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Upgrade from Benchmark Dac?

The Benchmark USB DAC is the first piece of digital gear that I've bought and been happy with. I still prefer analog but listening to 50,000+ wav files randomly is pretty sweet.

I've had an Audio Research DAC 3 as well as a CD1 which I thought sounded like crap. I have ARC electronics and love them but their digital offerings left me cold. On the value for money scale the Benchmark gets my highest rating although my local hifi emporiums claim the PS Audio or Bryston is better.

Anything out there in the digital world that will blow me away like the Benchmark? I don't want to spend ten times the dough to get a debatable 10% more "sound".
ntscdan

Showing 2 responses by cerrot

cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I agree with 4est 1000% on interconnects and Power Cables on the Benchmark. Aso power conditioner and isolation. I know spending $3,000 on cables and PC may seem silly on a $950 dac but it really makes the Benchmark perform way better that out of the box. I am truly amazed by it.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
4est,

Powercord is the Shunyata Python Vx Helix (into Shunyta Hydra w/20amp Python PC) on Symposium sveltshelf; IC's are Tara Labs The One.

Sidssp, I don't know if it sounds better than a $4,000 DAC as I haven't heard one in my system. I do have an Esoteric X03SE CD Player, which was $8,000 (+ Python Vx Helix Vx and Tara Balanced The One PC & IC) and the Esoteric does sound much better, but the Benchmark sounds awesome and, for now, am happy with it. The benchmark (hooked to squeezebx) is just for the convenience, casual listening. When I want my mind blown, it's The Esoteric or Vinyl. I am VERY happy with the Benchmark and am quite amazed when I put a playlist together while reading and can't read as I am too involved with the listening. If it were my main source, I'd probably upgrade the Benchmark to the Berkley, or get an Esoteric D03.

I am enjoying the Benchmark way too much for $950 - and, if I did get a $4,000 dac, I would still use $3,000 worth of cables, and, I would be surprised if it would sound as good as the Esoteric.
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