Quest for better sound - What to upgrade?

[aCuria]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kobra /img/forum/go_quote.gif No! A computer built the "right way" can sound really good (or actually it doesn't "sound", but it can reproduce a recorded sound accurately. Some say it can compete with really expensive high end hi-fi gear costing thousands of dollars. I somewhat agree, but like to throw in a heads up that accurate isn't always synonymous with musical) A silent PC (fan less, good shielding, SSD harddrive etc. etc.) is a cost effective base in a hi-fi setup. Though anyone who says this will stand in the line of fire from "the old guard". Neither do I Not much apart that the "PRE" has analogue inputs as well as USB and optical. This makes it attractive to use as a pre-amplifier. As far as I understand the PRE also has LM4562 high-current op-amps throughout entire analog stage in comparison to the usb-version that only has LM4562's in the output stage. I assume this makes the PRE sound a little bit better...

What do these LM4562s do anyway. Does it mean the more LM4662s the better? If the USB does not have analog inputs, is there even a reason for 2 LM4562s?

 

[Alai]

Better DAC and better speakers please.

 

[aCuria]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alai /img/forum/go_quote.gif Better DAC and better speakers please.

OK, i decided to get the BM5A's as planned, now, which DAC?

I will be using the DAC as a headphone amp allot, and will need balanced outputs.

Shortlisted:

DACLocal Pricing
Stello DA220 MKII1650
Lavry DA112400
Benchmark DAC1 1580
Benchmark DAC1 USB2050

Anything else to consider? -Looks like i am blowing the budget by quite allot

 

[Alai]

Wait... you mean you will directly connect the headphone to the DAC without an amp in between?

 

[aCuria]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alai /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wait... you mean you will directly connect the headphone to the DAC without an amp in between?

Yes, thats the plan at the moment. (You mean speakers right, not headphones? I will use my headphones with the headphone out)

I thought i was the only one with this idea, until i stumbled upon this

Benchmark's Complete Stereo Solution | Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.

It seems they are thinking along the same lines as well

 

[Kobra]

You can't go wrong with the Benchmark and the Dynaudios

The headphone amp in the Benchmark is top tier...

 

[fzman]

Being a dealer, i am a bit constrainied to give specific product recommendations, but i would like to mention the following points:

the source comes first- as in the old adage 'garbage i-garbage out'.
the essence stx is a great sounding piece, and can be powered by an external linear supply, and with the right opamps, gives pretty amazing sound-- computer audio can be made to sound exceptionally good.

the benchmark pre, has the lm4562s, which are good sounding opamps, the dac 1 and dac 1 usb use nec5532s, which some find inferior to the 4562s- only the pre has the 4562s, afaik.

speaker placement and room acoustics are major factors in sound quality, and are worth paying attention to.

i think if you read between the lines a bit, you will end up with very good sound for well within your budget.

hope that helps.

Mark

 

[aCuria]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fzman /img/forum/go_quote.gif Being a dealer, i am a bit constrainied to give specific product recommendations, but i would like to mention the following points: the source comes first- as in the old adage 'garbage i-garbage out'. the essence stx is a great sounding piece, and can be powered by an external linear supply, and with the right opamps, gives pretty amazing sound-- computer audio can be made to sound exceptionally good. the benchmark pre, has the lm4562s, which are good sounding opamps, the dac 1 and dac 1 usb use nec5532s, which some find inferior to the 4562s- only the pre has the 4562s, afaik. speaker placement and room acoustics are major factors in sound quality, and are worth paying attention to. i think if you read between the lines a bit, you will end up with very good sound for well within your budget. hope that helps. Mark

Hi Mark, thanks for the reply.

Regarding the 4562s, Benchmark's site says the DAC-1 USB has 1 4562s and the pre has 2 4562s. Is there a difference between using 1 or two of these?

 

[1UP]

I believe the difference is that PRE uses the National opamps throughout the headphone and line output stages, whereas the USB doesn't use them in both stages; I'd guess the phone outs are still using NE5532s

 

[aCuria]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1UP /img/forum/go_quote.gif I believe the difference is that PRE uses the National opamps throughout the headphone and line output stages, whereas the USB doesn't use them in both stages; I'd guess the phone outs are still using NE5532s

According to this page
DAC1 Comparison Chart | Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.

State-of-the-art LM4562 high-current op-amps
DAC-1NO
USBOuput stage only
PREThroughout entire analog stage

I guess theres an op amp in the PRE for the analog input?