Benchmark DAC1 Pre - anybody heard a mod?

One month down and I am still contemplating options...

1. Mod the Benchmark DAC1 Pre
2. Get a tube pre
3. Sell the Benchmark and start from scratch! (a upgrade bug! but I really do not want to do this)

I am tempted by option 2. There are a couple of used tube preamps that have come up in the market here:

Audio Space Line 2 or CAT SL 1 and others...

I am currently using the XLR outputs of the Benchmark to my ATI 2002 power amp. Most tube pre amps have RCA inputs and outputs. Are the RCA and XLR outputs on the Benchmark equal? I do not have RCA cables so unable to try this out for now.

Hey Beatster,

Say hello to Singapore!

Let's look at your entire system:
ATI Amp; sort of a home theater heritage and on the clinical side
Benchmark; also on the clinical side, it already excels in resolution and imaging, I can't see it turning into a warm piece of equipment.
Usher; very nice...., no complaints here.

I would approach your upgrade path with a look forward towards the future, as opposed to a one and done sort of upgrade.

The way I look at your system, you're plugging an analytical DAC/PRE into an analytical Amp, no wonder you're not happy with the sound.

I think you should buy a tubed preamp that can remain in your system for years to come, and then in the future I would consider a warmer SS amp, I would probably recommend one of the new excellent Class D Amps. I could certainly vouch for the Bel Canto Ref1000. If you do this, than I think the Benchmark will shine, remember I also own the Benchmark in my office system.

If you buy a tubed preamp, and a Class D Amp, with your Benchmark DAC and Usher Speakers, I think you will get the warm analog sound that you're looking for, without sacrificing detail and resolution. If you still don't like the sound than I would sell the Benchmark, not modify it, and I would buy a Bel Canto DAC3, once again I have extensive experience with this DAC and it has everything that is lacking from the Benchmark.

Rich

Hi Beat,
I too own the Benchmark (DAC1), I was planning to use it as a preamp to my tube/SS hybrid Butler amp, but have been waiting years for BM to make a remote control. They now have one in the new $1900 model, which seems very nice. But a new contender has arisen - Peachtree Nova. It is an integrated amp, with a killer ESS Sabre dac, an 80 watt amp, remote control and tube preamp, all with HT bypass. It has the ability to turn off the tube if desired, and had preamp outs to use with an external amp. It was recently compared to the BM Pre in a review and held its own well. It seems like a steal at $1200. I am going to sell my Dac1 soon for the Nova.

Check out the review: http://www.avguide.com/review/playback-peachtree-audio-nova-hybrid-integrated-ampusb-dac

I have no affiliation.
Steel

The RCA outputs on the Benchmark are fine. I'm not familiar with Audio Space, but don't go by that, I do like the CAT a lot though.

I'm not sure of your budget, however, I would also like to add; VTL 5.5, Atma-Sphere MP-3, Joule Electra LA150, Aesthetix Saturn Calypso, PrimaLuna ProLogue3, and Rogue Audio Metis to your list. Some are more costly than others, but at least this list will give you a good starting point.

I haven't listened to many of these, but they have all received wonderful accolades and awards from TAS and Stereophile alike.

Rich

I have the benhmark and once I upgraded cables & power cords (tara labs the one rca & shunyata python Vx Alpha Helix PC) and set all on a symposium shelf (w/nordost digital cable from digital source) the sound is awesome. The cables made a huge difference in my system (solid state/electrostatics so pretty critical, unforgiving and revealing and not clinical at all).

Only upgrade path I would take is the Berkley-maybe the new PS Audio but not sure the PS would be a large enough improvement for me.