"Best" DAC for a grand or less

Chicagojtw, opamps like LM4562 use tons of negative feedback to get low distortion levels. Vanishingly low THD ( 110 dB) really doesn't correlate with accurate sound according to many makers of high end DACs, although they are compelled to have really good numbers to satisfy people like you. I have to agree them. I have a tube amp where you can adjust the negative feedback; up to certain point, negative feedback can be a good thing (may be up to 20 dB on my amp), but if I go higher, the more congested and thin the sound gets and the harmonic information gets lost. Now my understanding is some opamps use over 100 dB of negative feedback. The thin bright sound usually used to describe the Benchmark probably has a lot to do with opamps in the output stage. I attend live unamplified concerts and play acoustic guitar. DACs like Benchmark do not sound natural/accurate to me. A DAC with a simple discrete or correctly executed tubed output stage sound more natural/accurate to me. All DAC manufactures make components that measure very well (flat FR, vanishingly low THD, high S/N (usually >110 dB for most DACs). I really don't hear a correlation between these measurements and actual sound quality, as I have heard piss poor sound reproduction from DACs with extremely good specs.

>>04-10-11: Chicagojtw
Audiofeil--
Read the article I linked above.<<

I could care less about what some reviewer or magazine prints. I prefer to listen.

>>There is no possible audible improvement over the DAC1.<<

Then you haven't heard dacs from DSS, Audio Note (dealer disclaimer), Wavelength, Esoteric (dealer disclaimer), and APL Hifi.

Basically, you're a rookie.

Chicago, the Benchmark DAC1 is the best...if you like bland and thin sound.

To the OP, check out W4S and Burson's new DAC, both sound very good for the $.

the paradisea is another. any others ?
Mrtennis

Glad to see this one being listed. I do hope MHDT lab still produces outstanding product at affordable prices, I understand they came out with newer models. Great sense of musicality is their strength which hardly can be matched regardless of price.

I recently purchased a Havana NOS DAC and am thrilled with it. It has a tube buffer but unlike the Paradesea which uses an op amp in the output it is eliminated in the Havana, this has got to make some difference in the sound between the two IMHO. The best under 1K? I'm not going there since I haven't heard many of the current ones in this price range but it should be a safe bet if you are looking for natural timbers, excellent resolution and non fatiguing sound at an affordable price. It really draws you into the music, amazing. It is a huge improvement over the Bel Canto 1.1 it replaced.

BTW, the sound is both fuller with an improvement in bass without any undue emphasis.