What the benifit of using a separate dac?

This is the way I would approach it. Look for two or three DAC's with high jitter immunity first and foremost. Those that have a few years under their belts (not just a recent one with a rave review but DAC's with many happy users and a resale value that holds up). Try 'em out and make your own mind up. FWIW differences are subtle and there are many good options out there - will any of them defeat your standalone player in your home with your power...only by careful A/B yourself can you decide that.

Blindjim,

Interesting thoughts. Perhaps modding is partly based on a desire to differentiate - to have something better than or at least different from the next guy. To enhance the feeling of ownership pride by an extra level of customization. Audible benefits may be quite small but kudos is high in the mind of the owner. This is where the value comes - like the guy with the Honda all kitted out with various customized items - he wants his Honda to stand out from the other Honda's - it isn't only about improving the performance.

Isn't there a book about this - something like "Zen and the Art of Audio Equipment Maintenance"?

BTW it was because of the press and my limited talks with the Benchmark makers that sent me away from previewing that piece altogether

Blindjim,

Interesting comment based on our discussion about one of the primary drivers for purchase decisions is the desire for differentiated products. The comment says more about you than the sound quality of Benchmark DAC1.

Is it possible that you chose not to preview it because of all the near universal accolades in the press and from professionals combined with relatively modest price means that this is an EBGO product in audiophile terms. EBGO = Everybody's Got One! Therefore the attractiveness of owning such a product is rather limited if you have any inkling to own a differentiated (more expensive) or "better" product.

If you mod your Bel Canto then you can feel even more secure that very few people have what you have!

FWIW: My friend and I bought two identical scooters when I was 15. Same store. Same model - probably produced within minutes of eachother at the factory from the same batch of parts. We had a 30 minute run to school each day and followed eachother. The performance was as near identical as you can get. At one time we got interested in modding to try and eek out more speed from these 50 cc slow-peds. instead of buying two racing type mufflers (with the motorcycle dealer assurance of a significant speed boost) we bought one and tested it. Well is sure sounded different - his scooter had a deep satisfying Harley imitation sound (nothing like that patented Harley sound mind you) while mine remained with its standard millions of scooters on the road sound. Now here is the kicker - my friend took it back a week later and got a refund because it did not make one IOTA of difference to the speed or acceleration.

To end the story, although I have lost track of this old friend, he also became an engineer. It may have been a formative experience. Engineers tend to trust higher authority. Engineers tend to believe text books. Engineers distrust anecdotal evidence without controlled testing and documented measurements to back it up. For Benchmark to plaster their measurements all over a manual with each of their products sold is a very bold thing to do (as any engineer or anyone with manufacturing experience knows). By offering so much detail and information one is exposing oneself to a potential huge embarassement (if anyon eproves you are full of it) and expensive product recall due to lack of performance/conformance should your products not live up to the published specifications (one year to the next). This is very unusual in audio.

I'd really wonder how sensitive one could be to a seat-of-pants judgement on the boost in power on a 50cc scooter of, perhaps 1 hp in some part of the throttle range?!

Exactly. That is why travelling the same route daily with two identical scooters helped - multiple opportunities to compare under a variety of conditions. FWIW: I had already pulled out the baffle piping in the muffler of my scooter (as all 15 year olds must do) - so perhaps I achieved the same effect as the "racing" muffler. Anyway - it was all good fun - perhaps that is the pleasure in it all - the journey rather than the outcome!

For a premium dollar figure however, it needs be of superior looks as well.

Blindjim,

Your reply sounded superbly utilitarian and pragmatic until you let that slip in! LOL aesthetics is important after all! I 'll admit I am just as guilty of that as the next guy ;-)