Popular Post kennyb123 Posted July 4, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2018 30 minutes ago, creativepart said: PS. I'm not sure if I'd ever get rid of the Benchmark. It seems like one of those statement pieces you hang on to for a long time. But I may add another ~$2000 dac. Sometimes I wish I still had my Ack! Dac!. Anyway, I'm digressing. I know the Benchmark DAC1 has many fans. I don’t count myself amongst them. I borrowed a friend’s and found it tough to enjoy. At the time I was listening to vinyl half the time, and the contrast in musicality and liquidity was too great. In fairness the Benchmark did retrieve a lot of information, so I can see how it appealed to a lot of folks. Of course what matters most is that the DAC aligns with YOUR tastes. As far as the add-ons, the ISO REGEN was well worth the expense in my system. Even more so when adding an LPS1-2. Placing an ISO REGEN in front of your Benchmark could very well breath new life into that DAC. It’s possible I’d have a higher opinion of it had It been fed by such a device. johndoe21ro and davide256 2 Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256 Link to comment
Popular Post kennyb123 Posted July 4, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2018 18 hours ago, plissken said: Benchmarks engineering pedigree is well earned and I'm sure that their inputs are properly engineered and won't be improved upon by a USB dongle. Properly engineered, eh? Benchmark themselves believed the DAC1’s USB input needed to be improved: ”The DAC2 delivers outstanding musical detail and precise stereo imaging. It employs an advanced high-headroom digital filter design, and a new high-sample-rate Asynchronous USB Audio interface. All inputs are fully isolated from interface jitter by Benchmark's new UltraLock2™ jitter attenuation system.” And again improvements in the DAC3: “All inputs are fully isolated from interface jitter by Benchmark's new UltraLock3™ jitter attenuation system.” And very likely further input improvements in their next DAC. ElviaCaprice, 4est and johndoe21ro 3 Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256 Link to comment
Popular Post kennyb123 Posted July 4, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2018 3 hours ago, plissken said: Even good, initial first designs, get refined over the years. The point being is that if even their GEN1 USB (2005) input does a better job than current USB dongles, then for Benchmark they matter naught. . You said it was “properly designed” but now you acknowledge that further refinement can be of further benefit. And yet you won’t allow that a USB add on can help? I’m shocked, shocked that you would place ideology ahead of common sense. LOL I consider the Benchmark DAC 1 to have been the worst sounding piece of gear I’ve had in house. That DAC got me to let my subscription to Stereophile lapse, as JA awarded it as Class A+. I’m pretty sure that was the last review of his that I’ve read. Properly designed my a**. johndoe21ro and Superdad 2 Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256 Link to comment
Popular Post kennyb123 Posted July 5, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2018 41 minutes ago, plissken said: I look forward to others who up-vote your post so I also know who else suffers from an information and knowledge deficit You mean there are some who don't have information and knowledge deficits? There are some who have perfect knowledge and a perfect understanding of what's involved here? I'd rather be counted amongst those with the humility to acknowledge that I don't have it all figured out - instead of among those with the hubris to think their information is complete such that they can state with absolute certainty that USB add-ons can't improve the sound quality of a particular DAC. I wonder what those with perfect knowledge do in their spare time? I guess while I'm listening to music they must be creating new life on other planets using their spare mental capacity? look&listen and johndoe21ro 2 Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256 Link to comment
kennyb123 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 2 minutes ago, mansr said: Ridicule lesser life forms on internet forums, obviously. Of course! Grandiosity only provides a thrill when others are ridiculed. johndoe21ro 1 Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256 Link to comment
kennyb123 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 18 minutes ago, plissken said: Anyone that reads our back and forth, that has any technical understanding, knows you've exceeded yours. (deleted) Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256 Link to comment
Popular Post kennyb123 Posted July 5, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2018 7 minutes ago, plissken said: What I understand is that you don't understand the difference between AGND/DGND solutions and Bench Marks clocking schema. You're right. I could care less about the red herrings you throw out to avoid having to acknowledge the flaws in your logic and reasoning. You always introduce new information when busted. That's exactly what you're doing in the text I quoted. Last I'll say. I apologize to everyone on this thread for my contribution to making this thread unproductive. I deleted my comments above, but Plissken got there before it took. johndoe21ro, ElviaCaprice and look&listen 3 Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256 Link to comment
kennyb123 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 8 minutes ago, creativepart said: Actually, I should have stated that I don't have a problem, per se, with the sound I'm getting in general. I just find it a bit more forward or analytical that I like from my vinyl setup. But I would classify it as pretty good right now. I'm just trying to decide "where" to go for the next level. Especially in the light of the age of my DAC. I recommend that you audition a Chord Mojo. Huge bang for the buck with this DAC. I suspect it will provide you great insight into how good your Benchmark really is. Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet > Antipodes K30 > Shunyata Omega USB > Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali v1 and Typhon x1 power conditioners, Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation and Infinity power cords, QSA Lanedri Gamma Revelation XLR interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD 60 speaker cables, GIK bass traps, ASC Isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels, Quadraspire SVT rack, PGGB 256 Link to comment
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