I agree, the most important part of the DAC is the reconstruction and output analog, though from my listening I would have to give a lot of props to the digital implementation ( not the chip) as the Atom+ still holds it's own with a 3-generation old chip and generic OP-Amp output. John seems to know what he is doing. The same has been said about Geselli but I have not heard one. One of the reasons I decided to try the D300es was their higher end output from their entry level. ( multi parallel OPA OP-Amps) and claimed better power supplies. I also have a Schiit Asgard that has a very good discrete output. Granted, Benchmark is , well the Benchmark. If I had the bucks, ( $2200?) a Benchmark might have been on the table. Their literature suggests they have addressed all the issues I know about. At least with Benchmark, you are paying for the circuit, not the advertising. I was looking at an AHB2, but too much money. I think of Bryston kind of the same way but don;t know if it is still true.
The differences are slight, but maybe the SMSL does have a little sharper details compared to the JDS, but I am not sure it is as pleasant. The older AKM Schiit DAC was edgier until I reduced the JRiver output. They all got closer then.
Unfortunately, we are dealing with new and re-mastered tracks post "loudness wars" and we are lucky if that 24 bit download is more than 12 bits. Now as far as internal DSP, having many more bits to deal with for overhead allows more filter choices and then the ability to adjust the level without adding additional clipping. Another advantage to newer chips or stacking them.
I agree an integrated DAC and Pre, or for that matter full integrated amp is a better engineering solution as it eliminates any cabling issues or other engineering tradeoffs by not knowing the following stage. It can reduce money spent on things like fancy cabinets and sharing things like the digital power supply separate from analog supplies. After looking at several integrated amps, I chose to remain separates and picked up the Vidar. Of the very few that actually power up with AC supplied, I was not impressed with the DAC in any I could afford. I am putting a servo remote in my Asgard, the Topping and SMSL both have preamp modes so the integrated preamp section is redundant.
One trap I think we get into is "hearing new things" not because they are there, but because we are listening for them. How many times has someone pointed out something odd in a track you ever noticed, but once noticed, you don't un-hear it even when you chill out and are just listening to music.
So , one day only I am not impressed with the SMSL. I may want a more artificially smoother DAC like an R2R. Unfortunately R2R is an expensive technology to implement, so the "Equivalent" quality level is likely several times a chip DAC. Spring and Pontius seem to be the suggested actual improvement. Neither is available for me to borrow. A Bifrost is about the only option.
Alas, I am forced with my living room as it is as it is our living room, not a sound demonstration room. Not bad, but a little bright. I have tracked down all the little things that can buzz.
I repetitive comment is criticizing non-mega-buck systems. None of those folks know mine. At the listening levels I use, mine speakers are very resolving. Granted, in a bigger room and played much louder, there are better choices. I don;t need a 1000W super amp as I never use mote than about 10.
