2. digital
  3. 158509-95184

DAC Measurements vs Actual Experience

I have spent the last two days evaluating which of these two DACs I will be keeping:
1) Benchmark DAC3
2) PS Audio DirectStream

I'm foregoing the use of a dedicated preamp; the chosen DAC will serve that purpose.* 

I had read up on the technical side of each of these exhaustively before purchase. For those of you who aren't familiar, the Benchmark DAC3 measures quite well in every category. The PS Audio DirectStream, on the other hand, not so much. In fact, Audio Science Review places these two near opposite ends of its SINAD (signal-to-noise-and-distortion) list with the PS Audio being positioned near the bottom. Stereophile also provided measurements in their review that painted the PS Audio in an unfavorable light. 

And yet the DirectStream is proving to provide a sound that is more, dare I say, musical. It's a bit more relaxed, sounding a tad reserved in comparison to the DAC3, and the presentation of 100 Hz and lower seems to be slightly vague, but it's also less edgy, possessing a better soundstage, and is overall ever-so-slightly more enjoyable. So what am I doing wrong?

* Is it worth considering putting a dedicated preamp downstream of the DAC3 in hopes of gaining a more favorable sound? 
sixfour3

Showing 12 responses by djones51

djones51
4,947 posts
 
No I wouldn't think putting a preamp after the Benchmark would matter unless it's a tube preamp. Both DACs are performing as expected IMO. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Yes perception and measurements can disagree. I'm a measurements guy and I also like accuracy, I had a Benchmark DAC3 and liked it I found it very "musical ". The only reason I sold it is I got a new integrated amp with room correction and I really couldn't tell a difference between it and the Benchmark. The PS Audio as you mentioned doesn't measure well it has more noise in a way it is more like vinyl or what a lot of audiophiles say warm, analog like, natural etc.. which isn't uncommon for poor measuring DACs. Some prefer that sound, it's more what we grew up with and associate with sounding right. I will probably get jumped on with what I say they often do, there is nothing wrong with liking what you like or preferring and following your perceptions instead of the measurements don't get hung up on how it measures. Another thing you could try is listen with your ears and not your eyes. Try to get someone to help out and listen to the DACs blind it might surprise you. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Again, the level of noise isn't perceptibly different than that of the Benchmark in my current system
If that were the case they would sound the same since the Benchmark is considered transparent. The "noise" would not be perceived as noise like hiss or hum  but a certain sound like relaxed, reserved, laid back, limited dynamic range. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Don't think of this as criticism of the Direct Stream while it measures lousy a lot of people like the sound which is what we're looking for. Some don't like anaylitical and the DS is definitely not that. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The type of distortion I'm talking about limits the dynamic range making the bass sound a little soft and highs exaggerated. I'm not sure how that translates to more detail.  Maybe you're more sensitive to middle frequencies and are concentrated there try listening to female vocals and see if the high notes sound like she has a lisp. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
If I had dirty power I would hear noise on all recordings not just lousy mastered ones. I see no need to come on this thread just to insult me and offer nothing to the OP. Thanks for playing.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I’ve owned the Benchmark it’s brutally honest if the source is lousy, harsh, bright then that’s what you get . If the source is great then it gives you great. There’s no middle ground with Benchmark that’s the way it’s designed and marketed. That’s what I loved about it and it’s what I still get since the DAC in my integrated is transparent. PS Audio is on the other end of the spectrum as you've pointed out. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The Benchmark has excellent USB implementation I don't think using the Mac would affect it not sure about the other DAC. If you had a ground loop or mains hum it should be pretty apparent.  Dirty power seems to be the most recent craze. Some might have problems with their power I've never noticed any. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I've never liked using volume in apps I set it to fixed and use the controls on the preamp or DAC or integrated depending on what I'm using. Obviously you can't do that with the DS. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I guess the ADSM is the Linn ? I looked on the ASR site and see the Linn and Benchmark are very close on their chart. I've heard the Benchmark but not the Linn and at the price I doubt I ever will. My guess is in a blind test I doubt I could tell one from the other. Once DACs have reached a level where their performance is beyond human audibly I don't understand how they could be told apart. I have listened to other DACs in the same measurement range as these two and I couldn't. I know I'm deaf and my system is garbage. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Contrary to what this implies these two concepts are not mutually exclusive. 


You do you and carry on with measurement first mentality. I use my ears and keep the equipment that sounds good to me.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
You give two different parameters. I look at measurements first if it sounds bad I don't buy it or keep it. The type of music I listen to has nothing to do with the components I buy. A DAC doesn't steer me to listen to certain kinds of music. 
More to discover