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Next step after Benchmark DAC1

Hello guys! I was really in love with my DAC1 lately but it's time to upgrade but don't know where to.
Is there any of those who loved the first version and upgraded to something new from high-end line up? I love almost everything in DAC1, especially it's PRAT and signature, it's crystal clear and dead quiet. But there is one thing that forced me to sell it — there is a lack of resolution. It totally failed while I've bought my vinyl rig. Some guys told me that higher version PRE or HDR would sound better. Is that so?

The owner of DAC2 told me that it sound completelly different.

Other sources I've owned/listened and didn't liked are:
Lavry DA10
Ps Audio DLIII
VALAB NOS DAC
McIntosh MCD201, MCD500
Antelope

PS. I'm not into analog like sound and whatever it is. I need a quiet and crystal clear sound full of PRAT, that's what I call an egaging DAC.

My rig:
McIntosh MA2275
Klipsch RF-7II
Technics 1210 MKII + Ortofon 2M Black
128x128theppd
theppd's avatar
theppd OP
18 posts
 
@Dne, ...and a warmer smoother overall sound... that's what I wouldn't like to hear. The DAC1 that I was using was connected via toslink only to variety of sources. Maybe that was the reason. But I've sold the DAC1 a year ago. Right now I'm buying it again (3rd time actually for the last 3 years) at head-fi the Pre version because of upgraded op-amps. I pland to hook it up via USB at the moment. A little bit later will buy the Berkeley USB, and then some fancy cables.
Will see what's gonna change with USB and op-amps only.
theppd's avatar
theppd OP
18 posts
 
Lately, 've listened Mytek, Electrocompaniet EMC1, MCD500 upgraded and T+A 3000 CD player. Across them all, liked more MCD500 and Mytek, but overall, it wasn't my type of sound at all. MCD500 and Mytek were like twins.

Still waiting my DAC1 PRE...
theppd's avatar
theppd OP
18 posts
 
@Dne, just to clarify my previous experience with DAC1, I've had non USB version and fed it from Apple TV/MacBook Pro via Toslink. So maybe that was an issue source?

Right now, I'm waiting for the PRE version of the DAC1 and gonna feed it via stock USB at first, then I upgrade the power cable, since I've bought an amaizing RCA cable already it's Acrotec 2050 (really awesome sound for me), and then I'm about to buy top AQ USB cable, next up is Berkeley USB. So here are my plans for that setup. Oh, and the source is gonna be the Mac Mini.
dne
141 posts
 
@Theppd, I would expect that the improvements you're making in the power cord and usb cable will make a big difference. The toslink that you used previously could have contributed to the lack of resolution if, like many people, you used just a standard plastic toslink. Those are bad.

I first used one awhile back, then went to an inexpensive glass toslink, which was much much better, then went to a Wireworld glass toslink which blew away the inexpensive glass toslink. Tremendous improvement in all areas!
electroslacker
375 posts
 
I just started feeding my Benchmark DAC1 through a Wireworld Starlight USB from a Windows 7 laptop, and have been listening to Radio Paradise at 192kb. I think it sounds great, and like it better than when fed from CD player over coax. Seems smoother, or maybe it's just new.
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