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DAC Measurements vs Actual Experience

I have spent the last two days evaluating which of these two DACs I will be keeping:
1) Benchmark DAC3
2) PS Audio DirectStream

I'm foregoing the use of a dedicated preamp; the chosen DAC will serve that purpose.* 

I had read up on the technical side of each of these exhaustively before purchase. For those of you who aren't familiar, the Benchmark DAC3 measures quite well in every category. The PS Audio DirectStream, on the other hand, not so much. In fact, Audio Science Review places these two near opposite ends of its SINAD (signal-to-noise-and-distortion) list with the PS Audio being positioned near the bottom. Stereophile also provided measurements in their review that painted the PS Audio in an unfavorable light. 

And yet the DirectStream is proving to provide a sound that is more, dare I say, musical. It's a bit more relaxed, sounding a tad reserved in comparison to the DAC3, and the presentation of 100 Hz and lower seems to be slightly vague, but it's also less edgy, possessing a better soundstage, and is overall ever-so-slightly more enjoyable. So what am I doing wrong?

* Is it worth considering putting a dedicated preamp downstream of the DAC3 in hopes of gaining a more favorable sound? 
sixfour3
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cleeds
5,950 posts
 
sixfour3

... the DirectStream is proving to provide a sound that is more ... musical ... relaxed ... less edgy, possessing a better soundstage, and is overall ever-so-slightly more enjoyable. So what am I doing wrong?
I don't think you're doing anything wrong.
justmetoo's avatar
justmetoo
381 posts
 
In my very personal experience (with top ML components, and X350.5 PASS) the answer is a straight YES. 
A good preamp WILL make a difference, and the better measuring DAC might actually come to the fore!
Seriously, 
Michélle 🇿🇦 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
No I wouldn't think putting a preamp after the Benchmark would matter unless it's a tube preamp. Both DACs are performing as expected IMO. 
justmetoo's avatar
justmetoo
381 posts
 
If any of either if these DACs uses bit-stripping for volume control, a pre WILL make a difference for sure!

The ML390S processor e.g. uses resitor ladders in the analogue domain for volume control, and STILL, going straight (circumventing the volume control) into the ML326S pre, just sounds more 'normal' (less hyped up digital). 

Unless maybe you are considering using a top dCS type DAC straight into your amp, a good pre, and even a solid state one, will make for a more natural sound quality. 

Test it out for yourself and you'll hear.
I 'm not the only one that made that experience either.

That thread by Whitecamaros and his ongoing amp testing endeavours, came to a similar conclusion quite more recently, if you care to read through the tail end of his very long thread, - and incidentally so did John Atkinson of Stereophile some time back as well

So, listen and find out for yourself - since there is disagreement already on this issue. 
Michélle 🇿🇦 

roberttdid
534 posts
 
Big difference between accurate and personal preference. The Benchmark may be a far more accurate DAC, but that does not mean for you it is the better DAC.  If you have some ability to set absolute volume though, try to listen at exactly the same volume. One thing you can be confident in, you are not doing anything wrong.
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