The SGC DAC creams the Parasound DAC’s.
The preamp stage however I would imagine is closer matched to the p5’s.
I’m running the p6 with that new volume control. It’s presentation is less forward than the SGC but serves well for synergy in my setup. The detail is still there, just more relaxed.
Personal preference.
I considered the Parasound P6 VERY HARD, especially with it's upgraded DAC; but decided to go with the "devil I knew" (Benchmark) so I wouldn't have to try to unload a 2nd preamp at a loss.
So my statement above about the SGC beating the Parasound DACs was based on feedback I thought I had heard from trusted ears. Apparently I am misrepresenting that account because of the lack of evidence. My apologies.
There's just too many variables. I didn't particularly care for the sound of the ESS DAC inside the HINT 6 as I felt that it was inferior through my PMC speakers versus the dual Wolfson DACs inside the CXN V2. When I compared them on the Polk 703s, the difference was much less dramatic and the HINT 6 DAC was much more listenable.
On the NewClassic 200 that I'm currently evaluating, I am unable to reliably distinguish between it's internal Burr-Brown DAC and the CXN V2's DAC(s) while using the Elac speakers. I need to do further testing with the PMC speakers to see if they reveal a gap between their performance.
So basically what I am trying to explain is that system synergy comes into play heavily with a DAC's performance, and it's extraordinarly difficult to make a statement like "X company's DACs are better than X company's DACs."
"Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
System synergy and personal preference will determine how good a dac is; price, flowery speech, or mass hype don't. These points can sometimes point you in the right direction, but they aren't the sole qualifier.
How a dac chip is used in the circuit can have a bearing on how it sounds as well. In the past I've heard folks speak of such and such chip they disliked in xx dac but in xxxx dac that same chip was glorious. I've read this time and time again over the years whether it's Burr-Brown, Wolfson, Cirrus or ESS Saber.
Main System
Marantz AV8802A PrePro
Marantz MM7025 Amp rear surrounds
McIntosh MC7205 Amp center, ceiling and mid surrounds
McIntosh MC300 Amp front mains
Oppo 203 Bluray
Polk SDA-SRS with VR3 monastery crossovers
Polk FX1000 Mid surrounds
Klipsch RP-440C Center channel
Klipsch RP-15M Rear surrounds
SVS prime elevation ceiling surrounds
Rythmik F15HP sub
Samsung 8500 curved screen 65" LED 4K
Mac Mini Server
Office System
Musical Fidelity M6s dac/preamp
Oppo 103D Bluray
Polk SDA-SRS 2
Parasound HCA-1500A
Polk PSW 650 sub
Microrendu
Roku Ultra
Mac Mini Server
Playing musical chairs with some gear in systems. I took the Sonic Euphoria pre out of the main system and paired it with a pair of Ampzilla 2000 amps out of the home theater system to drive the Quad 2905's. The better 200 watt mono blocks have more than enough power for the Quads, so the passive pre works fine.
I then took the Sumo Athena pre from the Quad system and put it with the 845 tube amps driving my DIY horns. The active pre drives the amps harder and gets me better bass.
I also took the D-class from the Quad system and put them in the home theater system to drive the Jubilee bass bins. The amps work well for bass duty.
Living room:Maplenoll turntable, Clearaudio Champion II turntable, Sonic Euphoria pre, EAR 834P phono pre, Shanling CD-T1500 sacd, Auralic Altair DAC/server, PS Audio Quintessence power, ASL AQ1006 845 DT MKII mono block amplifers, DIY Altec/JBL speakers Sun room: Roksan Radius 5 turntable, Lounge phono pre, DIY Class A 6H30 linestage, DIY 2A3 amp, Krell CDP, JBL C50 Olympus speakers with custom Smith horns, Klipsch Cornwall III Den: Onkyo TX-NR929 receiver, Oppo BDP-103 player, Panamax M5400-PM power, SST Ampzilla 2000 mono blocks, Behringer EP 4000 sub amp, Electrovoice DX-38 active, Klipsch Jubilee speakers, Martin Logan Cinema center, JBL SAT2 surrounds, Danley DTS-10 sub
Received the new Benchmark DAC2 DX. It came with the new slimmer remote---very nice. Got the XLR output pads set (10db option) to match my Parasound A21 input sensitivity, for maximum SNR. Love it. Dead quiet. The volume control is more predictable and sensitive, and led's flash as you adjust gain; this is different from the DAC2L.
I have 2 F-25's flanking my mains and I am done. I will never need more bass or more accurate bass. I'm simply done.
Tom
In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence.
The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction.
Received the new Benchmark DAC2 DX. It came with the new slimmer remote---very nice. Got the XLR output pads set (10db option) to match my Parasound A21 input sensitivity, for maximum SNR. Love it. Dead quiet. The volume control is more predictable and sensitive, and led's flash as you adjust gain; this is different from the DAC2L.
Did I miss it or have you posted some pics?
Basement: Polk SDA SRS, Cary SLP-05 Pre, Enlightened Audio Designs CD Transport, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Digital Cable, Marantz SA-14 SACD, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, Wireworld Oasis 8 RCA IC's, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's Spare Room: , Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Here's my new TT power supply. Gonna be a behautch to fit on the stand. Even worse passing it by the wife on the way in. When she asks? I'll just tell her, "That old thing?" LOL
Tom
In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence.
The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction.
Officially got the SDAs put away. Took out the drivers, loctite around the magnet, sealed em back up and stored them away for what will most likely be a couple of years.
I am still rocking out to these Advents though so at least I have something.
Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
I have 2 F-25's flanking my mains and I am done. I will never need more bass or more accurate bass. I'm simply done.
Tom
I spent a couple hours listening last night and realized what a difference it makes. I put the PSW650 back in to listen to a couple of the same selections. Silly me..
Main System
Marantz AV8802A PrePro
Marantz MM7025 Amp rear surrounds
McIntosh MC7205 Amp center, ceiling and mid surrounds
McIntosh MC300 Amp front mains
Oppo 203 Bluray
Polk SDA-SRS with VR3 monastery crossovers
Polk FX1000 Mid surrounds
Klipsch RP-440C Center channel
Klipsch RP-15M Rear surrounds
SVS prime elevation ceiling surrounds
Rythmik F15HP sub
Samsung 8500 curved screen 65" LED 4K
Mac Mini Server
Office System
Musical Fidelity M6s dac/preamp
Oppo 103D Bluray
Polk SDA-SRS 2
Parasound HCA-1500A
Polk PSW 650 sub
Microrendu
Roku Ultra
Mac Mini Server
Comments
The preamp stage however I would imagine is closer matched to the p5’s.
I’m running the p6 with that new volume control. It’s presentation is less forward than the SGC but serves well for synergy in my setup. The detail is still there, just more relaxed.
Personal preference.
On the NewClassic 200 that I'm currently evaluating, I am unable to reliably distinguish between it's internal Burr-Brown DAC and the CXN V2's DAC(s) while using the Elac speakers. I need to do further testing with the PMC speakers to see if they reveal a gap between their performance.
So basically what I am trying to explain is that system synergy comes into play heavily with a DAC's performance, and it's extraordinarly difficult to make a statement like "X company's DACs are better than X company's DACs."
Marantz AV8802A PrePro
Marantz MM7025 Amp rear surrounds
McIntosh MC7205 Amp center, ceiling and mid surrounds
McIntosh MC300 Amp front mains
Oppo 203 Bluray
Polk SDA-SRS with VR3 monastery crossovers
Polk FX1000 Mid surrounds
Klipsch RP-440C Center channel
Klipsch RP-15M Rear surrounds
SVS prime elevation ceiling surrounds
Rythmik F15HP sub
Samsung 8500 curved screen 65" LED 4K
Mac Mini Server
Office System
Musical Fidelity M6s dac/preamp
Oppo 103D Bluray
Polk SDA-SRS 2
Parasound HCA-1500A
Polk PSW 650 sub
Microrendu
Roku Ultra
Mac Mini Server
Village Idiot of Club Polk
I think you'll be happy with your new Rythmik. I have a pair of F8's and I couldn't be more pleased with their tone.
Has to pay a huge part.
You’ll be smiling from ear to ear for a month
Congratulations
PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Rears Salk SuperCharged Surrounds
Source PSA PWT into NSD Supremo
Pre/Pro Integra DHC 40.1
LCD Samsung LN46B750
Mains Salk HT2-TL
Center Salk HT2C
Pre Cary SLP-05
Wires WW & MIT
I keep telling myself I don't have room for a sub but if I were to submit, that one would be an excellent choice. Enjoy.
Invisible aluminum wireless Phazer speaker wire
Free Spirit Teleport Preamp (Literally brings the artists into your living room)
1.44 JW Flux Capacitor Mono Amps
I then took the Sumo Athena pre from the Quad system and put it with the 845 tube amps driving my DIY horns. The active pre drives the amps harder and gets me better bass.
I also took the D-class from the Quad system and put them in the home theater system to drive the Jubilee bass bins. The amps work well for bass duty.
Sun room: Roksan Radius 5 turntable, Lounge phono pre, DIY Class A 6H30 linestage, DIY 2A3 amp, Krell CDP, JBL C50 Olympus speakers with custom Smith horns, Klipsch Cornwall III
Den: Onkyo TX-NR929 receiver, Oppo BDP-103 player, Panamax M5400-PM power, SST Ampzilla 2000 mono blocks, Behringer EP 4000 sub amp, Electrovoice DX-38 active, Klipsch Jubilee speakers, Martin Logan Cinema center, JBL SAT2 surrounds, Danley DTS-10 sub
HT:Polk LSiM 706 LSiM 705's VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's| Marantz AV7704 | Sunfire TGA-7401 | Oppo UDP 203 | Sony PS4 Pro| Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | SVS PB13 Ultra | MIT EXP 2's (Fronts & Center)
ManCave: Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro | Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's | Usher BE-616 Center | SVS Ultra Surrounds | SVS SB4000 Sub | SVS SB2000 Sub | Oppo UDP 203 | MIT Shotgun S3's | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life | Samsung 50" SUHD TV | Sony PS4
Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |
Office |Cocktail Audio X14 | KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |
Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |
Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's
Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 | Bluesound Node |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 |
I've got a single F8 and fantasize about adding a 2nd...
SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Marantz DV-9500 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8
Micro Seiki DQ-50 * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
Tom
The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction.
~ When the law ends, tyranny begins ~
Did I miss it or have you posted some pics?
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: , Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Only one way to turn a Fantasy into a Reality, as far as Subwoofers go anyway
Here's my new TT power supply. Gonna be a behautch to fit on the stand. Even worse passing it by the wife on the way in. When she asks? I'll just tell her, "That old thing?" LOL
Tom
The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction.
~ When the law ends, tyranny begins ~
I am still rocking out to these Advents though so at least I have something.
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
I spent a couple hours listening last night and realized what a difference it makes. I put the PSW650 back in to listen to a couple of the same selections. Silly me..
Marantz AV8802A PrePro
Marantz MM7025 Amp rear surrounds
McIntosh MC7205 Amp center, ceiling and mid surrounds
McIntosh MC300 Amp front mains
Oppo 203 Bluray
Polk SDA-SRS with VR3 monastery crossovers
Polk FX1000 Mid surrounds
Klipsch RP-440C Center channel
Klipsch RP-15M Rear surrounds
SVS prime elevation ceiling surrounds
Rythmik F15HP sub
Samsung 8500 curved screen 65" LED 4K
Mac Mini Server
Office System
Musical Fidelity M6s dac/preamp
Oppo 103D Bluray
Polk SDA-SRS 2
Parasound HCA-1500A
Polk PSW 650 sub
Microrendu
Roku Ultra
Mac Mini Server
How come?
Village Idiot of Club Polk
PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Rears Salk SuperCharged Surrounds
Source PSA PWT into NSD Supremo
Pre/Pro Integra DHC 40.1
LCD Samsung LN46B750
Mains Salk HT2-TL
Center Salk HT2C
Pre Cary SLP-05
Wires WW & MIT