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Benchmark vs. PS Audio vs. Lavry

Now that I have installed my Apple TV, it's time to turn my attention to a new DAC. Anyone have experience with any of these three (or preferably all three)? I'd like to stay in the one thousand dollar range.

The Current Absolute Sound has an absolute rave review of the Benchmark DAC 1 Pre, essentially saying it cannot be improved upon in any significant way and that it solves problems associated with jitter. Same issue has a good article on music servers (mainly Apple TV and Squeezebox Duet) that will be of interest to folks in this forum.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
bbopman
restock
831 posts
 
Also just to add to my post: In my observations, the latest Benchmark DAC1USB in nowhere near thin and grainy. I did have that impression of an early model DAC1 though.
zear
69 posts
 
The Cullen Stage 3 PS Audio blows the Benchmark away. Rick Cullen has been involved in PS Audio's designs for years, and his mod is under warranty by PS Audio, which is very rare for modded equipment.

Cullen has a large facility that builds equipment for various companies, so the work is of the highest caliber.
jamesw20
270 posts
 
I have had the Benchmark and the standard PS Audio. I found the BM to be too detailed in my system as my Merlin speakers are very revealing themselves. I was actually warned of this by another goner prior to buying. I find the PS unit to be more full and easier to listen to for long periods. Both are great but system dependent.
mb9061
137 posts
 
I'm using a DAC1 USB. Using it with a Hydra 4 and Taipan Alpha Helix power cord and Acoustic Zen Reference II RCAs. Very happy with the setup.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
Not related to PC Audio, but to the Benchmark, I just hooked up a Masterlink CD Burner to the Benchmark using the AES/EBU 110 ohm xlr input (Apogee Wyde-EYE) and just can't believe how good it sounds. I do need to burn in the cable (the trombone in The Mooch - Sterophile Test CD) is a little isolated - a bit behind the sound stage) but the overall, initial sound, I gotta say, blew me away. I wish the squeezebox had an AES/EBU output. I would think one of the SB mods would be able to do that.
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