Unforgiving DAC or add Tube Preamp??

@vivahifi
Have you heard the LAB12 DAC1 SE? That’s the most analog sounding DAC I’ve heard? But I have never had the chance to listen to Border Patrol DAC. Would have been interesting.

I ended up buying a Modwright LS 100 tube preamplifier.  This willl allow me to try out a  variety of stand alone DACs as currently I am dependent on the Benchmark as my preamplifier (no preamp) which limited my dac options.  
I should have it hooked up by end of weekend.  Hopefully the preamplifier tubes will have some sort of desirable effect. Maybe the clarity of the Benchmark Dac and Tubes of the Modwright pre will be a winning combination.  

I have been following your thread and thought I had responded some time back. Must not have push the post button. My thoughts much agreed with what you have decided. I also use a tube preamp with a Bryston DAC which some think leans to the analytical side, maybe not to the extent of the Benchmark, of this I am not sure. As you stated you can always search for a less analytical DAC if you choose. The tube pre most certainly take your system in the right direction IMHO.

Please get back to us after playing the pre.

Good to hear Mesch.  I will report back. 

I have added a Modwright Tube Preamp LS100 to pair with the Benchmark HGC 2 Dac and the unit has definitly sweetened the sound. In the meantime I have been shopping different Dacs.  As I am still in need of replacing the Apple TV (I am told weak link) and have come across the idea of replacing the Benchmark with the Auralic Altair.
The Altair has a built in streamer and is also a Dac.  The other option would be to keep the Benchmark and add a Bluesound Node 2i and skip the Altair.  Which would sound better is the question???