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DAC choice advice - hard-drive based system

Putting together a system using network-attached USB hard drive (LaCie 500GB through a Linksys NSLU2), all music ripped lossless (FLAC), delivered over my 802.11g wireless net using a Squeezebox3.

In the general price range I'm considering, the Audiomirror, Perpetual Tech, Stello, and (it seems you can't *not* consider this) the Benchmark, all look interesting. I realize the Audiomirror takes a different approach as it's n/os.

I listen to a very wide variety of music.

Can you guys help me out with the pro's and con's of these options? I'm new to the DAC concept - am I missing anything I should be considering?

Also, what is the concept behind something like the Perpetual Tech P-1A? I don't really understand what it does (but have a general sense of the concept of oversampling). Is it just oversampling, similar to what's already built into the Benchmark for instance? How about the Audio Alchemy stuff, what's that do?

Thanks! Great forum, it's nice to have access to experts that don't mind speaking in language plain enough for us neophytes...
sixstringslinger3b7a
kenn39
75 posts
 
>7) stepped attenuator

Is this on the front volume pot or the back screws? How much difference would this make?

A few years back, Benchmark offered a $50 update for older DAC-1's (non-upsampling ones?). I wonder if there is any update offer for newer DAC-1's.

Thanks.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I've listened to a few DACS in my system, both modded and unmodded:
1) Dodson 217
2) Benchmark DAC-1
3) Perpetual P-3A and P-1A
4) dAck! version 1 and 2
5) Bel Canto DAC2
6) Electrocompaniet ECD-1
7) Birdland Odeon-lite
8) Van Alstine
9) MSB Gold
10) AudioNote DAC4.1X
11) EAD DSP 7000
12) Meridian 566

The Benchmark is the best sounding of these either stock or modded. Dont waste your time. Just buy a new one.
pardales
652 posts
 
Audioengr wrote, referring to a list of DAC's he'd auditioned: "The Benchmark is the best sounding of these either stock or modded."

That is ONE opinion, of course.
sixstringslinger3b7a OP
1 posts
 
Thanks guys.

At the moment I'm seriously considering the Benchmark, Audio Mirror, and Stello. They all seem to have good things said about them and the price range, used on the Benchmark and Stello and new on the Audio Mirror, are all in the general ballpark.

It's really hard to ignore the consistent profound praise the Benchmark gets, but I would have to wait until a used one comes up at a good price.
clio09
3,360 posts
 
I have to agree with Pardales comments on both accounts. Listen to as many of DACs as you can, and rememeber, each of us is just lending our opinion. You ultimately have to live with the choice.

I also have to say that I usually am impressed with whatever Audioengr has to say, but the last post was a bit over the top. There are some incredible DACs on that list and I have to wonder if he temporarily lost his mind when he says the Benchmark beats them all - stock no less (modded I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on).
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