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DAC choice advice - hard-drive based system

Putting together a system using network-attached USB hard drive (LaCie 500GB through a Linksys NSLU2), all music ripped lossless (FLAC), delivered over my 802.11g wireless net using a Squeezebox3.

In the general price range I'm considering, the Audiomirror, Perpetual Tech, Stello, and (it seems you can't *not* consider this) the Benchmark, all look interesting. I realize the Audiomirror takes a different approach as it's n/os.

I listen to a very wide variety of music.

Can you guys help me out with the pro's and con's of these options? I'm new to the DAC concept - am I missing anything I should be considering?

Also, what is the concept behind something like the Perpetual Tech P-1A? I don't really understand what it does (but have a general sense of the concept of oversampling). Is it just oversampling, similar to what's already built into the Benchmark for instance? How about the Audio Alchemy stuff, what's that do?

Thanks! Great forum, it's nice to have access to experts that don't mind speaking in language plain enough for us neophytes...
sixstringslinger3b7a

Showing 4 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Benchmark DAC-1 is probably the best value at this pricepoint (<$1K). It has the advantage of balanced outs as well - make sure to get a new one, not a used one. They have improved significantly over the past year.

The Perpetual P-3A can also sound as good as the Benchmark, but not without a lot of mods. the advantage of this one is that it has an I2S interface, which is a direct path to the DAC chip. With a USB to I2S converter, such as the Off-Ramp I2S, this is the simplest and best-sounding of the computer interfaces.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
DAC-1 changes:
1) added output buffer to SE outputs
2) lowered SE output impedance
3) added pot to balance L/R gain
4) added film SMT caps for coupling
5) changed regulators to cheapo plastic ones to eliminate plastic bushings
6) changed Op-amps from Philips to TI
7) stepped attenuator
8) changed LED resistors to reduce brightness

I think this is more than one change.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I've listened to a few DACS in my system, both modded and unmodded:
1) Dodson 217
2) Benchmark DAC-1
3) Perpetual P-3A and P-1A
4) dAck! version 1 and 2
5) Bel Canto DAC2
6) Electrocompaniet ECD-1
7) Birdland Odeon-lite
8) Van Alstine
9) MSB Gold
10) AudioNote DAC4.1X
11) EAD DSP 7000
12) Meridian 566

The Benchmark is the best sounding of these either stock or modded. Dont waste your time. Just buy a new one.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Sixstring - just dont buy an older Benchmark. It wont sound the same.
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