CDP or DAC with DVD player

Jlc76 - That would be the best of both worlds. SACD players are not the greatest redbook players and SACD converted to PCM looses advantage of bit stream. SACD is pretty much one channel Direct Stream Digital (DSD) recording format (4 channel "wide DSD"). Remember that Benchmark does not have analog inputs!!!

Well, there is a new Benchmark that has one set of analog inputs, but for my setup I would need two (one for SACD, the other for my turntable...which would still need a phono stage).

Jlc - users reported better results with Benchmark + preamp than Benchmark alone - I don't know why. Why don't you take 30-day free loaner from Benchmark and just try it. It is possible that you would like sound from your Sony more (while playing redbook CD). Benchmark sounds very clean - maybe too clean (takes a while to get used to). Some people call it sterile.

Kijanki,
I'm using the DAC1 without a preamp directly to a tubed poweramp and the sound is glorious. Benchmark even recommends trying it w/o a preamp. The DAC1 has a very nice preamp/volume control.

The difference that some talk about is probably similar to when I used the variable output of my Cary308 cdp direct to an amp vs. through a preamp. You get more body but with less clarity and immediacy. I perfered it without a preamp because it had less coloration and was more intimate in presentation.

Anyway, the Benchmarc DAC1 is so clear w/o the hint of digititus or harshness that it excells as a direct connect to a poweramp. Why muddy up its neutral and honest presentation. The highs are so pure they almost sound smooth because there is no harshness to them. It is a real ear opener.

Mjcmt - what happens when you add class D to Benchmark is that lower midrange becomes too lean. It was the case with my Audioquest Indigo thin sounding speaker cables. While upgrating cables I went with Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun and lower midrange (chestiness on male voices) came back. Satisfied with Acoustic Zen I upgrated IC from AQ King Cobra to Acoustic Zen Absolute - next level in clarity and coherency.