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Upgrade from Benchmark Dac?

The Benchmark USB DAC is the first piece of digital gear that I've bought and been happy with. I still prefer analog but listening to 50,000+ wav files randomly is pretty sweet.

I've had an Audio Research DAC 3 as well as a CD1 which I thought sounded like crap. I have ARC electronics and love them but their digital offerings left me cold. On the value for money scale the Benchmark gets my highest rating although my local hifi emporiums claim the PS Audio or Bryston is better.

Anything out there in the digital world that will blow me away like the Benchmark? I don't want to spend ten times the dough to get a debatable 10% more "sound".
ntscdan
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,159 posts
 
Interesting question. I'm curious what the answer is.

I think I know what will sound different but not what represents a clear "upgrade".
tobias
1,534 posts
 
The Stellavox ST-2 is IMHO a clear upgrade from the Benchmark.

I did a head-to-head with a pal, same transport and cable, DAC the only variable. Cymbals less starchy, more metallic = greatly increased detail in the highs. More air and space, better image.
4est
507 posts
 
Dan,
At the risk of being flamed, have you played with power cords/conditioners with your Benchmark? I've found mine to be very sensitive to such treatments. Are you running it balanced or single ended. USB? From what I have read, I doubt if the PS Audio is enough better to make the switch and the Bryston doesn't have a volume control. The Berkley seems interesting, but pricey(5k) for something soon to be outdated... I too am interested in a switch.

Tobias- What was the input for your comparison of the Stellavox vs Benchmark? I'd love to hear more of your comparison of the two...
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
IMHO, if you need USB input and 24/96 decoding, at this price, the Benchmark is as good as you can get.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
If you are doing USB and only USB, then you might consider one of the Wavelength USB DACs or the forthcoming Ayre USB DAC.

Another approach would be to add an Empirical Audio Offramp (converts USB at up to 24/96 to SPDIF, AES/EBU and I2S), then you are free to get any DAC. I think the Bryston BDA-1 is absolutely killer at $2,000. It has USB, but only for 16/44. I have not heard the Benchmark in a long time, but the Bryston handily surpasses the Lavry DA-10, which many prefer to the Benchmark. Again, though, this is via SPDIF, not USB. [Disclaimer: I'm using Empirical Audio into Bryston.]
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