Benchmark dac - why such diverging opinions?

Like any decent/good component it will sound really good in some systems and leave something to be desired in others.

Plus different listeners like different things.

So, like any piece, the best you can discern from reviews and opinions is whether or not any certain piece sounds good sometimes and maybe why or sometimes bad and why.

Then you assess how it is likely to sound in your system and room based on your best analysis including value judgements, etc. Then you try it. If your analysis was good, it will likely sound good. Then you assess in your system, determine whetehr satisfied or not. if not, then you repeat the process a little smarter than when you started so better chance for good results next time.

That's basically how it works.

Generally, if you stick with well known products that have received multiple positive reviews, even if there are also some negative ones, the quality of the product will not be the issue, rather how good a job you did with your analysis and decision making process.

There are very few things in the world everyone agrees is good much less outstanding. There are some who do not find Cameron Diaz attractive even for example. SO "that's jsut the way it is. Some things will never change....".

Lindisfarne, maybe you should check the Oxford Dictionary, it's usually more inclusive.

06-20-11: Lindisfarne
Macdad-What does "strindgent" mean? I'm puzzled. Let me check The American Heritage Dictionary.

Professor Lindisfarne, I bet your pupil meant to use the word “stringent” and mistakenly typed a “d.” Of course, the word “strident” would be better used. Shall we go back through your threads and posts professor?

I believe that most of us understood what Mac meant….I know I did.

Doh!

With all "legendary" products you will get the extremists out, trying to prove to everyone that they have something far far far superior.

The DAC1 received near universal acclaim from pros and it got glowing reviews from many.

1) It measures beyond repute
2) Modestly priced (perhaps one of the first affordable "pro" quality DACs)
3) Golden Ears like Doug Sax liked it (Sheffield Labs)
4) Their asynchronous clock virtually eliminates the bug bear of all digital systems => jitter (and measurements prove it)

All the above makes it a target to try and shoot at.

Perhaps those who spent more are upset that something so modestly priced can be reputed to perform so well. Although some are no doubt genuine concerns from people who did not read the manual and ended up overdriving the inputs of their consumer preamp (would obviously sound terrible) with the much higher pro level audio outputs of the DAC1. Others may have such a room or such an eclectic setup that they need a very specific sounding DAC in order to compensate for peculiarities elsewhere in their room/setup.

Anyway, for whatever reason, it is nearly always like this with a product that becomes an iconic. Like with used Nikon lenses and used Toyota's, it is interesting to note how the DAC1 holds its price better than many other components. Meanwhile many of today's poster childs will be tomorrow's basement bargains. That should tell you something.

"If you had a very "warm" sounding system; high efficiency horns, tube pre and SET amp, the brightness might mellow"

None of the above and no brightness. Extended highs and very clean natural sibilants. Benchmark was purposely designed to sound neutral and not warm. Very low noise floor and strong jitter rejection makes Benchmark very resolving uncovering any shortcomings of the system.

Judging by some Audiogon opinions Benchmark is the worst audio component ever - being at the same time Stereophile "2004 Products of the year Editor's Choice" among many other awards. Amazing!