To DAC or not to DAC...

I am planning a similar digital setup. In the meantime I have a Benchmark that I use with a Thule CD player (Phillips drive unit). I had Steve Balliet modify the DAC. It has a bunch of Bybee devices and some other improvements. Benchmark liked some of the internal wiring changes so much they used them themselves.

Before anyone asks me what changes, I am a sound guy. That is I like the sound more than knowing how it ends like that. I home demoed a stock Benchmark, liked it but was not totally convinced. Steve dropped off his modified demo unit, which I never returned. So anyway, when ever I can get around to the wireless computer project I will have a great DAC. Until then I have outstanding digital. Price new with mods is around $2000.

I did a careful comparison of the Benchmark DAC-1 with the Apogee Mini-DAC, in a pal's system using GamuT electronics and Gradient speakers. The transport was by Sonic Frontiers.

The two DACs sounded quite different. Although both could be lyrical with female voices the Apogee sound seemed more concerned with musical flow whereas the Benchmark with the musical moment. The Apogee sounded more natural to me, although that's a matter of taste. With the Benchmark, the music sounded 'ripped', on steroids with all its muscles defined.

I'm sure that if you can audition the two, you will have a clear preference.

I also use a reflection audio modified benchmark and the results have made me very happy.....I use an RME foreface clocked to an isocrone antelope and then to the dac....I am very happy with this after owning many expensive single and two box cdp's.

The firewire Apogee would likely be my choice here. Think of the modded Benchmark as a double the price Apogee wannabee, lol. Gives you more punch, but needs a grand worth of mods to add some musicality.

That said I have a Paradisea+ which is uses a tube and gets plenty of good press on the Net.

Think of the modded Benchmark as a double the price Apogee wannabee, lol.

I agree. If you don't like the precision of Benchmark and want something more "musical" then why buy a benchmark and mod it? Lavry DA10 is another less precission sounding or "smoother" DAC option that has some people who prefer it to Benchmark - its in your price range without mods so try that too (with 30 day return).