Darla...ref Benchmark

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited October 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
Did you ever try your DAC1 in preamp mode? Just curious...
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Post edited by steveinaz on
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    Nope. I just listened with the headphones so far which effectively eliminates the Parasound pre. It's on my list of things to do though. In fact, you reminding me just bumped it up.:)
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2007
    What did you think of the headphone section?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    steveinaz wrote: »
    What did you think of the headphone section?

    It sounded nice enough. I really have nothing to compare it to as it's the first headphone anything I have listened to.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    Ok. You caught me at a good time since I am listening to my set up right now and I did a little switching between the Benchmark and the Parasound 850. The Benchmark sounds really nice. Pretty neutral. It does not sound as lush as the Parasound and it is more detailed yet does not seem bright. I like it. I think I even like it better maybe than the Parasound. I will listen some more. Damn you.:mad:












    :p
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2007
    Try it at higher volumes as well, this is where the neutrality really shines. The music just gets LARGER, rather than louder. Give it a go...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    I have run several diiferent artists through it on my Squeezebox and it may be just a tad bright for my ears actually. I can see where listener fatigue may set in for me as I listen. The detail is really nice though and it is probably just the brightness of the digital medium that is coming through that I am picking up on. The Parasound is not as detailed but it's not really lacking detail if that makes any sense at all. It sounds really nice though....still listening....
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2007
    Keep in mind, you haven't really broken in the preamp section of the DAC1 yet....let it run for few hours as background music while you're boxing up the Parasound....ouch, hey, I'm kidding, I'm kidding!

    Actually I know what you're saying, I thought my PHP-850 sounded really smooth---not the last word in articulation, but very, very listenable. I've got nothing but love for that little preamp.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    It sounds really nice. I am sure a lot of guys will like the sound because they are not as sensitive as us gals (or at least me). At first It sounded better but after a few switches, I like the Parasound pre better. The bass is better and it's more musical. The piano sounds real on the 850. The 850 may be a bit too warm but I think it helps digital sound better.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Keep in mind, you haven't really broken in the preamp section of the DAC1 yet....let it run for few hours as background music while you're boxing up the Parasound....ouch, hey, I'm kidding, I'm kidding!

    Actually I know what you're saying, I thought my PHP-850 sounded really smooth---not the last word in articulation, but very, very listenable. I've got nothing but love for that little preamp.

    Ha! Ha! I like the smooth. If it had a hair more articulation it would be perfect but the price was soooo right. If I were to replace it I wouldn't use the DAC1 but another pre I think.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2007
    wingnut4772 wrote: »
    It sounds really nice. I am sure a lot of guys will like the sound because they are not as sensitive as us gals (or at least me). At first It sounded better but after a few switches, I like the Parasound pre better. The bass is better and it's more musical. The piano sounds real on the 850. The 850 may be a bit too warm but I think it helps digital sound better.

    Well that is the way to go then. You do what presents the best sound to you. I found that I like the certain amount of "plushness" my MF A3CR provided. The DAC1 was neutral to a fault--I think you found the same, but figured you should try it anyway.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Well that is the way to go then. You do what presents the best sound to you. I found that I like the certain amount of "plushness" my MF A3CR provided. The DAC1 was neutral to a fault--I think you found the same, but figured you should try it anyway.

    It was a worthy experiment. Thanks for reminding me.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited October 2007
    If the Dac1 had a remote volume control, I would give it a shot as a preamp. But I just cannot think about getting up all the time to change the volume....
    Venom
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