Thiel Owners

I approached Benchmark about audiophile upgrades such as this opportunity and/or a higher power AHB-2 or higher-end caps, etc. John Siau is convinced that the present level of performance is optimized. I've been told there is not a DAC4 in the works.

I'll ask Bill if he thinks the higher-performing chip would be a drop-in improvement. I'll report back, since I would be a likely first user.

Tom,
Excellent! I haven’t changed from my "well, that’s it" initial impression of the DAC3B since putting it in my system a few years ago. But you know how it is, there always seems to be somewhere over the rainbow.

How much more for the better dac chip, 20 bucks at their cost a hundred  bucks at retail? Time for the next model at a higher price that they could already be selling today. Tom

tomthiel

Thank You for the Bill Thalmann update. Good to read that part of your SCD-1 has been resuscitated. 

Keep me posted on your upgrade(s) to Classe' gear as well.
Safe travels.

Happy Listening!

With respect to DACs:  my advice is to not get hung up on the chip set.  In my opinion, much more important than the particular chip that has been utilized is its implementation, the op amps employed, etc ... Two different manufacturers DACs using the same chip set can very easily present with very different personalities. It's not all about the chip. Just my 2 cents.