Wyred DAC-1 vs Benchmark DAC-1 (NON USB)

dorokusai

You should let the Benchmark and M1 get some solid burn-in before making a final decsion. 100 hours would be fair enough I think.

Cool, nice read and thanks for posting it.

tonyb

A dac chip is only part of the puzzle, and in my opinion, the least important. Too many other variables determines what comes out the other end.

Agree with Mark, let some burn in time rub in and do another listen.

falconcry72

tonyb wrote: »

A dac chip is only part of the puzzle, and in my opinion, the least important. Too many other variables determines what comes out the other end.

Agree with Mark, let some burn in time rub in and do another listen.

Agreed about the DAC chip being a small part of the puzzle. Proof of that is this 13 year old Parasound DAC sounding better, in some respects, than the 2 other newer DACs. It has a great output/analog section.

And as far as the NFB goes, I'm not expecting it to sound like a W4S, I'm hoping that it sounds BETTER than a W4S!:biggrin:

"Fully discrete amp without any OPA , couple caps ,non- feedback analog output stage and non-feedback Class A power supplys .
Uses three R-core transformers (135W total), one 35W R-core supplies power for digital parts, another two 50W R-cores supplies power for analogy parts. The power transformers and rectifiers are carefully shielded from the electric field of the power transformers and rectifiers' frequency transmission. More than 45,000uf audio grade NOVER capacitors are used to ensure ample and smooth power feed. The NOVER capacitors are specially custom order from NOVER (U.K.) according to Audio GD?s requirement. A total of 16 PSU groups are used to purify the power supply. To achieve Silent operation, the control circuit is powered with separate regulator.
Uses mostly DALE and Vishay resistors, WIMA ,EVOX capacitors and a lot SOLEN caps. The electrolyte capacitors are custom ordered from NOVER (a UK brand), Sanyo OS caps, and exact-matched transistors. RCA sockets are custom ordered and 24k gold-plated. All transistors are Toshiba and Hitachi."

falconcry72

pics of the setup.

The Parasound DAC is the second Parasound piece from the top.

As you can see, the Paraound DAC is about twice as large as the M1 which is about twice as large as the Benchmark, not that it's the size that counts...

heiney9

Those Nover caps are used in the least expensive Chinese gear around. They are very popular in those inexpensive designs.

H9

headrott

falconcry72 wrote: »

pics of the setup.

The Parasound DAC is the second Parasound piece from the top.

As you can see, the Paraound DAC is about twice as large as the M1 which is about twice as large as the Benchmark, not that it's the size that counts...

Is that some longboard lager I see in the first pic?:biggrin:

Interesting DAC comparisons too. Thanks for sharing.

Greg

falconcry72

headrott wrote: »

Is that some longboard lager I see in the first pic?:biggrin:

Interesting DAC comparisons too. Thanks for sharing.

Greg

Good eye! Longboard indeed. Great summertime brew.

falconcry72

heiney9 wrote: »

Those Nover caps are used in the least expensive Chinese gear around. They are very popular in those inexpensive designs.

H9

hmm. I don't know much about cap bands. I guess I'll have to let my ears be the judge on this one.

heiney9

I reread my post, didn't intend to imply the dac you have is cheap. I was just a little surprised how the marketing dept made it sound like the Nover caps were something "special". I did have an inexpensive Chinese dac that used them and it was nothing special as far as sound, but I certainly couldn't say it was the caps fault since it's only a small part of the entire equation. I know Jake thinks that dac sounds really good. It seems to have all the things on paper that should make it sound excellent. I am scratching my head how they can offer the level of design for the price. Anxious to hear your impressions.

It's just something I've noticed over the years researching the more inexpensive Chinese gear like tube integrated amps, tube pre-amps and dac's. A good majority have Nover caps in them.

H9

dorokusai

heiney9 wrote: »

It's just something I've noticed over the years researching the more inexpensive Chinese gear like tube integrated amps, tube pre-amps and dac's. A good majority have Nover caps in them.

H9

That's never a good sign.

polkfarmboy

Great review falconcry and a very interesting read

It would be awesome if you got your hands on a w4s

steveinaz

The "base" Benchmark is better suited to a system leaning to the warm side. I don't think I would call it "sterile" but it certainly digs deep into a recording, Keep in mind the base DAC1 doesn't have the upgraded op-amps of the USB, PRE, and HDR models. My DAC1/PRE is a perfect match to my Carbon 7 speakers; but the carbons have a laid back tonal balance.

Again, synergy is key.

falconcry72

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Great review falconcry and a very interesting read

It would be awesome if you got your hands on a w4s

I'm hoping that I'll like the NFB better than the other 3, in which case I will sell the others and pick up a W4S to compare to the NFB. If I don't like the NFB as much as the others, I'll sell it and still pick up a W4S to compare to the M1 and the Benchmark. So either way, a W4S is in my future. I am determined to determine the best DAC for the money for my system!

I really like that the W4S DAC2 has a remote; it would make evaluating sources soooo much easier, but I don't know if I can justify the extra money just for a remote, since I won't be using its async usb or preamp functions.

falconcry72

heiney9 wrote: »

I reread my post, didn't intend to imply the dac you have is cheap. I was just a little surprised how the marketing dept made it sound like the Nover caps were something "special". I did have an inexpensive Chinese dac that used them and it was nothing special as far as sound, but I certainly couldn't say it was the caps fault since it's only a small part of the entire equation. I know Jake thinks that dac sounds really good. It seems to have all the things on paper that should make it sound excellent. I am scratching my head how they can offer the level of design for the price. Anxious to hear your impressions.

It's just something I've noticed over the years researching the more inexpensive Chinese gear like tube integrated amps, tube pre-amps and dac's. A good majority have Nover caps in them.

H9

Hey, man, no offense taken here! I like to learn.

I have a good feeling about this piece. I'm anxious to see how it stacks up to the others.

dbaldus

This shootout is great and will be extremely valuable to many of us in the future as we're debating between these DACs.

Thanks again, and keep up the good work!

falconcry72

falconcry72 wrote: »

I'm hoping that I'll like the NFB better than the other 3...

Well, I hoped for it, and I got it!:biggrin:

The NFB-7 showed up yesterday, and wow. Solid piece of gear. Looks good, sounds good, and weighs near 40 lbs! Thanks again for the fast shipping and good packing, zingo.

So, spoiler alert...


The Audio GD NFB-7 wins.


I will post an in-depth assessment of the four DAC's that I compared in a couple days once I digest a little more, but for the time being I will say this:

It took me almost two weeks to pick a clear winner between the other three DAC's; it took me 30 seconds to pick the NFB-7 as the overall winner.


edit:

I'm very curious to put this DAC up against a W4S; I will not be suprised if it wins.

heiney9

Everytime I pick a 30 second winner later on after more listening it doesn't make the cut.

H9

dorokusai

dbaldus wrote: »

This shootout is great and will be extremely valuable to many of us in the future as we're debating between these DACs.

Thanks again, and keep up the good work!

I wouldn't go too overboard with the impressions of an individual. They're all quality DACS and just because one is adored by someone, doesn't mean it's going to be the sonic equal in your home.

Reviews usually suck since it's one dimensional and based on a singular setup. What's nice is that Falconry has taken the time to give each piece a try, let it settle, try it again and offer his observations. This is a process I extremely dislike doing and so I don't. Kudos to him for taking the time to get these products and really put them thru their respective paces.

If anything, it allows you to get some piecemeal information based on an honest evaluation. SteveinAZ did a great writeup on his Benchmark as well....if I recall correctly. It's all useful to a last minute decision but remember it's YOUR gear, not theirs'.

falconcry72

heiney9 wrote: »

Everytime I pick a 30 second winner later on after more listening it doesn't make the cut.

H9

I know what you mean; for me that's especially true with speakers that are of a very different design than whatever speakers I'm used to listening to.

I don't think that's the case here, but I'll give it some time for sure.

falconcry72

dorokusai wrote: »

... It's all useful to a last minute decision but remember it's YOUR gear, not theirs'.

Even true within my own rig: I prefered the Benchmark with the SDA's but the M1 with the Maggies.

steveinaz

Yep. This stuff has soooo many variables attached. I don't think you can go wrong with any modern, well-reviewed/known brand.

As always, speakers are going to be the biggest factor.

falconcry72

steveinaz wrote: »

As always, speakers are going to be the biggest factor.

Yep. Part of me wants to stop killing myself over all these dacs, USB converters, etc and refocus my energy towards speakers since I haven't found my just right pair yet. Speakers will define my overall sound way more than a slightly better dac. Dont get me wrong, sources, preamps, amps, cables, etc are important, but once they're "good", changing brands won't be nearly as dynamic a change as changing speakers.

drselect

When does the DI arrive?
Are you planning on declaring a winner before you put it into the mix?

tonyb

As we say around here, everything matters. Speakers being of utmost priority. Find the right synergy, regardless of price, and just enjoy the tunes instead of chasing after the latest and greatest. Tubes,imho, have to be somewhere in the mix. Good luck on finding whats right for you.

falconcry72

drselect wrote: »

When does the DI arrive?
Are you planning on declaring a winner before you put it into the mix?

Got the DI yesterday. Amazingly fast shipping from hong kong... Actually faster than my bnc cable order from blue jeans that I ordered the same day but arrived today.

It is awesomely built and looks great, but so far I cant hear a difference between it and the vlink. I'll listen more this weekend and come back with a review of the USB to spdif converters as well as the dacs. Btw, I'm getting a great deal on a pair of 1.7's on Friday. Hopefully they'll sound better than my 1.6's.:cool:

drselect

I have the nfb3 and have been reading up on the DI trying to decide if it would worth trying.
Enjoy your weekend its sounds like it won't get here soon enough.

steveinaz

falconcry72 wrote: »

Yep. Part of me wants to stop killing myself over all these dacs, USB converters, etc and refocus my energy towards speakers since I haven't found my just right pair yet. Speakers will define my overall sound way more than a slightly better dac. Dont get me wrong, sources, preamps, amps, cables, etc are important, but once they're "good", changing brands won't be nearly as dynamic a change as changing speakers.

Once you find the right speakers, the rest will fade to the background; and you'll realize what caused all the tail-chasing--I've been there, and done that. IMO, speakers do a lot more than "slightly" improve your sound. DAC differences are miniscule by comparison, IME.

9 times out of 10, if you find yourself forever changing cables, components, etc---IT'S THE SPEAKERS. Seriously. Now that I've found the right speaker for me, I could hook up a $29 Sony walkman as my source, and thoroughly enjoy it.

Face

The room is the most important, then speakers, then gear, then tweaks(cables, etc...).

newrival

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

I'm happy with my W4S DAC doubt I will let it go anytime soon, something magical when used with a tube pre!!

Have you tried our DAC2 without the preamp?

nspindel

I have. I have the W4S Dac2 as well, I've tested it straight into my amp with the volume controlled via the W4S. It works, sounds fine, not saying anything against it. But I also have a tube pre, and I also wouldn't be without it.