Liked it so much....

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited April 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
...I got another one :D. This time the DAC1 PRE. 3 Coax inputs, 1 analog, 1 toslink, 1 usb. Upgraded opamps and RCA connections:
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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  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 955
    edited March 2009
    I've been looking in to this thing..debating on actually needing the full pre or not.....it could be in my future.

    Added to my audio to do list - check!
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin T2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC: Denafrips Pontus II Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Pass X150.8 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Morrow M4 ICs & Audio Art SC-5 ePlus, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2009
    I struggled with the same thing. I really don't need an analog in, but I much prefer the selector knob instead of the teeny-tiny toggle on the DAC1 USB. Having the multiple coax inputs will also let me "deep-six" my digital switch....very cool.
    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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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited March 2009
    I gave this serious consideration when I was looking at USB DACs but really didn't need another pre. Looks awesome!
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2009
    The new connection scheme:
    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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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,965
    edited March 2009
    Congrats....is the sound that much better than the other?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited March 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    ...I got another one :D. This time the DAC1 PRE. 3 Coax inputs, 1 analog, 1 toslink, 1 usb. Upgraded opamps and RCA connections:

    I did the same thing a while back. Dac1 in the HT, and Dac1 Pre in the 2 channel. I am thinking of buying another Dac1, another Wadia iTransport, another iPod, and headphones for use at work.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited March 2009
    Expecting a full report, Steve. :)
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    Will do Jesse. The DAC1 PRE arrives today, and wouldn't cha know it--I'm home sick...LOL
    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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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    tonyb wrote: »
    Congrats....is the sound that much better than the other?

    Tony
    From what I have read, the new opamps are triple the cost of the ones they replace, and reviewers are stating that the treble is more extended, smoother and more airy. Personally, I don't know how the treble could be any better than it is on my older DAC1--but hey, I'll take it! JA at Stereophile said of the DAC1 PRE's measured performance: "for an analog preamplifier, it doesn't get any better than this."
    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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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited April 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    The DAC1 PRE arrives today, and wouldn't cha know it--I'm home sick...LOL

    Funny how that works. :D
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    oh Jesse, this thing is sweet. Morph the Cat is punching the **** out of my chest right now..I'll kiss & tell later
    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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  • seafire
    seafire Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    Wow nice!:D
    What DACS are inside there and how much would one of those set me back in USD?
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Will do Jesse. The DAC1 PRE arrives today, and wouldn't cha know it--I'm home sick...LOL

    Ha......I did the same thing when the Aleph arrived :D
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    I think I'm having an "Aleph" moment...shhhhh...shh...Sara Evans is in the living room and I've got to get her **** outta here before the wife gets home...
    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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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    seafire wrote: »
    Wow nice!:D
    What DACS are inside there and how much would one of those set me back in USD?

    You can get the DAC1 USB for $1295, the DAC1 PRE also includes USB, a line level input, and 3 digital coaxial inputs for $1595.

    Hit the Benchmark Media website for details...
    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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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I think I'm having an "Aleph" moment...shhhhh...shh...Sara Evans is in the living room and I've got to get her **** outta here before the wife gets home...

    Steve...............I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU"RE COMING FROM. Enjoy!
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    Thank god I'm off tommorrow, I'll be up all damn night...

    You know it's equipment like this that makes me wonder why there's a need for anything beyond 16 bit, 44kHz...
    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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  • seafire
    seafire Posts: 459
    edited April 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Thank god I'm off tommorrow, I'll be up all damn night...

    You know it's equipment like this that makes me wonder why there's a need for anything beyond 16 bit, 44kHz...
    YUP I agree.Thanks will check out their website.
    I have something for you which I think you will enjoy.I don't own this but have heard it in action and the results are astounding!Its on my next shopping list check it out and tell me what you think.www.jitter.de
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2009
    I have seen that device before, I don't think the Benchmark needs it. It's jitter-lock technology is pretty impressive.
    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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  • Michael_Js
    Michael_Js Posts: 34
    edited April 2009
    wow, very cool!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2009
    You have enough posts to hock your goods now............
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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