Clarification on the Benchmark DAC1...

steveinaz

A few months ago I posted a review on the Benchmark DAC1 external DAC. After seeing numerous folks feeling let down by an external DAC, be it Benchmark or any other, I felt some things needed clarification.

The term "glowing review" has been thrown around alot, and has to be taken into the proper context. An external DAC is not a life changing purchase. Don't expect a day/night difference in sound---especially right away. First of all you have to look at the rest of your system. Are you really going to noticed deeper, better defined bass if your running bookshelf speakers? No. Just an example.

Next, usually (in my experience) it's NOT what you hear--but what you don't hear that makes the biggest improvement. In terms of the Benchmark, what I didn't hear was the digital glare that plagued many CD's, especially the poorly engineered ones. That was the largest gain, along with the depth and width of the soundstage.

My point to all of this? Don't expect an external DAC (any) to compensate for problems/system shortcomings elsewhere, and don't expect to be farting rainbows when you power it up. Even in the finest of systems, external DAC's improvements are subtle when speaking in relative terms. Listen to your music, the subtleties, how black the background has become, how visceral the midbass is, how articulate and airy the treble is; how vocals and instruments are organized and distinguishable.

Something people don't talk about much (I guess it's not the "PC" thing to recommend) is pushing your system hard. I do this because in my eyes pushing a system hard is like looking at it with a microscope. A good, stable system won't sound unsorted or begin to unravel at high volumes---it's a good litmus test in my opinion. This is where upgrades like external DAC's strut their stuff and you begin to understand the benefits of such upgrades.

Be realistic with your expectations. There is no silver bullet in audio.

[Deleted User]

Very well put!

PolknPepsi

I remember your review and it had quite an impact on what I thought about a DAC. I agree it would depend on the associated gear being used with one.

Like Ken said........Well put.

steveinaz

Sometimes you'll do something to your system that seems to snap everything into focus. The Benchmark did that for my system, hence my enthusiasm in that review. With the benefit of hindsight, I should have waited before posting the review, in the name of objectivity and integrity. Does this mean my views have changed on the Benchmark? Absolutely not. I just think it may have misled those newer to audio into thinking it was a major upgrade---trying to clear that up.

W WALDECKER

hi Steve, in your case it seemed like if it snapped your system into focus it was a major upgrade in your particular system. mileage may vary depending on the many variables encountered in audio systems. several professional reviewers gave an impression similar to yours of the Benchmark DAC.you have a very nice system and you obviously seem to know what you are doing when it comes to audio. i am going to send my Symphonic Line Vibrato cd player to get it converted to the updated 24 bit MK 2 version. the thing is built like a tank so i would rather just do the internal mods and stay with the one box approach...... thanks......WCW III

steveinaz

Thanks for the kind words bud. Everybody has different things they want/need to do to snap their system into focus. Whatever approach you take that gets you to your personal "audio nirvana" is a step in the right direction. Enjoy, afterall, thats what it's all about right?

heiney9

Very well said, Steve. I agree with your analysis. Just to add a bit more. For those people looking to upgrade using an outboard DAC make sure you give it a fair chance in your system. Really listen to the system before you add the DAC and make notes about what you hear. Figure out why you are adding the DAC. Then listen to the DAC in the system for a long period of time. This will help get you accustomed to the new sound. In some instances some source material will show a night and day difference. In most area's it's a subtle improvement. It becomes several sublte improvements on top of one another and then you start appreciating the improvement. After listening for a long period of time, take the DAC out of the equation and you should hear a difference.

If your amp/pre or speakers or cables aren't up to the task you won't get the full benefit of the DAC. Adding a DAC is just one step in the process. It's like putting high-performance tires on your car. If the rest of the suspension isn't up to it the new tires aren't going make a big difference.

As I've said before in my personal experience the DAC made a very big noticeable difference. I was very suprised at the initial impact it had on the overall sound of my system.

Great thread Steve

H9

steveinaz

Agree, great analogy. The Benchmark struck me right away with its impact (slam) and it's ability to weed out the glare and digital hash. Everything sounded better, from the worst CD's to the best. Keep in mind it was taking over chores from built-in Burr Brown 24bit DAC's as it was (my CEC CD-3300 player). Needless to say, I was impressed.

reeltrouble1

I know that listening for a while is good advice. My experience was as soon as I fired the DAC up the system sounded better.