Back to Q & A main page
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.
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 the Damiel 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.
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.
Question
I have read stereowow now for some months, deriving great pleasure and stimulation from it's diverse contents... around the pursuit of the art of listening to music. Interested in recent exchange around the benchmark dac1. I currently have a meridian g08, along with a range of meridian pre power equipment of varying ages and a moon i-5.3.
I welcome your thoughts around what the benchmark may acheive with the meridian player. The various comments on inexpensive transports are quite expansive, yet a bit more elusive with regard to potential improvements with players such as the g08.
Answer
Thank you for the kind comments. Much appreciated and never taken for granted. Not even a little bit.
Candidly, you pose a tough question.
As you know, I don't stock Meridian gear now although I was their World #1 from 1977 to 1986 inclusive. I still use some myself.
From what I can gather, the G08 is a damn fine bit of kit. Some might argue that that it is perhaps just a tad too analogue, possibly a bit too smooth. Personally, I don't know.
If indeed this is the case, then my suspicion (and it is only a suspicion) is that you might notice the following if you used the DAC; a tighter and faster bass - but no deeper - and possibly more top end detail and most likely a more forceful presence, a bit like being in the front row stalls that front row balcony, if you get my meaning. My guess is that this would make the G08 a fine but somewhat expensive transport. You can try one on 30 days sale or return if you wish.
If however you used the DAC-Pre and therefore deleted your Meridian pre from the system, the sonic advantages might be far more noticeable. It really is suck it 'n see on this one. Anyone who claims that in the context of your situation, the inclusion of a Benchmark DAC in either format will without any hesitation or qualification produce a consistent and substantial improvement will I feel probably lie about other things too.
Re the Moon, I've had no direct personal experience of this and rather than speculate, I feel unable to comment.
Question
Well my Benchmark DAC1 pre should arrive here on Monday. Anyway, I have a quick question with connections. I am wondering what the best way to hook it up to my set-up will be. Option 1: XLR out from Benchmark to XLR in of my mono-blocks and RCA out of Benchmark to RCA in of Subwoofer. Option 2: RCA out of Benchmark to Subwoofer RCA in> RCA out of Subwoofer to RCA in of mono-blocks. Howard, do you have any thoughts on what will give me the best audio quality?
Answer
I'd go option 1. If you can adjust the gain on your monoblocks or sub such that you drive the Benchmark harder (louder) then you can eek the most out of its high performance specs (channel sep, S/N). It comes with attenuator straps in the -20 db position (so you can go higher if you amp will take it by changing these). The DAC1 has very high crystal clean output - so you should try to exploit it (provided you do not overdrive the input to the sub).
While I think you can do well with RCA and often differences will be inaudible, there’s no doubt that XLR is superior. Most audiophile problems with interconnects are due to ground loops and shield-induced hum/noise on unbalanced RCA connections. Ground loop problems alone may explain most of the wondrous effects of changing interconnects. That’s certainly a view I hold. Bear in mind that not all XLR is the same - a key aspect to the design is having the same impedance with respect to ground – true balanced lines with balanced circuits.
Question
Hi Howard. A quick question. If the Chord is best used with the DAC64, the surely if the Benchmark does better it (though I’ve got to admit I’m a little sceptical here), then wouldn’t I be better buying a decent transport for less and selling the Chords as an item (a small miracle needed in this media hyped financial crisis we are facing!). What are your thoughts?
Answer
Thank you for this. You raise a very interesting point. Interesting for two reasons. The first is that you are quite correct and secondly, because the identical thought struck me soon after I sent you the email.
Yes, there is no question that you’ll get more money for both Chord pieces being sold as a pair. In this context and by implication, the Chord transport, beautiful though it is might, just might be overkill. Neither of us will know for sure until we try it in your system. I am anticipating success, but I’m prepared for failure. Always best to be open-minded I feel.
And herein lies a problem in that I (both as a music lover and as a retailer too) am facing a similar situation to you. I really believe that the writing is on the wall now for very expensive CD replay systems.
The most elegant (in every sense of the word) solution for I and my customers I’m beginning to believe is to use an Apple Mac laptop into the Benchmark DAC. I’ve heard this and frankly (from a specialist retailer standpoint i.e. my standpoint) it is depressingly good.
Having said this, the challenge is that (a) it takes time to transfer in WAV (uncompressed format) and (b) of course, you need a transport.
This raises an interesting question, and not one I have an answer to yet. It’s this. Does the quality (cost, in reality) influence the quality of the transfer onto the Mac and if so, to what extent? To date, I’ve not seen any credible published text on this. Thus it might be down to me to start the ball rolling.
I have a state-of-the-art transport (North Star 192 with Philips PRO-2 mechanism) and I can find a reasonable cheap transport to compare. I’ll transfer a bunch of tracks using both transports and compare them side by side on the MAC via my most revealing system. I’ll let you know how I get on. Might take a fortnight or so though.
Back to top