I remember several years back there was an inexpensive DAC that was THE rave for its price point. I ordered one with great anticipation that it was a panacea for everything wrong with digital. After a total of 3 days, with a 30 day money back guarantee, I was ready to return the unit at the chagrin of the dealer who told me to just let it break in, give it a chance. Out of respect for him I did give it a chance, a week of constant playing. Unfortunately, nothing changed, it was positively digital sounding, the upper frequencies were absolutely unlistenable, but it did offer detailed sound with quite decent bass yet I couldn't for the life of me understand what all the fuss was concerning this piece. I eventually sent it back, waiting the full 30 days so the dealer wouldn't come back and accuse me of not giving it a chance.
Lesson learned, good digital doesn't come cheap. I'm unfamiliar with the Benchmark but from what I've read about its sonic characteristics, I wouldn't commit to it without listening first. Then on the other hand, if you can pick one up cheap enough used with the realization that it could be sold without too much of a loss it might well be worth investigating sound unheard. No knock, I haven't heard this product but often times something too good to be true often times is just that! Cavaet emptor.
