KR...
Curator of the Headphone Lust Museum
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- Jun 22, 2001
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What do you guys think is the best DAC for $1000?
Originally Posted by KR... What do you guys think is the best DAC for $1000? |
Originally Posted by saint.panda I had the chance to compare a (Bel Canto -> Corda HA-2 -> Zu -> HD 650) to a (Benchmark -> Corda HA-2 -> Zu -> HD 650) and (Benchmark (balanced line out) -> Zu (balanced) -> Hd 650) and would rank: 1.Bel Canto . . 2.Benchmark balanced . 3.nonbalanced. The Benchmark is a nice Dac but the differences between these two dacs is not small. The most apparent difference was in the amount of texture which the Bel Canto provided in a much better way. It was the first time I heard the Benchmark and my expectations (due to the hype here) were much higher than the results. It is a good dac nonetheless and you don't need an amp as the balanced outs sound really good. |
Originally Posted by saint.panda The most apparent difference was in the amount of texture which the Bel Canto provided in a better way. |
Originally Posted by kunwar Before I state anything, I will say that I have heard both dac's and to me the opposite was the case. |
Originally Posted by saint.panda Hence I'm not sure whether the smaller soundstage was due to the Bel Canto, which I actually doubt. ....I'm not sure whether the Bel Canto can't provide the same amount of deep bass by using an even better amp. |
Originally Posted by Kurt IMHO both are right. With slow to medium fast music the Bel Canto shows more texture in the upper mid’s, while the Benchmark seems a little smooth. Also the Bel Canto sounds more natural. The interesting thing is, as faster the music gets, there is a opposite effect. Then the Bel Canto’s bass is smearing and a little muddy, while Benchmark’s is considerably more controlled, with more punch and faster response through the whole spectrum. Those are my impressions of testing using the same amps. I did not compare the Bel Canto’s RCA out to Benchmark’s XLR out yet. |
Originally Posted by NKT I believe the Scott Nixon Tubedac+ with external powersupply will give any sub-$1k DAC a run for its money. |