DAC1. A good entry level DAC for a balanced experience?

[kool bubba ice]

I was looking at the Balanced Desktop amp, but maxxed out would cost me 1,600 plus.. Was also looking at the Rudi NX-33..But I really need a DAC in my system or I feel incomplete..

 

[Awk.Pine]

The Audio Critic concludes "that the Benchmark DAC1 has no sound of its own, transparently passing on to its output the quality of its input. Whatever sonic peculiarities may perchance be audible are due to the input signal, not the DAC1 circuit. Even if the circuit were a lot less perfect, that would still be the case." Good entry level, if you ask me.

 

[vcoheda]

I just went through the same thing. I wanted to experience balanced from my HD650s. I looked at the DAC1, DA10, and Mini-DAC. I went with the Mini-DAC. Heard it sounds better as a DAC than the DAC1. And the Lavry did not have a USB port, which I wanted. From what I read all drive the Senns pretty well via the XLR outputs.

Just need some balanced cables now.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awk.Pine /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Audio Critic concludes "that the Benchmark DAC1 has no sound of its own, transparently passing on to its output the quality of its input. Whatever sonic peculiarities may perchance be audible are due to the input signal, not the DAC1 circuit. Even if the circuit were a lot less perfect, that would still be the case." Good entry level, if you ask me.

sweet.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just went through the same thing. I wanted to experience balanced from my HD650s. I looked at the DAC1, DA10, and Mini-DAC. I went with the Mini-DAC. Heard it sounds better as a DAC than the DAC1. And the Lavry did not have a USB port, which I wanted. From what I read all drive the Senns pretty well via the XLR outputs. Just need some balanced cables now.

I'm getting my SA5000 balanced. Am going to ship to Alex this week.

 

[mofonyx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was looking at the Balanced Desktop amp, but maxxed out would cost me 1,600 plus.. Was also looking at the Rudi NX-33..But I really need a DAC in my system or I feel incomplete..

Do you mean the Headroom Desktop Balanced Amp?

How did you arrive to 1,600 plus?

With the option of Home Module and Stepped Attenuator, it only reaches $1,297.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mofonyx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you mean the Headroom Desktop Balanced Amp? How did you arrive to 1,600 plus? With the option of Home Module and Stepped Attenuator, it only reaches $1,297.

Home balanced DAC aswell.. I really need a DAC in my chain.. The total cost would put me at 1,697.. & thers always the DSP around the corner too..

 

[mofonyx]

Erm, I don't get it? Why are you getting the DAC option with your balanced amp if you're looking to get the DAC-1.

Ooooh, or I misunderstood your options, with options being :
i)DAC-1 + balanced amp
ii)Headroom's Balanced + DAC option

Apologies

I feel option 1 trumps option 2 anyway, because then if you feel you have more money to spend, maybe you'd consider a more expensive amp.

By the way, widen your options and be adventerous, I'm looking for a similiar set up with DAC-1 to be my DAC, Squeezebox to be my transport. Still undecided on my amp, but a DIY looks fancy : http://www.amb.org/audio/beta22/

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mofonyx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Erm, I don't get it? Why are you getting the DAC option with your balanced amp if you're looking to get the DAC-1. Ooooh, or I misunderstood your options, with options being : i)DAC-1 + balanced amp ii)Headroom's Balanced + DAC option Apologies I feel option 1 trumps option 2 anyway, because then if you feel you have more money to spend, maybe you'd consider a more expensive amp. By the way, widen your options and be adventerous, I'm looking for a similiar set up with DAC-1 to be my DAC, Squeezebox to be my transport. Still undecided on my amp, but a DIY looks fancy : http://www.amb.org/audio/beta22/

No..Balanced amp with Home DAC OR DAC1.. I decided to go with the DAC1 cause 1,700 is too much at the Moment.. & I already have my BADA12 tube amp.. & I feel the Rudi X-33 with the DAC1 will better the Balanced Desktop amp with the upgrades & Home DAC.. I'm getting the Rudi X-33 next yr ..

 

[lowmagnet]

Haven't people run right from the balanced outputs on the dac1? I'm pretty sure it's possible, though balanced headphones are so non-standard in the studio, I don't know if benchmark thought of it.

Added: Thought you could

 

[threEchelon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif No..Balanced amp with Home DAC OR DAC1.. I decided to go with the DAC1 cause 1,700 is too much at the Moment.. & I already have my BADA12 tube amp.. & I feel the Rudi X-33 with the DAC1 will better the Balanced Desktop amp with the upgrades & Home DAC.. I'm getting the Rudi X-33 next yr ..

You should also consider the opinion expressed in this thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...c1+da100+da220


Also, be aware that you could buy the DA100 and use it with an unbalanced to balanced transformer.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I'd be wary of using the DAC1's XLR output to power low-impedance headphones, not that it won't work, but the bass might get sloppier as the headphone impedance approaches the output impedance (60 ohms). As such, using the XLR's as a headphone amp is a bit of a hack, and one that can be better gotten away with using high impedance headphones.

That said, I'd be quite surprised if the Meier Opera and Headroom Balanced Desktop (even with just desktop modules and DAC, at $1200) don't outperform the DAC1 driving the SA5000. Of course if you're watchful you can get a used DAC1 in the $650-700 range. So it all depends on your money situation and future plans. The DAC1 (or another balanced DAC) gives you better flexibility to drop in a balanced headphone amp later.

 

[cotdt]

repeat after me...

ZHAOLU!

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd be wary of using the DAC1's XLR output to power low-impedance headphones, not that it won't work, but the bass might get sloppier as the headphone impedance approaches the output impedance (60 ohms). As such, using the XLR's as a headphone amp is a bit of a hack, and one that can be better gotten away with using high impedance headphones. That said, I'd be quite surprised if the Meier Opera and Headroom Balanced Desktop (even with just desktop modules and DAC, at $1200) don't outperform the DAC1 driving the SA5000. Of course if you're watchful you can get a used DAC1 in the $650-700 range. So it all depends on your money situation and future plans. The DAC1 (or another balanced DAC) gives you better flexibility to drop in a balanced headphone amp later.

I bought a used DAC1 for 869.00..Includes shipping & pay pal fees.. I have yet to see a DAC1 for under 750.00..So The DAC1 only works well with HI Impedence cans throgh balanced mode?.. I know Alex said the SA5000 would sound nice with the DAC1 in balanced mode..

What do the internal jumpers do in regards to XRL sound quality?

 

[lowmagnet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif I bought a used DAC1 for 869.00..Includes shipping & pay pal fees.. I have yet to see a DAC1 for under 750.00..So The DAC1 only works well with HI Impedence cans throgh balanced mode?.. I know Alex said the SA5000 would sound nice with the DAC1 in balanced mode.. What do the internal jumpers do in regards to XRL sound quality?

Kill you. they start out with -20 dB attenuation, which is probably a good thing. Setting it to 0 dB may be considered suicide in your state; check local laws.

The more I read on this, the more I think that balanced on this device is a bad idea. Maybe the XLR should be reserved for driving a pair of studio monitors instead.