Benchmark DAC1 vs CAL Sigma

Thanks for the reply Michael. I haven't tried a different tube, but that's an excellent suggestion. Where do you buy your tubes?

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Lostbears, my Sigma is pulling 'dual duty' for me. I am running pc based audio into it via a digital coax cable, and I am also running an Oppo DV-980h into the Sigma via optical cable so that I can enjoy concert DVDs through my 2 channel stereo system (such as Diana Krall's Paris & Rio concerts & the many outstanding jazz DVD offerings from Jazz Icons such as Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Art Farmer etc) I flip a switch on the Sigma to go from coax to optical input.

I have a Doge 6 Tube CD Player for redbook CD, but I have to say that that playing redbook CD through the Oppo/Sigma combo sounds ALMOST as good as it sounds through my $1500 Doge-save for this bit of shrillness that I mentioned in my original post. Here's the rest of my system:

ARC LS-3 Preamp
Bryston 4B_ST Amp
Doge 6 Tube CDP
Oppo DV-980h Universal Player
Revel F30 Speakers
Morrow Audio MA-2/SP-2/MAP-2 Reference Interconnects/cables/cords

Dne, Thanks for the input, those comparisons are very helpful indeed. BTW I'm using a Morrow Audio DIG2 Reference Digital Coax & a Kimber OPT1 TosLink Cable with the Sigma.

Shadorne, Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I don't think that the F30's are the source of the shrillness. I've had the speakers since 2003 and have never had any issue whatsoever with upper end shrill until adding my old Sigma to the chain.

Transnova, Thanks for the helpful replies. I have considered introducing something along the lines of the Monarchy. Where does it fit in 'the chain'? I presume between the transport and the DAC, no?

Thanks Chesebert, that's very helpful.