more cruddly.
My description makes it seem like a big difference but it's not that big. I noticed it easily, but my girlfriend for example would probably not notice.

A favourite crappy recording Emperor's In the Nightside Eclipse had the optical making cymbals rhythmic white noise, the coaxial less so. Wilco's Theologians from A Ghost is born- I realized through the coaxial that I was hearing brush on cymbal when it just simply hadn't occured to me before. Skynyrd's cover of Call Me the Breeze had me untoe my speakers a little through the coaxial as the handclapping during the guitar solo became too focused. Imaging took a step up.

I guess I don't have too much to say-a $30 coaxial is better than a $20 no-name toslink.

I just squeezed these listens in quickly as I'm between doing things and I gotta go. I am quite anxious to get the proper cable though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer What's scary is the one on my computer tower (Lian-Li PC6077) is an order of magnitude or two brighter!!!

That's insane! Do you wear these?

 

[kunwar]

some masking tape and about 20 layers of it on the LED should fix the glow problem.
Other than that, paint it black or a dark clue.
I will have to give this a try once my unit is back from my friend's who has sold his Bose speakers since listening to it.
On order are some very sweet Dali's straight from Denmark. Boy is that going to be fun.

Later
Kunwar

 

[Edwood]

A 10 Cent resistor will solve any bright LED problems.

-Ed