2. pc-audio
  3. 1215573439

Benchmark vs. PS Audio vs. Lavry

Now that I have installed my Apple TV, it's time to turn my attention to a new DAC. Anyone have experience with any of these three (or preferably all three)? I'd like to stay in the one thousand dollar range.

The Current Absolute Sound has an absolute rave review of the Benchmark DAC 1 Pre, essentially saying it cannot be improved upon in any significant way and that it solves problems associated with jitter. Same issue has a good article on music servers (mainly Apple TV and Squeezebox Duet) that will be of interest to folks in this forum.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
bbopman

Showing 3 responses by cerrot

cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I have a Benchmark and have read all the reviews. I absolutely agree with the recent Absolute Sound review. The key is the (1) power conditioner (I have a Shunyata Hydra 8) (2) power cord (Shunyata Python) and (3) interconnects (Tara Labs RSC AIR One). Everyone says leans to thin and grainy and before the cables, PC & Power Conditioner - I agreed. I know a $2500 power conditioner, $1,100 Power Cord and $1,000 IC's may seem overkill but I find it difficult to beat the sound with these upgrades. Only bested by my CD player (Esoterin X03-SE). You gotta try the benchmark if you can go with cable upgrades.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
Not related to PC Audio, but to the Benchmark, I just hooked up a Masterlink CD Burner to the Benchmark using the AES/EBU 110 ohm xlr input (Apogee Wyde-EYE) and just can't believe how good it sounds. I do need to burn in the cable (the trombone in The Mooch - Sterophile Test CD) is a little isolated - a bit behind the sound stage) but the overall, initial sound, I gotta say, blew me away. I wish the squeezebox had an AES/EBU output. I would think one of the SB mods would be able to do that.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
The only cable which combines video & audio is an HDMI. Audio will go through the coax (or toslink). You will need hdmi or component for the video from source direct to tv/monitor. Not sure if you need to set a preference (in a menu) to have audio default through the coax-on my gear (Pioneer Elite Plasma/receiver/blue ray player) you would.
More to discover