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Benchmark DAC1USB vs PRE1 vs Transporter

as a 2 channels pre/pro in a 2nd system:

It will be used to drive a power amp (Ayre V3, I think the load is 10k) and will be connected via USB directly to a PC.

Pros? Cons?

- One big pro for transporter is the remote volume control
- One pro for PRE1 is the analog-in for SACD player
- DAC1USB is of course, the cheapest. (or use the $ for a good 2nd hand preamp?)

Benchmark PRE1 seems to have newer Op-amp compared to DAC1, is it true?

cheers,
kschiu

Showing 1 response by wireless200

wireless200
415 posts
 
I was in the same boat. I went with the Transporter. I already had a Squeezebox thus I didn't need the Transporter for the wireless capability. After doing a lot of reading, I decided the Transporter would sound better as well as limiting the number of pieces on the rack. It's close to my Rega Planet CD player.
Here's a couple of URLs you might find interesting.

http://www.slimdevices.com/temp/noise_floor.gif
and
http://www.slimdevices.com/temp/transporter_vs_benchmark.gif
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