Question
Still interested in the Benchmark Dac 1 which covers dac and headphone duties but I can't recall if I asked you this question (this Xmas with kids caused my brain cell to melt!). The Benchmark also covers the pre amp option as well, how good is it and how does it compare to other pre amps? For example I was just thinking along the lines of entertaining just the power amps (PA2) from LFD without the integrated option that was reviewed in Stereophile being fed directly from the Benchmark.
Answer
I can say with complete confidence based on many hours of extended listening here, and I should emphasise - enjoyable listening - that as a straightforward preamp, the Benchmark is up there with the very best I have. Depending on my mood, and how energetic or lazy I am {some of my equipment being very heavy) I use the Benchmark DAC-1 pre into the latest version of the LFD PA2M SE twin mono power amps into my Harbeth SHL 5 speakers. The sound is glorious. I cannot think of a better word than this.
In terms of the unit in its DAC format, I'm now finding it difficult to sell less expensive or more expensive DACs. My very expensive Ensemble DAC is perhaps a tiny bit more relaxed, a tiny bit more neutral but at 3 times the price, is compared to the Benchmark rather poor value. Meanwhile, the great value for money PS Audio DAC III is for listeners here not quite as complelling or incisive as the Benchmark and they prefer to pay the extra.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Benchmark Q&A #02
Question
Does improving the power cord from the one that is supplied improve the sound?
Answer
Yes, it does seem to in my systems here. I have experienced dramatic improvements, in terms of subtle detail retrieval, a faster bass and so on with many other DACs through the years and so I suppose I quite naturally expect to with the Benchmark – even though to do so is a bit irrational. What I can say is that every one of my Benchmark customers who wanted to try a Black Rhodium power cord on 28-day sale or return has decided to keep it. from this it seems probable that exchanging the original cord for a different (better shielded?) power cord does make sense.
Does improving the power cord from the one that is supplied improve the sound?
Answer
Yes, it does seem to in my systems here. I have experienced dramatic improvements, in terms of subtle detail retrieval, a faster bass and so on with many other DACs through the years and so I suppose I quite naturally expect to with the Benchmark – even though to do so is a bit irrational. What I can say is that every one of my Benchmark customers who wanted to try a Black Rhodium power cord on 28-day sale or return has decided to keep it. from this it seems probable that exchanging the original cord for a different (better shielded?) power cord does make sense.
Benchmark Q&A #01
Question
Have you heard a difference between the DAC performance of the Benchmark USB DAC and the Benchmark DAC-1 preamp and if so, which one is superior?
Answer
I have done this experiment on a number of occasions and have very rarely heard any difference at all. It might have been my imagination. And so it is impossible for me to state which one I prefer. Sorry about that.
Have you heard a difference between the DAC performance of the Benchmark USB DAC and the Benchmark DAC-1 preamp and if so, which one is superior?
Answer
I have done this experiment on a number of occasions and have very rarely heard any difference at all. It might have been my imagination. And so it is impossible for me to state which one I prefer. Sorry about that.
Benchmark - what the makers say
Overview i.e. what the makers say
The DAC1 is a reference-quality, 2-channel 192-kHz 24-bit audio digital-to-analogue converter featuring Benchmark’s UltraLock technology. The DAC1 is designed for maximum transparency and is well suited for critical playback in studio control rooms and in mastering rooms. A compact and rugged enclosure makes the DAC1 an excellent choice for location recording, broadcast facilities, and mobile trucks.
The internal power supply supports all international voltages and has generous margins for over and under voltage conditions. Two 0.25” headphone jacks are driven with Benchmark’s new HPA 21" headphone amplifier. The HPA21" is a high-current amplifier that is capable of driving a wide variety of headphone loads while achieving less than 0.0003% distortion under load.
The gain control sets the output level of the headphone jacks. It can also be used to control the output level of the balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue outputs. A rear-panel switch selects Variable or Calibrated output levels.
The DAC1 is a reference-quality, 2-channel 192-kHz 24-bit audio digital-to-analogue converter featuring Benchmark’s UltraLock technology. The DAC1 is designed for maximum transparency and is well suited for critical playback in studio control rooms and in mastering rooms. A compact and rugged enclosure makes the DAC1 an excellent choice for location recording, broadcast facilities, and mobile trucks.
The internal power supply supports all international voltages and has generous margins for over and under voltage conditions. Two 0.25” headphone jacks are driven with Benchmark’s new HPA 21" headphone amplifier. The HPA21" is a high-current amplifier that is capable of driving a wide variety of headphone loads while achieving less than 0.0003% distortion under load.
The gain control sets the output level of the headphone jacks. It can also be used to control the output level of the balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue outputs. A rear-panel switch selects Variable or Calibrated output levels.
Benchmark & Stereonow - the background
What Stereonow have to say about Benchmark DACs
When it comes to using an external DAC, for me personally, I always use the Benchmark DAC-1 pre in my system. Its incisive delivery suits my mood, my system, my taste in music and my room acoustics. Simple as that.
Please take note of the following:
Despite unofficial reports to the contrary (such is the intentional or unintentional mischief caused by some members of some forums) neither I nor any of my Benchmark customers who’ve made the comparison have heard any significant differences sonically between ANY of the four models. By this I mean if there is a difference, then no one I know has heard it!
And what that means is that all you are paying for between the four models is the difference in facilities and nothing more!
However, the above statement does not take into account the differences between sounds between the various alternative digital inputs. By this I mean it would be irresponsible of me to suggest that there is a consistent improvement between say optical, coaxial and USB. So I won’t comment.
When it comes to using an external DAC, for me personally, I always use the Benchmark DAC-1 pre in my system. Its incisive delivery suits my mood, my system, my taste in music and my room acoustics. Simple as that.
Please take note of the following:
Despite unofficial reports to the contrary (such is the intentional or unintentional mischief caused by some members of some forums) neither I nor any of my Benchmark customers who’ve made the comparison have heard any significant differences sonically between ANY of the four models. By this I mean if there is a difference, then no one I know has heard it!
And what that means is that all you are paying for between the four models is the difference in facilities and nothing more!
However, the above statement does not take into account the differences between sounds between the various alternative digital inputs. By this I mean it would be irresponsible of me to suggest that there is a consistent improvement between say optical, coaxial and USB. So I won’t comment.
Benchmark - what oher people say about Benchmark DACs
The following is a completely unsolicited end-user comment – and typical of many!
". . . Well having had a chance to listen to the DAC-Pre for some time now I will definitely be keeping it. To say I am stunned at the results would be an understatement. I was considering upgrading my entire HiFi system after hearing a system at a friend's neighbour a while ago which blew me away. It was an expensive system and way beyond my budget. The CD player was £3300 and the Preamp was £4500. I compared the DAC-Pre and my "cheap" CD player to this £8000's worth of front end and mine beat it! Not by a huge margin, subtly better I would say, but still better. And the CD player is supposed to be a bargain at £3.3K! Beats all your Naim CDs etc., at much more money.
Also it has completely transformed the sound from my Linn LP player (a pretty basic version and very old). This is via a separate pre-amp I just bought for £500 (an earlier of the £4.5K one I just mentioned) and into the analogue I/P on the DAC-Pre. So not only is the DAC outstanding, but so is the preamp (and the headphone amp).
I have told a couple of friends who are into HiFi about the DAC-1 so you might be getting a couple more sales. You are right to say that there is a lot of interest in the DAC, quite rightly so. In fact SVC have taken out a full page advert in this month's HiFi news. My advice to you, do the same but perhaps a small advert. Also, download the August edition of the Absolute sound, it's only $4.
There is a review of the DAC which is the most astounding review I have ever read. They are basically saying that the DAC-1 has sorted CD sound. It's about as good as it's going to get at any price, but the cost is only $1500! Don't believe the posts on the web dissing it, I guess a lot of folk with vested interests are trying to do that because if the word got out, the market for high end CDs players and preamps is finished! As the AS review said, the start of a new era in HiFi . . .”
". . . Well having had a chance to listen to the DAC-Pre for some time now I will definitely be keeping it. To say I am stunned at the results would be an understatement. I was considering upgrading my entire HiFi system after hearing a system at a friend's neighbour a while ago which blew me away. It was an expensive system and way beyond my budget. The CD player was £3300 and the Preamp was £4500. I compared the DAC-Pre and my "cheap" CD player to this £8000's worth of front end and mine beat it! Not by a huge margin, subtly better I would say, but still better. And the CD player is supposed to be a bargain at £3.3K! Beats all your Naim CDs etc., at much more money.
Also it has completely transformed the sound from my Linn LP player (a pretty basic version and very old). This is via a separate pre-amp I just bought for £500 (an earlier of the £4.5K one I just mentioned) and into the analogue I/P on the DAC-Pre. So not only is the DAC outstanding, but so is the preamp (and the headphone amp).
I have told a couple of friends who are into HiFi about the DAC-1 so you might be getting a couple more sales. You are right to say that there is a lot of interest in the DAC, quite rightly so. In fact SVC have taken out a full page advert in this month's HiFi news. My advice to you, do the same but perhaps a small advert. Also, download the August edition of the Absolute sound, it's only $4.
There is a review of the DAC which is the most astounding review I have ever read. They are basically saying that the DAC-1 has sorted CD sound. It's about as good as it's going to get at any price, but the cost is only $1500! Don't believe the posts on the web dissing it, I guess a lot of folk with vested interests are trying to do that because if the word got out, the market for high end CDs players and preamps is finished! As the AS review said, the start of a new era in HiFi . . .”
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