Benchmark DAC-1 headphone amp?

[sonic32]

I wanted to hear from anyone experienced in using the Benchmark DAC-1. In particular the headphone amplifier. I have a Gilmore Lite already but am curious how good headphones sound straight out of the DAC? They seem to have a high quality built-in amplifier. I would be using HD-600's and possibly AKG K501's.

 

[morphie]

The headphone amp of the DAC-1 is comparable to a pimeta.

 

[virometal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphie The headphone amp of the DAC-1 is comparable to a pimeta.

Which isn't that good compared to how good the source is *looks around for Ian*.

The Glite is a superior amp, but did not synergize well in my system.

IMHO

 

[morphie]

Doesn't really matter imo. An amp is an amp, no matter what the source is, if its fed a clean signal and amplifies it correctly, then you'll get high quality sound.

Buying a 400USD amp to complement the DAC-1 will not give you a huge change in sound compared to the change in quality due to the DAC. Personally I like my headroom home because of course the crossfeed switch, but also because its not overly bright with my RS-1s unlike the DAC's headphone out. The sound is smoother, highs less harsh, but the sound remains very detailled, and the amp adds fullness to it.

I haven't been listening long enough to give a precise opinion, but I think that if youre using headphones which are not overly bright, the DAC's headphone amp sounds quite good. The Headroom Home complements it of course, and is a part of my setup I would not want to sell off, but if my main headphones were not Grados I'm not sure things would stay this way. The AKG k501s sound very good out of the DAC's headphone out, thats as much as i'll say

 

[sonic32]

Very good point. Could you elaborate on the AKG K501/DAC-1?

 

[morphie]

When I've listened a few more hours and if it doesn't sell (selling it in the headphones forum) yeah, i'll give it a shot.

 

[virometal]

Hmmm....that is a very valid point coming from you, but my experience tells me different.

In my experience with the DAC1, I have had three amps with the DAC1 (including the DAC1) and each offered a different flavor. While I did not find the differences as dramatic as a source change, the differences were still noticable to me. I was least impressed with the DAC1 amp on its own; even though it has qualities I would prefer over the other two.

IMHO, it is worth investigating, or auditioning amps to see which may match your system best.

We are talking about a $1000 source; which may be a considerable sum for some. Why not try to maximize it?

 

[some1x]

You mean Lan (Mr. T/K1000 avatar)

Quote:

Originally Posted by virometal Which isn't that good compared to how good the source is *looks around for Ian*. The Glite is a superior amp, but did not synergize well in my system. IMHO

 

[videocrew]

someone on here very recently had negative things to say about the Gilmore Lite and K501's

do a search for the thread that compared the M-cubed and the gilmore lite... that's where he spoke ill of that combo

 

[virometal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by some1x You mean Lan (Mr. T/K1000 avatar)

Oops! Thanx for the correction.

I will just sit back now and let the big boys hammer it out before I get myself in any more trouble.

 

[morphie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by virometal Hmmm....that is a very valid point coming from you, but my experience tells me different. In my experience with the DAC1, I have had three amps with the DAC1 (including the DAC1) and each offered a different flavor. While I did not find the differences as dramatic as a source change, the differences were still noticable to me. I was least impressed with the DAC1 amp on its own; even though it has qualities I would prefer over the other two. IMHO, it is worth investigating, or auditioning amps to see which may match your system best. We are talking about a $1000 source; which may be a considerable sum for some. Why not try to maximize it?

Now, I did not say buying an amp did not make a difference. I would not have bought 2 of them if that were the case. I am only saying that, with my Grados, in my system, adding a solid state amp was very positive. I have not listened to the AKG k501s using DAC only/DAC+amp enough to give a decent opinion on the subject, so I simply refrain from it while praising the DAC's headphone out using the k501s, which imo is quite good, as the sound of the k501 is a bit recessed naturally, it blooms more with the DAC. that however, does not mean you will not hear a very noticeable difference if you use an amp. The difference, depending on how big it is with the headphones youll be using, may not be worth the 400-500USD you'll invest in an amp. So you should audition before you spend so much ^^

 

[some1x]

Quote:

Originally Posted by virometal Oops! Thanx for the correction. I will just sit back now and let the big boys hammer it out before I get myself in any more trouble.

I think he does it to confuse everyone

 

[kunwar]

it sounds uniformly good with almost all headphones I have used minus the K1000, which needs some equalisation but performs pretty well after that. The volume however can be an issue on quieter recordings. With k501, k240, hd650, ms pro, DT770, DT990, it sounds enjoyable and esciting.

 

[Natsuiro]

I think the K501 and Dac1 sound good out of the built in amp. But it sounded alot better out of the maxed PPA I had in the past and a dynahi.

 

[MichaelFranks]

HD600's and the DAC1 are a GREAT matchup, some phones are too bright with it, not sure if the k501 would fall into this category or not.