Benchmark DAC1 Pre - anybody heard a mod?

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.

Cerrot - what changed from power cable on Benchmark alone? I'm planning to put power conditioner (Furman 20PFi) and very short power cable (Belden 83803) to Benchmark.

I have an upgraded Zu Audio Bok power cable on my Benchmark, and it basically lowers the noise floor, and provides for a clearer, cleaner presentation which is really cool, so the notes sound like they are more isolated projecting out of a darker background. I'm not using any power conditioning though.

Rich