I know that your initial list didn't mention it, but W4S DAC-2 is a very good DAC, has excellent volume control and HT bypass. In my experience, it left the Benchmark in the dust and scored way better than Oppo 105 at a shootout in my house.
Benchmark DAC2 or Bel Canto DAC3.5VB or OPPO 105
I've been reading tons of info and just can't decide on the best computer dac + preamp...
I've started looking at DacMagic plus and quickly got carried way into the higher end ones:
Looked at Benchmark DAC2 and Bel Canto DAC3.5VB but recently came around OPPO 105 player as a dac as well...
(at one point I considered zodiac gold but the weak bass performance, as I've read, discouraged me).
What I have right now is a PC with Auzintech X-FI Prelude sound card going to an ONKYO 905 via toslink and then to Merlin TSM-MM speakers for stereo and others as surrounds. I use my setup as all around entertainment/ht/computer/music system and now I want to upgrade with an external DAC and and amp for the stereo fronts...
Thanks!
I've started looking at DacMagic plus and quickly got carried way into the higher end ones:
Looked at Benchmark DAC2 and Bel Canto DAC3.5VB but recently came around OPPO 105 player as a dac as well...
(at one point I considered zodiac gold but the weak bass performance, as I've read, discouraged me).
What I have right now is a PC with Auzintech X-FI Prelude sound card going to an ONKYO 905 via toslink and then to Merlin TSM-MM speakers for stereo and others as surrounds. I use my setup as all around entertainment/ht/computer/music system and now I want to upgrade with an external DAC and and amp for the stereo fronts...
Thanks!