Sam-Fi
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 4, 2009
- Posts
- 311
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- 17
I knew you would like them! Now, someone buy my T1s so I can get one!
Sam-fi
Sam-fi
I am SHOCKED no one else hasnt mentioned the Lavry DA11 and/or Benchmark DAC-1 USB. I would put these on your short list.
I am shocked that someone likes the sound of the Benchmark, have you not heard other DAC's or are peoples hearing just that different?
How much does the Bel-Canto3 run for used? Around 2k, right?
. Given that, I'd prefer to choose the one that most pleases me, rather than the first one to fall from the piñata. I would suggest that the largest factors to influence how they sound would have to do with timing (their clocks), jitter (also a factor of timing), and the means they use to translate digital to analog (among other things like power supply, signal path, etc. all of which are well beyond my own understanding).
I can see that with mellow musical tastes, recessed or dark headphones, tubey amps, an untrained ear or hearing loss that an etched sound signature could be preferable. Id personally rather listen to rusty nails dragged over a tin roof.
I am shocked that someone likes the sound of the Benchmark, have you not heard other DAC's or are peoples hearing just that different?
I like the sound of the Benchmark DAC1. And yes I have heard others like the Weiss Minerva, Tranquility, Antelope Zodiac +, Ayre QB-9, Lavry DA-10 and a host of others. If anything, when properly setup, the Benchmark DAC 1 is a bit laid back and a bit dark. When it is not it can be bright as all get out.
cheers
Lets see, an overpriced NOS DAC and the rest sigma-delta just like the Benchmark. Why don't you compare it to something better engineered, you may be surprised what an R2R DAC with a non NFB analog stage sounds like.?