Benchmark DAC1 - 6 weeks in...

[jaxwired]

Been listening to the Benchmark DAC1 everyday for the last 6 weeks fed by a NAD C545bee CDP coax digital out. I've tried 3 different digital coax cables and prefer the inexpensive benchmark supplied cable to the 2 alternatives I've tried. Now that I've really had a good long time to consider this component I thought I'd share my impressions.

First of all, anyone that has followed my signature line knows that I'm fickle and hard to please. Well, I usually know within a couple weeks if something about a new purchase is bothering me. With the benchmark DAC1, there's no such grievances. This little silver box is a true giant killer in my opinion. The detail resolution is jaw dropping. There is a crispness and precision to well recorded CD playback that is the best I've ever heard. It's supremely detailed without harshness. An absolute knock out sound for my warm leaning system. In the wrong system the sound might be to clinical, but in my system the synergy is fantastic! It's a definate keeper. I enthusiastically recommend this product. Extremely good.

I will soon find out if the benchmark is sensitive to the source. I'm planning on changing out my NAD C545 with something else that is a little more reliable. Had problems with the NAD and now my new replacement unit is scratching my disks by ejecting them spinning into the tray. Time to try something else.

 

[Ajani]

Welcome to the club!!! I've had my Benchmark for about a year; first as my reference headphone amp and DAC and now as my DAC for a pair of active speakers... When I eventually get a far more expensive integrated/speaker combo, the Benchmark will still be the cornerstone of my system... It is easily the best Hi-Fi purchase I've made...

Now all we need is a cool name for our group, like the Dacmagic Mafia...

 

[chebby]

jaxwired:
I will soon find out if the benchmark is sensitive to the source. I'm planning on changing out my NAD C545 with something else that is a little more reliable. Had problems with the NAD and now my new replacement unit is scratching my disks by ejecting them spinning into the tray. Time to try something else.

I suggest you get a CD with a lot less moving parts devoted just to getting the thing in and out (trays, doors/flaps, cogs, worm drives etc.

A Rega Apollo (top loader with manually operated lid) is about as simple as it gets and is solid and nicely engineered. They come up on ebay now & then. In fact - as you only need a transport - the older Rega models would save a bit of cash and still get you a nice robust transport.

 

[chebby]

Have you tried plugging in a laptop with the USB? (Or optical if Mac)

Even if you are not into downloading or ripping stuff yourself, there is a wealth of good stuff online (try Radio Paradise at 192k or 128k AAC for a pleasant suprise.)

Plenty of (very) pertinent set-up info from your new friends here...

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

 

[John Duncan]

Ajani:Now all we need is a cool name for our group, like the Dacmagic Mafia...

That's DACMafia to you, fella. Respect the family.

 

[Dave_]

chebby:
Have you tried plugging in a laptop with the USB? The DAC1 doesn't have USB inputs.The USB,PRE and HDR models do.

 

[chebby]

daveh75:chebby:
Have you tried plugging in a laptop with the USB? The DAC1 doesn't have USB inputs.The USB,PRE and HDR models do.

That limits the use a bit then. (Unless you have optical connection to a laptop/Mac and use coax/XLR for the CD player)

 

[jaxwired]

chebby:daveh75:chebby:

Have you tried plugging in a laptop with the USB? The DAC1 doesn't have USB inputs.The USB,PRE and HDR models do.

That limits the use a bit then. (Unless you have optical connection to a laptop/Mac and use coax/XLR for the CD player)

First of all, thanks chebby for the CDP advice. Rega is at the top of my list. I also like the idea of no drawer mechanism to break.

Regarding the usb input on the benchmark, just to be clear for other readers of this thread, the model I purchased does not have a USB input. I didn't need it as I just don't listen to music from my computer. However, for a 20% upcharge there is a basically identical benchmark model to my DAC1 that adds the USB input.

 

[Ajani]

jaxwired:chebby:daveh75:chebby:

Have you tried plugging in a laptop with the USB? The DAC1 doesn't have USB inputs.The USB,PRE and HDR models do.

That limits the use a bit then. (Unless you have optical connection to a laptop/Mac and use coax/XLR for the CD player)

First of all, thanks chebby for the CDP advice. Rega is at the top of my list. I also like the idea of no drawer mechanism to break.

Regarding the usb input on the benchmark, just to be clear for other readers of this thread, the model I purchased does not have a USB input. I didn't need it as I just don't listen to music from my computer. However, for a 20% upcharge there is a basically identical benchmark model to my DAC1 that adds the USB input.

For the price of the DAC1 USB, I chose to buy the regular DAC1 and a Squeezebox Classic... That way I could still access all the music on my computer, but with the advantage of a remote....

 

[Megs]

Really interesting thread this for me as I'm off to the States for my old mucker's wedding and was seriously thinking about preordering the Benchmark Dac1 HDR with remote and getting it shipped to his gaff for my arrival. Obviously it's been a while since you posted this thread but the upside is that you had plenty of time to live with the Benchmark - are you still using it? Anyway my question is this...... I have my music collection stored on a 500gb mac mini feeding a dacmagic by USB and then into an old marantz pm6010 ose amp driving a pair of Epos M16 floorstanders - decent sound but not exactly audiophile. Had been looking at upgrading to Cyrus xpdqx integrated or maybe the pre amp version with an x power. Curious as to whether you've listened to the Cyrus options I've just mentioned and if so how you rate them against your Benchmark. Also if I go for the Benchmark acting as the preamp what are your thoughts about a suitable power amp. In the longer run I'll obviously look at a speaker upgrade.

 

[Craig M.]

i would really recommend you consider active speakers.

 

[Ajani]

Really interesting thread this for me as I'm off to the States for my old mucker's wedding and was seriously thinking about preordering the Benchmark Dac1 HDR with remote and getting it shipped to his gaff for my arrival. Obviously it's been a while since you posted this thread but the upside is that you had plenty of time to live with the Benchmark - are you still using it? Anyway my question is this...... I have my music collection stored on a 500gb mac mini feeding a dacmagic by USB and then into an old marantz pm6010 ose amp driving a pair of Epos M16 floorstanders - decent sound but not exactly audiophile. Had been looking at upgrading to Cyrus xpdqx integrated or maybe the pre amp version with an x power. Curious as to whether you've listened to the Cyrus options I've just mentioned and if so how you rate them against your Benchmark. Also if I go for the Benchmark acting as the preamp what are your thoughts about a suitable power amp. In the longer run I'll obviously look at a speaker upgrade.

You don't need to match an amp to the Benchmark as the sound is essentially neutral. I'd suggest looking at amp/speaker combos and buying one then the other...