Thoughts on Benchmark DAC1

[fr4c]

After owning the DAC1 for about 3 months, I finally decided to sell the unit and move on to other DACs or equipment upgrades. I find the DAC1 to be over-analytical, and sometimes that takes the fun out of listening to music. Instead of enjoying my Mahler CD's, I tend to listen for the imperfections that the DAC1 reveals. I'm not bashing on the unit here, as it is probably one of the best DACs that I have owned and used. Vocals are sharp and crisp and the speed and detail are absolutely astounding. Its just not my cup of tea with the kind of music that I'm listening to nowadays, but I must say it works really well with pop, rap, and dance/trance/techno genre.

Anyone else have similiar experiences? And also any DACs that I should be looking into?

 

[jpelg]

I owned the DAC1 for some time, using a variety of cans directly from it's headphone-out. I found it a very capable device, with many strengths. In fact, I thought it was one of the best amps for the Audio-Technica W2002's - great synergy there, imo.

In the end, I have to agree with your final impressions, and sold it for a more 'organic', less analytical sound.

 

[1UP]

I agree, you can do better! The lesson to learn: don't go buying anything with NE5534s in the output stage!

 

[Captain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr4c I find the DAC1 to be over-analytical, and sometimes that takes the fun out of listening to music. Instead of enjoying my Mahler CD's, I tend to listen for the imperfections that the DAC1 reveals.

I now use a tube amp with the DAC-1, this really helps to give warmth and sole to the music. Tube rolling can give a lot of flavours to the DAC-1 which will make all types of music sound very very good. May be try a different amp?

 

[Naga]

I really want one of these monsters, i love a nice analytical sound.

my only question is about its power supply, is it good? or is there large room for improvement?

 

[jpelg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naga I really want one of these monsters, i love a nice analytical sound.

Benchmark DAC1 + Sonic T-Amp + AKG K1000's?

Too much of a good thing, imo. I don't recommend it.

 

[Naga]

nah, i dont have the K1K yet - i will be feedint the DAC with my optical out and driving HD 580s

 

[elmoe]

The DAC-1 is astounding paired with a tube amp. I wouldn't replace it with anything else for rock.

 

[Solude]

Hmmm Musical Fidelity A324 paired to HeadAmp Reference compared to Benchmark DAC1 to RudiStor... hmmm.

 

[woodcans]

I love my dac1, especially my EA modded box with my Singlepower tube amp. I think the combo of dac1+tubes really works well, as per Jashugan's post. As far as other dacs go, I have heard good things about the ack 2.0, I can't wait to listen to one in person.

 

[fr4c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain I now use a tube amp with the DAC-1, this really helps to give warmth and sole to the music. Tube rolling can give a lot of flavours to the DAC-1 which will make all types of music sound very very good. May be try a different amp?

Perhaps a tube amp may have helped a bit. At the time, I was using it with a Dynahi, so not much of a synergy combo there.

I'll head over to my friends house (sold him my DAC1) in a couple of days and see how my new tube amps synergize with it.

 

[Captain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr4c Perhaps a tube amp may have helped a bit. At the time, I was using it with a Dynahi, so not much of a synergy combo there.

I use to have the DAC-1 with a Dynahi and Grado PS-1's and found this a pretty high octane combo, so much transparency, very lively and fast. As you have rightly said pretty good with pop, rap, and dance/trance/techno genre. Tubes are defiantly the better match if you want to hear Mahler CD's in their full glory on the DAC-1. The PS-1's were a pretty good match for the DAC-1 as well, made the sound a lot more solid with good weight and bass. As said it's about synergy.

 

[woodcans]

deleted - double post.

 

[xand1x]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain I use to have the DAC-1 with a Dynahi and Grado PS-1's and found this a pretty high octane combo, so much transparency, very lively and fast. As you have rightly said pretty good with pop, rap, and dance/trance/techno genre. Tubes are defiantly the better match if you want to hear Mahler CD's in their full glory on the DAC-1. The PS-1's were a pretty good match for the DAC-1 as well, made the sound a lot more solid with good weight and bass. As said it's about synergy.

Music to my ears, I got a dynahi on its way. Once my wallet recovers I may look into one of these. I've heard this amp can be cold/analytical at times though! Has anyone in this thread experienced this type of signature from the DAC-1?

 

[fr4c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xand1x Music to my ears, I got a dynahi on its way. Once my wallet recovers I may look into one of these. I've heard this amp can be cold/analytical at times though! Has anyone in this thread experienced this type of signature from the DAC-1?

Yup. To me, it sounded that way with the Dynahi I was using. But I must say the amp helped a lot and was not as cold and apparent as straight out of the headphone out on the DAC1.