[boodi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer Well, I compared the headphone section of the DAC1 with my former Gilmore dynamic, and heard basically no differences. I think the headphone amp section is a very good example of a solid-state headphone amp, and would only be bettered by tubes or the highest-end solid-state amps. It is likely comparable to a PPA or similar high-end SS amp. Your system would be infinitely more simple by going with the DAC1, since you'd not have multiple digital cables, nor analog interconnects, nor multiple power cables, etc. Much more practical for use with a laptop. Unless you went for the different sound of non-OS/US DAC's, I think you'd have to put together a pretty high-end DIY DAC to compete seriously with the DAC1. I somewhat agree with ampgalore, in that the DAC1 has more potential to sound good than the DT531 can achieve, however, the DT531/DAC1 combo is what I'm listening to right now and it's damned nice. The DT531 definitely benefits from a great source like this, it just can't take as much advantage of it as the really high-end cans. The DT531 excels at managing to sound good with lesser quality sources where the high-enders might not, however the DAC1 is definitely the kinds of source powerful enough to show their limitations, FWIW.

have you some chances to match the dac preamp out with some senns ( hd600 or 650 )
i'm curious about it and about bass performance of the this matched pairs .

 

[clarke68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hella 1) Cheap or DIY Dac (AOS Piccolo etc.) 2) Jitter reducer (Monarchy DIP Classic etc.) OR just a Benchmark DAC-1

The only real solution to the jitter problem is a jitter-resistant DAC.

Even if you could remove all the jitter produced by your transport with something like a Monarchy DIP, you get more from your interconnect and from the vast majority of DACs out there.

Of the DACs on the market considered "jitter-resistant" (there are very few) the Benchmark is the only one with a 3-digit price tag.

 

[ampgalore]

After shipping and tax its final price is 4 digit

 

[dip16dac]

Both audioadvisor and sweetwater offer free shipping and since they are in different states, tax should not be charged from at least one of them. Also, if you call them for their lowest price, you should get at least another $50 off.

 

[pbirkett]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarke68 The only real solution to the jitter problem is a jitter-resistant DAC. Even if you could remove all the jitter produced by your transport with something like a Monarchy DIP, you get more from your interconnect and from the vast majority of DACs out there. Of the DACs on the market considered "jitter-resistant" (there are very few) the Benchmark is the only one with a 3-digit price tag.

The effect of jitter, is more often than not, totally overrated IMO. For example, the dedicated, clocked transport that I heard against a standard DVD-V deck, which on paper has far worse jitter, sounding virtually no different to these ears, even on a very good system.

 

[Zoide]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbirkett The effect of jitter, is more often than not, totally overrated IMO. For example, the dedicated, clocked transport that I heard against a standard DVD-V deck, which on paper has far worse jitter, sounding virtually no different to these ears, even on a very good system.

What DAC did you use with those transports?

 

[cosmopragma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boodi have you some chances to match the dac preamp out with some senns ( hd600 or 650 ) i'm curious about it and about bass performance of the this matched pairs .

Good synergy of HD 600s(stock) and the Benchmark?
Well, depends.
In case you like the laid-back nature, the distant headstage and the veiled presentation of the Senns you might be disappointed.
The veil is somewhat, but not totally lifted.
I feel a few rows closer to the action.
The sound is generally more forwarded and a bit more "agressive".
Not Grado-like, but a few steps in that direction without sacrificing the headstage.
The bass performance and the tonal balance is mediocre through the Benchmark's headphone Jack, very good through an added Prehead.
While I'm typing this I'm listening to Godsmack(Metal) to prove for myself what I'm saying.
Rock music is really unlistenable to me through Senns combined with other sources, the singers always sound like bored choirboys on tranquilizers.
Fed by the Benchmark/Prehead combo Rock music becomes enjoyable, still not the best cans for Rock but good.
In other words for me the Benchmark turns the Senns from specialists for classical/some Jazz genres/some electronica genres into decent allrounders.
To my ears, IMO, YMMW and so on.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boodi have you some chances to match the dac preamp out with some senns ( hd600 or 650 ) i'm curious about it and about bass performance of the this matched pairs .

I will definitely chime in on the synergy (or lack thereof) once my HD650 arrives (hopefully Thursday).

 

[Edwood]

As much as I liked the natural tonality and bass extension of the HD650's (especially on the Blockhead and Balanced Gilmore), I still can't accept the poorer imaging that results from the channel separation that's still there. It just doesn't compete with the spot on imaging I get from the R10's or K1000 (does take some figiting with the angle of the ear speakers). The CD3000's imaging is superior over the HD650 IMO.

I'm sure the Benchmark "wakes up" the HD650, but it still can't make up for it's apparent need for crossfeed.

When you get the HD650, Pete, you can borrow my "contraband" X-Feed if you want, to hear if you like it with or without hardware crossfeed.

-Ed

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood As much as I liked the natural tonality and bass extension of the HD650's (especially on the Blockhead and Balanced Gilmore), I still can't accept the poorer imaging that results from the channel separation that's still there. It just doesn't compete with the spot on imaging I get from the R10's or K1000 (does take some figiting with the angle of the ear speakers). The CD3000's imaging is superior over the HD650 IMO. I'm sure the Benchmark "wakes up" the HD650, but it still can't make up for it's apparent need for crossfeed. When you get the HD650, Pete, you can borrow my "contraband" X-Feed if you want, to hear if you like it with or without hardware crossfeed. -Ed

Well I know exactly what you're referring to, the question is whether it will bother me or not, and if so, how much? I don't have a problem with it on the DT531, so perhaps it will not bother me that much on the HD650 either. As much as I enjoyed my CD3K/Gilmore/various soundcards rig, I would much prefer the DT531/DAC1 setup, so I can imagine that the HD650 will be even better, though admittley these cans need a balanced amp to really show their best.

 

[cosmopragma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hella I guess no one has established synergy with the DAC1 yet.

??????????
All the rant about a DAC no one is satisfied with?
I don't think so.
I've combined it with a Lambda and BINGO .
For you another combination might suit your needs better, but I can assure you that there is satisfaction in the end, something I wasn't that sure about on the way to.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmopragma I've combined it with a Lambda and BINGO.

I can definitely see the ultra-fast, resolving, dynamic sound of the DAC1 pairing up very well with electrostats

 

[ampgalore]

But to be honest, there is something to be said about keeping the signal path as short as possible. The closer you are to the source, the better the sound.

Even though the headphone amp section of the Benchmark is not on the same level as other more expensive headphone amps, it is closer to the source, therefore there is minimal signal degradation, it sounds "pure," if that's how you want to phrase it.

 

[dip16dac]

The DAC1 matches up with the RS1 very well and even the SR225. I listened for over 12 hours almost continuously on Saturday with the RS1 without fatigue and another 12 hours on Sunday with SR225. Love the detail, quick clean clear sound, and strong bass. It has enough bass slam that I don't really need more.

 

[hella]

Thanks for all the responses guys. This DAC sounds more and more like the perfect fit for my system

clarke68 - You confirmed my thoughts about the importance of jitter resistance, but I must admit that the degree to which I can actually pick out jitter is questionable. I doubt that I would be able to A-B a jittery DAC over a non jittery one, but, as with all things hi-fi there's something to be said for peace of mind. In your experience have you found jitter to create an audible deterioration in the signal?

Edwood - I'm interested in your thoughts on x-feed. How much of a difference does it make in imaging? Is this sort of thing easy to DIY? Should I be looking into this if I pick up a DAC1?

cosmopragma - I'm glad that you've achieved synergy with the Lambda. I wish I could say the same, but I doubt I'll ever be able to justify spending upwards of $1000 on a set of headphones...at least for now. Any other suggestions for synergistic dynamic phones?