PS Audio? Rega? Benchmark?

Take advantage of PS Audio & Benchmark's in-home trial.

I am presently evaluating these (and other) DACs in my system. Both DACs are very good. However, they present the music very differently.

My findings are that there is no answer as to which is better. It totally comes down to system synergy and your personal preference.

The ONLY way to get it right is to let your ears do the deciding.

Kck:

Nope...was actually threatened by English teacher that I may not graduate high school, bekuz Eye ka'nt rite.

PS Audio recommends to give the DAC 2 weeks of straight play for the unit to to fully cook...the most significant improvements are noticed within the 1st few days.

At the sound of the beep, my PS DAC will have been continuously playing for 42 hours, 28 minutes and 17 seconds. BEEEEP!

I will report back within a week with a more accurate comparrision. For now, I will hold off using descriptions like: warm, sterile, analytical etc.

Based on initial impressions, I will say that both the PS DL-III and Benchmark's DAC1 produce a lot of detail. The Benchmark seems to squeeze out a little more detail and "air." Whereas the PS Audio DAC has a more "refined" sound.

Simultaniously, I am trying some other system changes. With these changes, I feel that the Benchmark DAC is a better match. With other changes, I prefer the PS Audio DAC. So, as I previously stated, chosing the right DAC can be pretty system dependent.

Regarding the in-home trial, I did not suggest trying gear just because the offer to try it is there. I too only beleive in taking advantage of the offer if there is a genuine interest in the product that may result in its purchase. Besides, I barely have enough time to audition these 2 DACs. I certainly do not have the time to try gear, just because I can. However, considering how system dependent these componnets can be, you owe it to yourself to hear it in your home/system, before you plunk down the cabage.

I will report back. Also in the evaluation process is the Monarchy M24.

Virtually all of my evaluations are being conducted in fully balanced systems.

Coax and Toslink only...I am not techy enough to go with a USB set up.

I guess I need to go back to the owner's manuals to familiarize myself with what an ASIO device driver is.

The only thing that I have bypassed is the DAC that is in my cdp.

Follow-ups on the DACs as time permits.

Hi Gang:

An unexpected family matter has put me behind schedule. Hoping to get in some listening/evaluating time over the wknd.

Bear w/me. I will report back.

Thanks.

Hi Everyone:

Thanks for your patience.

I was able to spend some time comparing 2 of the 3 DACs. So far, I have compared the SS units (PS Audio DL-III & Benchmark DAC1.)

Both our very good sounding DACs and very good values, in he $1k range.

Ultimately, what I found is that these DACs are both good performers, but quite a bit different in their focus/strengths.

To my ears, the Benchmark DAC is all about squeezing out every last bit of detail. It did most things very well and overall sounded very good. The downside in my experience was with poor quality recordings. Being such a highly resolving DAC, it made the bad recordings sound thier worst...big time fatigue. On the flip side, good quality recordings were very enjoyable in all repsects.

The PS Audio DL-III did not seem to have quite the detail & "air" that the Benchmark DAC had. However, the DL-III seemed to portray a more accurate naturalness with texture and timbre. You often hear people use the phrase "fleshed out." In comparrison to the Benchmark DAC, this is where the PS DL-III realy shines.

Though not as resolving as the Benchmark unit, I would not describe the DL-III as lacking in the detail department.

Because of its richer textures, I found the DL-III to be a bit more "musical."

I will report back in the near future, after I get a bit more familiar with the Monarch M24.

Basically, I would have to summarize by stating that there is no good or bad, in comparing these DACs. It truely comes down to system synergy & personal preference. I recommend that you audition these units in your system with your music, to let your ears decide.

While auditioning these DACs, I was also auditioning some different amplifications gear.

Speakers (Daedalus DA-1) and Cables (Kubala-Sosna) were consistent throughout the evaluation.

Pre amps were: MBL 5011, McIntosh C2200 & C200.
Power amps were: H20 Audio Signature Mono 250, McIntosh MC352.