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Next step after Benchmark DAC1

Hello guys! I was really in love with my DAC1 lately but it's time to upgrade but don't know where to.
Is there any of those who loved the first version and upgraded to something new from high-end line up? I love almost everything in DAC1, especially it's PRAT and signature, it's crystal clear and dead quiet. But there is one thing that forced me to sell it — there is a lack of resolution. It totally failed while I've bought my vinyl rig. Some guys told me that higher version PRE or HDR would sound better. Is that so?

The owner of DAC2 told me that it sound completelly different.

Other sources I've owned/listened and didn't liked are:
Lavry DA10
Ps Audio DLIII
VALAB NOS DAC
McIntosh MCD201, MCD500
Antelope

PS. I'm not into analog like sound and whatever it is. I need a quiet and crystal clear sound full of PRAT, that's what I call an egaging DAC.

My rig:
McIntosh MA2275
Klipsch RF-7II
Technics 1210 MKII + Ortofon 2M Black
128x128theppd
theppd's avatar
theppd OP
18 posts
 
@Dne, just to clarify my previous experience with DAC1, I've had non USB version and fed it from Apple TV/MacBook Pro via Toslink. So maybe that was an issue source?

Right now, I'm waiting for the PRE version of the DAC1 and gonna feed it via stock USB at first, then I upgrade the power cable, since I've bought an amaizing RCA cable already it's Acrotec 2050 (really awesome sound for me), and then I'm about to buy top AQ USB cable, next up is Berkeley USB. So here are my plans for that setup. Oh, and the source is gonna be the Mac Mini.
dne
141 posts
 
@Theppd, I would expect that the improvements you're making in the power cord and usb cable will make a big difference. The toslink that you used previously could have contributed to the lack of resolution if, like many people, you used just a standard plastic toslink. Those are bad.

I first used one awhile back, then went to an inexpensive glass toslink, which was much much better, then went to a Wireworld glass toslink which blew away the inexpensive glass toslink. Tremendous improvement in all areas!
electroslacker
375 posts
 
I just started feeding my Benchmark DAC1 through a Wireworld Starlight USB from a Windows 7 laptop, and have been listening to Radio Paradise at 192kb. I think it sounds great, and like it better than when fed from CD player over coax. Seems smoother, or maybe it's just new.
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
991 posts
 
The M2Tech Young with Palmer (battery) Power Station would be an excellent upgrade. Well received by Stereophile in latest May 2013 issue. It was actually compared to the Benchmark DAC and was preferred.
dne
141 posts
 
@jpn2020, Just to clarify, the Benchmark dac used in the article was the DAC1 USB ($1,195) not the Benchmark DAC2. Price of the M2Tech Young with power station was shown as $2748.
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