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Finding a little warmth from Benchmark1 USB DAC

So I've always appreciated a relatively dry sound from my audio equipment, and abhored the sound that tubed equipment yields. I started the hobby when I was in high school by getting a pair of Dynaudio Contour 1.8 mk IIs, and wound up with a Krell 300il (identical to the 400xi)last year. I just finished off my "system" after buying a Benchmark 1 USB DAC, that I am connecting to an older iMac that has my music collection in a lossless format.

My issue is that while I adore the setup's overall resolution and pinpoint accuracy, it's producing a very lean sound that is a bit bright, and stark for my tastes. My favorite listening setup was a Levinson 383 integrated hooked up to Dynaudio Special 25s. The Dynaudios had spectacular resolution and neutrality, while the Levinson was able to give a substantial, slightly darker sound that was not overly rich (like tubes can be for me).

So my question is, with the way I've framed things above, are there suggestions for interconnects or equipment that will find that balance for me? I feel like my existing components have potential, but it's just too much of the analytical sound.

As an aside, I tried the Benchmark with my brother's S3 B&W 801s and Audio Research gear, and it wasn't bad at all.
velociti
richlane
167 posts
 
"I'm just trying to inject the maximum amount of warmth for the fewest dollars"

How about a blanket? (LOL)

Hey Velociti,

Yeah absolutely man, I hear ya, been there done that. I didn't realize that you bought it new. I think Benchmark also offers a 30day return policy, if that's an option. Maybe your Brother wants to buy it?

Without going too crazy then, you could probably get a warmer sound by changing speaker cables, interconnects, cords, or adding an inexpensive tubed preamp? But that could all add up to big bucks too?

Are you using a USB or digital connection?

Can anyone else recommend inexpensive warmer sounding cables?

Rich
audiojedi
225 posts
 
Trying out a Lavry DA10 would likely be a decent consideration as well. I had an original DAC1 a few years back and I would characterize the Lavry as being more rich sounding while still being quite detailed and accurate as well. I definitely find the Lavry to have a bit more body without tipping too far into warm and fuzzy territory which seems to be what you are trying to avoid.
velociti OP
8 posts
 
I actually bought it from another audiogon'er, so it's not new, though it's in epic shape.

I'm using it directly from my laptop via a USB connection with Shure SE530s and Grado 125s. I only got to spend about 3 hours listening to my actual setup since I've packed away everything to move.

Rich, I think speaker cables and cords are probably the way to go for me. I bought a pair of Audioquest King Cobra XLRs on ebay, so I'll find out how they alter the sound. Forgive my haphazard approach to all of this...being on a budget for the past decade with HS, college and now grad school has limited me in terms of buying the stuff I know that I like. Hopefully once I'm out of school and earning more I can approach this hobby properly!
velociti OP
8 posts
 
Don't get me wrong, by the way. I love my headphones and equipment, all of which I've bought used, or gone gray market for, but I know that had I had the money, I would have purchased the Dynaudio Contour 3.0s rather than 1.8s, the Levinson 383 Integrated and likely the Krell 280cd. One of these days...
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
This goes against your anti-tube bias, but I suspect that adding an inexpensive but good quality one-tube line stage, such as this one from Antique Sound Labs for $345 (new), would be a more effective fix than changing interconnects, power cords, etc. And it would provide you with the flexibility to fine-tune the sound via tube rolling.

http://www.divertech.com/asllineone.html

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ASWL1

I have used this model in the past, and I found it to be essentially neutral in a system which otherwise leaned slightly in the rich, warm sounding direction.

If you decide to try it, be aware that it inverts polarity, so you would want to reverse the + and - connections to each of your speakers.

Regards,
-- Al

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