@mrpsync Since I have 2 preamps I was able to connect the Benchmark DAC3B by RCA and XLR at the same time to each preamp. I spoke to Rory Rail at Benchmark about doing this and he said it is fine and a lot of people use it this way. I also setup the Gustard the same way. The AudioMirror TUbadour III SE that I just sold could not have both RCA and XLR connected at the same time. Vlad told me this and I confirmed it by testing it. I never got confirmation if the Gustard supported this type of dual hookup. The sound I got from the RCA seemed very similar to the XLR. I never hooked up both the RCA and XLR of the Gustard to the same preamp at the same time. So there is some variation in the signal path from the different preamps. However, one reason that I am looking at another Gustard is that the RCA and XLR both sound good. On the DAC3B the XLR sounds better but it is also much louder than the RCA so that could be it. Balanced vs. Unbalanced Analog Interfaces - Benchmark Media Systems Also could you confirm the "replacement" Gustard corrected any issues you had with it serving as both Dac and Preamp direct to amp? Yes, everything is working perfectly now. Also note, that the person that owns the Gustard whose review I posted never had the issue I had with the first Gustard. BTW - I would say that the Gustard is a better DAC than the DAC3B. If I could have only 1 of those 2 it would be an easy choice for the Gustard. It is a really great DAC. However, the DAC3B has perfect synergy driving the AHB2 directly. The Gustard sounded good driving the AHB2 but I would guess the DAC3B is the better fit DAC direct to AHB2. |
@yyzsantabarbara this is really promising info on the Gustard in conjunction with the Benchmark!
If the Gustard can maintain it's SQ via RCA to the DAC 3L connected to the AHB2's via XLR....! Well that's just best case scenario for me! I'll be able to connect the Node 2i to both DAC's and simply select input via my remote for the Dac I prefer on the material I'm hearing :) Hell, if the Gustard is sooooo good to my ears ....I might just religate the DAC 3L for preamp duty only.
Thanks again
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@mrpsync, I think @yyzsantabarbara has said it all regarding the Gustard but I will certainly add my two cents when mine arrives. @yyzsantabarbara, you have really got me thinking about getting the 07x- it just sounds like the perfect complement to the AHB2. Having the ability to switch between the HPA-4 and the 07x sounds like endgame audio to me. I am still gonna get the Gustard absolutely but The combination of AHB2 and HPA-4 and 07x with the Gustard and DAC 3B just sounds irresistible, crazy but irresistible. I am so gonna regret joining this forum! |
@regg If the AHB2 had more power then I would not have bought the CODA #8. More power on the CS3.7 make them sing. I tried the following:
- CODA CSiB integrated
- KRELL K-300i
integrated
- D Sonic M3a 800s amp
- AHB2 in mono
The CODA 07x and AHB2 is really good maybe the best sound of them all (but on the CS3.7 the AHB2 lack grunt).
I would also say this is end game stuff for me. I spent about 2 years researching and then buying. I am pretty much done after I buy another DAC.
I have the opportunity to buy some speakers for the downstairs but that really should wait about 5 more years until my son is older. |
I will add this post here since I think it is relevant on all things Benchmark. 1) I brought up the Gustard X26 Pro to my office because the RAAL SR1a sounds best with it and the floorstander are great too (as with the DAC3B and floorstanders) 2) Now I need a DAC for the downstairs to play in my digital only mini system. Mostly background music so no need for the best. 3) Looked around for DACs with volume control and was not too excited about buying another DAC at a low price range other than the Gustard. However not excited about having 2 of the same DAC. My Benchmark DAC3B does not have a volume control and it is a bit redundant with the Gustard next to it. Ideally I would just buy a second HPA4/LA4 preamp and take the DAC3B downstairs, but that is expensive and a bit of a waste with only 1 input required. So I came across my favorite reviewer comparing the Topping pre90 to the HPA4. Topping Pre90 + Ext90 Review - Pre-amp my Power-amp! (soundnews.net) HPA4 can accept higher voltages compared to Pre90, since it can be used in studios and in the Pro Audio world, where audio interfaces are working with much stronger signals like 15V. Without too much fanfare, I will just mention that I find them equally clean and transparent, I’m experiencing the same amazing control of the drivers, the same airy performance, the same incredibly low channel crosstalk that improves the scale on all axis with my speakers. They are almost indistinguishable and in a blind test, I couldn’t differentiate them or guess which is which. At only 1⁄5 of the price, Pre90 is pretty much on the same level with HPA4. Benchmark unit still has the best graphical user interface I’ve ever experienced, with Pre90 you are not getting a colorful touch-screen and several analog outputs, but you are getting the same clean and undistorted performance. Ext90 adds several analog inputs, so the gap between them is shrinking considerably. Would I sell the HPA4 and get a Pre90 + Ext90 instead? I probably wouldn’t do that, because HPA4 has more analog outputs and it’s still my main headphone amplifier. But if you are a hardcore loudspeaker listener and if I you have one or two sources and pair of loudspeakers, then I would definitely sell the HPA4 and get the Pre90 instead.
Both units have same detail retrieval, the same transparency, same sharpness, frequency response, the same speed and impact. Soundstage is identical and depth is exactly as deep. There was just a minor difference in terms of midrange rendition, while HPA4 was always dead-neutral in its presentation, Pre90 was adding a pinch of midrange density, not by a whole lot, but enough to be detected with acoustic music.
If you ever dreamed about owning an HPA4 or LA4 by Benchmark but never had the funds, now is your chance to have the same kind of performance at a much lower price point. I remained speechless and frankly, quite impressed by the performance of the Pre90. Today, I bought the Topping pre90 on the 30 day home evaluation. I previously had a Topping A90 headphone amp and the sound was pretty good, almost as good as the HPA4 headphone. So hopefully a homerun and perfect match with the DAC3B. |
