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Best path to upgrade my source

I am a new start up in the stereo world. At present I have an Audible Illusions pre, 200 watt tube mono's, dynaudio 1.3 mk 11'S, and a highly modded marantz cd67se. I would like to upgrade the front end source. I am on a tight budget, and I'm considering either a Benchmark dac1 or Naim cdi or meridian 506. I prefer acoustic, soft jazz, and mild rock and roll. My listening habits revolve around detail and immediacy as my 53 year old ears have heard better. Any suggestions?
optimationman
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,760 posts
 

I own both the Benchmark DAC-1 and the LiTe DAC Ah and the Benchmark is certainly better, particularly in the smoothness of the treble, but it's pretty damn close, closer than you want to admit if you've paid $995 for the Benchmark.

You couldn't go wrong trying the DAC Ah with the Marantz as a transport and seeing what you think.
capt369
152 posts
 
If querida doesn`t mind me buttin` in for a second, what`s the Dac ah soundstage like?
chichiuno
118 posts
 
Both the Lavry and Benchmark suffers from its power supply.
Both has huge gains of performance ready to be unleashed.

Anthony
melm
1,082 posts
 
Anthony,

Aside from the general proposition that ANY component may benefit from a better power supply, do you have any information suggesting that the power supply of the Lavry DA-10 is inadequate? How does the Lavry "suffer"? Have you auditioned one? If you have any real information or experience please share it with us.
ajahu
306 posts
 
Try Altman dac. That is a wonderful component at a very low price. This is probably the most lifelike sounding dac I have ever heard.
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