Burson HA160D or Benchmark Dac1

Either dac would be a great choice. The Benchmark has unbelievable resolution and I've always considered it a great value. But I'm really starting to like the 160D. It may have a touch less resolution, but it sounds more like music to me. There is more weight and more emotional impact. I know this is hard to quantify, but it gets me more in touch with the soul of the music.

I can't speak to how transport dependent the Burson is, and I haven't used the USB at all. But I think the headphone amp in the Burson is clearly superior to the Benchmark.

Again, both are strong, but the 160D should be perfect for my second system, and is the winner to my ears. Your milage may vary.

You should also consider a Matrix mini-i. It sounds great, built well and extremely flexable. And, it cost about 1/4 of the other units.

2nd hiccup noticed on the Burson HA 160-D

with the volume pot at zero, there is still a very low level signal that can be heard from the Aerial 10T's mid/tweeter unit. It is definitely the music signal.

I was told by Burson that there should be none of this going on.

I contacted Sound Earphones and they are going to take care of this issue.
Great service and great people - so far.
However, I'll have to wait til they get their new shipment. Should be another week.

I'll report back again after getting the unit that is performing as it should.

I would add that the dynamic range with the Burson directly driving my Bryston 4B SST is huge. Watching DVD's with Oppo driving the Burson via coaxial, no compression or strain is noticed. Dynamic effects can be truly startling via the Aerial 10T's.

I also have both- the Burson - just breaking in- and the Benchmark. Agree completely with above- the Burson has a richer sonic signature, a more tactile, alive presentation, and more "startling" dynamics compared to the Benchmark. That said, the Benchmark's leaner midbass creates a sense a greater detail- on movie soundtracks I notice that it is a little harder to hear the dialogue with the Burson (the Benchmark is a dialogue champion).

Like others, my Burson is only accepting 16/44 via USB right now with a "fix on the way."

I do not have the Burson but as a stand alone DAC/PRE, the Benchmark is as detailed yet has better dynamic and body / weight than my extremely good Alps blue velvet passive volume control set up of umpteen years.