Benchmark DAC1 still relevant?

Yes.  I am the TOSLINK output to the DAC1 and then The XLR outputs to an Aragon 8008BB driving a pair of B&W 802’s series 80

The Auralic Aries Mini is a good streamer but the DAC1 will very likely sound better than the Mini’s built-in DAC. Just give it a listen and see what you think. I have the Benchmark DAC3 which is an improvement over the DAC1. It’s upt o you whether you think it’s worth the coin to upgrade to a DAC3 or any host of other high-quality similarly priced DACs such a Chord Qutest or perhaps Schiit Yggy. All will sound better than your mini’s built-in DAC. I personally don’t think you need a new streamer unless your budget is pretty hefty.

I assume you know you can connect the ARIES MINI to an external DAC using TOSLINK, digital coax or USB digital outputs.

right now it is only an auralic Aries mini

@hifi  Your DAC1 was never a relevant streamer because it's only a  DAC.  What are you using now to stream to the DAC?

I'll tell you how you can tell.

Can you hear a marked difference between Redbook (44.1 kHz/16) and high resolution music? If not, keep it.

If Hi rez sounds significantly better, it's time to upgrade. :)


I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but over the last 10-15 years Redbook performance has gotten so much better.