Benchmark VS Mark levinson 36 DAC ?????????

If decide on a Benchmark DAC 1, I highly recommend the Parts Connexion (PCX) XLR or RCA mod.

In my system, after the XLR mod it's competitive with DAC 4X the price.

Actually stock Benchmark is not very good. I heard it in a system I'm familiar with and was very surprise after reading all the raving accolades. After the PCX mod it was a HUGE improvement and I ended purchasing one.

06-09-11: Kijanki
I was and still am, for a change, impressed with stock Benchmark.

Go for it if you are impress with it. How it sounds in your system and to you is the most important.

I never found stock to sound bright or forward. It was a little muffled, lacking detail and resolution.

I sold mine a while ago but definitely worth a try for the $$.

Kijanki, this is the reason if you like it, go for it :-)

I heard the Benchmark in very sophisticated systems where it was the least expensive component including cables. I cannot stand brightness so it's possible the problem is NOT the Benchmark??

Shadorne, I think the opposite is true if it's overdriving the next device in the audio chain ... sound will be bright, edgy, hard ... It's just didn't sounded very good soft or loud.

In the PCX mod, Chris Johnson replaces/voices the whole analog output stage with much higher quality parts especially the op-amps. I don't chase the latest and greatest digital gear and was very happy with it for several years.

Shadorne and Kijanki, Anything is possible ... my friend and my unit were purchased ~1.5 years apart from different dealers, ran XLR ... It's also very possible we are not as impressed with the stock units as you guys. Take Care!