So Many DACs - So Little Time!

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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2010
    bikerboy wrote: »
    If you can solder, the Twisted Pear Audio Buffalo II will be available soon. All their stuff is balanced. Then you would have the newest ESS 9018 dac available. The Peach Tree and Oppo and others use the 9008 or 9006 which are older dacs from ESS. Hard to say why there are so many Benchmarks on AG.

    Is this the Dac????

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1271824773&/Buffalo-32s-Dac-Twisted-Pear-Audio
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited February 2010
    That looks like the first version of the TPA ESS 9018. The new one is called BuffaloII. That one on AG should sound very good, but the new verision should be better.

    http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/buffalo.aspx
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2010
    danz1906 wrote: »
    Why are there so many Benchmark Dacs for sale on Audiogon???

    Probably people wanting to upgrade to the Benchmark "HDR" for its remote capability. Also, the classic baseline DAC1 doesn't have the upgraded opamps like the DAC USB, DAC/PRE, and DAC/PRE HDR.
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2010
    bikerboy wrote: »
    That looks like the first version of the TPA ESS 9018. The new one is called BuffaloII. That one on AG should sound very good, but the new verision should be better.

    http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/buffalo.aspx

    I think this Dac has the Newer 9018 chip.
    What do you think???

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1271780789&/Eastern-Electric-MiniMax-Tube
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited February 2010
    Thats what doctorcilantro has preordered. I wonder what he had to pay for it and when his will show up? From what I've read thats the only other ESS 9018 available at this time. It will interesting to see what he has to say about it.
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • 98Badger
    98Badger Posts: 317
    edited February 2010
    I have had the Cambridge DACmagic and PS Audio DIII in my system. The PS Audio provided better bass control and sounded a little more lively to my ears, but the high end was a little sharp for my tastes. The Cambridge is a little less forward but doesn't seem to emphasize the bass as much.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited February 2010
    I've had a chance to experience several of the models. The best combination of musicality and detail goes to the Neko D100 (it has balanced outputs). It is so good that I cracked open my wallet and bought one, it should be in my rig by Monday.

    A lot of Benchmark's are on Audiogon I believe, because they continue to add new models that have more different features that fit perfectly the absolute specific needs of the buyer.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2010
    The new W4S DAC will also be using the 9018: http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/site/74030/117839/shopping/shopping-view.html?pid=396494&b_id=&find_groupid=18157
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited February 2010
    WE'll be doing a shootout on March 2nd with:

    EE DAC
    Benchmark DAC1
    Magic DAC
    Cary Xciter

    others?
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2010
    Face wrote: »
    The new W4S DAC will also be using the 9018: http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/site/74030/117839/shopping/shopping-view.html?pid=396494&b_id=&find_groupid=18157

    Very Interesting, but out of stock at this time.
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2010
    doctorcilantro wrote: »
    WE'll be doing a shootout on March 2nd with:

    EE DAC
    Benchmark DAC1
    Magic DAC
    Cary Xciter

    others?

    Awesome,,,,,Let me know which unit comes out on Top!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2010
    markmarc wrote: »
    I've had a chance to experience several of the models. The best combination of musicality and detail goes to the Neko D100 (it has balanced outputs). It is so good that I cracked open my wallet and bought one, it should be in my rig by Monday.

    A lot of Benchmark's are on Audiogon I believe, because they continue to add new models that have more different features that fit perfectly the absolute specific needs of the buyer.

    Its looks pretty good, let us know how its sounds in your system.
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited February 2010
    doctorcilantro wrote: »
    WE'll be doing a shootout on March 2nd with:

    EE DAC
    Benchmark DAC1
    Magic DAC
    Cary Xciter

    others?

    Worth trying out Peachtree Nova's DAC against those?

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited March 2010
    doctorcilantro wrote: »
    WE'll be doing a shootout on March 2nd with:

    EE DAC
    Benchmark DAC1
    Magic DAC
    Cary Xciter

    others?

    How did the shoot-out turn-out???
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited March 2010
    I had a replacement EE DAC on the way, and didn't even make it unfortunately.

    We'll hopefully have round 2 soon with some interesting DACs.

    DC
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited March 2010
    doctorcilantro wrote: »
    I had a replacement EE DAC on the way, and didn't even make it unfortunately.

    We'll hopefully have round 2 soon with some interesting DACs.

    DC

    Sounds good,,,,,,,,Thanks
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • Ranger0912
    Ranger0912 Posts: 50
    edited March 2010
    Love my PS Audio Digital Link III. Even stock without the Cullen mods it sounds great.
    McIntosh MA-7000 Integrated
    Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CD
    B&W 805s
    Logitech Transporter Wireless Link
    Mac Mini Music Server
    Furman Elite Power Conditioning
    Signal Cable, Magic Power Cables
    Signal Cable, Silver Resolution Balanced Interconnects
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited March 2010
    Ranger0912 wrote: »
    Love my PS Audio Digital Link III. Even stock without the Cullen mods it sounds great.

    The PS audio DL3 is a great Dac at its new $695.00 price

    http://www.musicdirect.com/product/74117
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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