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Benchmark DAC 1 or Musical Fidelity Tri Vista?

Should I get a Benchmark DAC 1 or a Musical Fidelity Tri Vista? Front end is Onkyo Integra DPC 8.5 universal player, Rotel RC 995 preamp, Odyssey Mono Extreme amps (awesome, just awsome amps), Paradigm Studio 100 V 3 speakers with Rel Storm 3 sub-bass unit. Good cables throughout with Audioparts Mas Signature Reference bi-wire speaker cables and Audioparts Mas Signature Reference interconnects, and Signal Cable Speakon for the Rel. Clean power to front end with Powervar power conditioner.

May replace preamp and speakers but first would like to try a DAC to correct system's perceived mild to occasionally moderate harshness on the upper end. It sounds great but could be better. Dakiom feedback stabilizers throughout have helped greatly and I've done pretty careful testing with and without the stabilizers, but I still want it to sound smoother with no loss of detail.

So......which DAC should I buy? Thanks.

ps If I go with the Tri Vista, how often do the tubes go bad?
mdhoover
mdhoover OP
695 posts
 
Still needing help:
What about the new MF 3 pack? Better, worse or same as TriVista DAC?
Or what about the notion of the Benchmark DAC 1 paired with the MF X10 buffer?
mdhoover OP
695 posts
 
Well, despite receiving no recommendations in this thread, I was--somehow--able to decide on the Dodson 217 Mark II D, with the upgraded 218-like software (not an exact replica, but a "trickle-down" from that of the 218), and with an isolation tranformer upgrade coupled to one of the inputs. I absolutely love this unit (for specific reasons) and plan to mention (what I perceive to be) at least some of its outstanding attributes very prominently in my upcoming review of the magnificent Intuitive Design Summit loudspeakers.
kenn39
75 posts
 
Congrats on finding your digital bliss.

In your search, did you audition and form some opinions on the components in your original messages?
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