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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
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I agree with 4est 1000% on interconnects and Power Cables on the Benchmark. Aso power conditioner and isolation. I know spending $3,000 on cables and PC may seem silly on a $950 dac but it really makes the Benchmark perform way better that out of the box. I am truly amazed by it.
bjpd57a1
96 posts
 
The power cord alone! Will greatly change the sound

of the Benchmark. A cheap generic power cord will deliver,

that "metallic" sound, I know because I tried it.

I tried 5 different High End power cords, and each one had

it's own sonic signature.

Mine sounds awesome, and I when I listen, upgrading,

is the LAST thing on my mind.

You have to fiddle with it, to realize it's Best Sound.

Once you do, IMHO, the Benchmark is ALL the music I need.

Different is not always better. Just different.

We All hear different, so get what makes you forget about

upgrading.

The Benchmark is not for everyone, some people do not want

to hear the extreme detail that the Dac-1 presents.

But if you want to hear music, as it was recorded, the

Dac-1 will deliver every iota of the Recording. But it

takes time to find the best power cord for You, and the

rest of the connections are equally fussy, but well worth

it, once you get that Synergy between each component. Like

a metamorphosis occurs.The goosebump effect.

Love Your Music!
luc
47 posts
 
Hi,

I have a Benchmark DAC that I had modified. Bybee devices, new caps, and some of the wiring was changed. Benchmark liked the wiring adjustments so much that it incorporated some of them in its newer designs. It sounds much more musical now. I used Steven Balliet of Reflection audio. I am also now set to roll out my computer playback.

Cheers
4est
507 posts
 
Cerrot,
I concur as I have at least 3x the cost of the DAC 1 on it's power. What are you using?

Luc,
Do you know how the reflection audio mods compare to the parts connexion mods?

Bjpd57a1,

What power cord are you using?
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
No names on these PC's.Being the cable skeptic I'd like to hear some names.Biggest bang for lest buck given match with this unit?
Chazz
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