Wavelength Cosecant USB v3 vs Benchmark USB DAC1


Now that both the Wavelength Cosecant USB DAC v3 (now with ASYNC mode) and the Benchmark USB DAC 1 and DAC 1-PRE support 24-bit audio at sample rates up to 96 kHz without the installation of any drivers or other special software. I am having a hard time choosing between them. My primary headphones are the Ultrasone UE 9 and the Grado GS 1000. Has anyone out there heard both side to side at any of the meets??? Are there specific advantages of one over the other?
dbk

Showing 2 responses by kennyt

I haven't had the Wavelength yet, but the Benchmark DAC 1 PRE is in my home now and is a really good little unit. Very smooth and dynamic with excellent detail and air, top end is very accurate without being harsh, I haven't tried the headphone outs yet...
This could also be system dependent, FWIW I ran the Benchmark with Transparent reference balanced interconnects and speaker wires to an ML 433 amp and Escalante Fremont's, so my system is very accurate and revealing, and I found no harshmess in the Benchmark.