Bel Canto Dac3 to replace Benchmark Dac1

BlueFox
BlueFox Posts: 15,251
edited July 2009 in Electronics
Does anyone have any experience with the Bel Canto Dac3, especially if you have compared it to the Benchmark Dac1? I have an upgrade itch, and this seems like a nice step up from the Benchmark Dac1. But, if there really is not a significant improvement then perhaps it isn't a worthwhile upgrade, at least at this time.

Thanks.
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.
Post edited by BlueFox on
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited June 2009
    Stereophile did a comparison about a year ago or so, I cannot find the link. First I ask, what exactly is the Benchmark not doing that you feel the BC Dac3 will?
    Venom
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2009
    venomclan wrote: »
    Stereophile did a comparison about a year ago or so, I cannot find the link. First I ask, what exactly is the Benchmark not doing that you feel the BC Dac3 will?
    Venom


    Thanks. I found a 2007 review. Reading between the lines, it seems to me they are saying it is, essentially, the same as the Dac1. They feel the Dac1 is better in the lows, and the Dac3 is a bit clearer in the highs.

    "I so wish that Bel Canto's e.One DAC3 had been priced closer to $1250 than to $2500. The former would make it a no-brainer credit-card purchase for almost any audiophile wanting digital playback quality that is the state of the art ca 2007. At $2495, its purchase should be a more considered decision. "

    http://stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/1107bc/

    The Dac1 is great, but like everything else in this hobby, there is always something better. Maybe I will have to look harder at the Berkely Audio Design Alpha Dac.

    http://www.berkeleyaudiodesign.com/products.html
    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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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited June 2009
    I have only had the Benchmark a little while now, before that I had a Bel Canto Dac 1.1 and a number of cd players over the years. My take on this is that when I hear a review of some dac or pre saying how warm it was, it can sometimes mean that colorization is added. I feel that I would want every ounce of information sqeezed from the source with the utmost jitter control; enter the Benchmark. One can always tweek the sound further down the chain with cables, pre's amps....but once the signal is tweeked at the source, everything else in the chain has less to work with. My 2 cents.
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited June 2009
    steveinaz and I compared the Benchmark and the Bel Canto DAC2 at his house a few years ago. Besides appearance and a bit more functionality from the Benchmark, we were hard pressed to find any notable differences. The only thing we noticed was that on a passage with some noticeable hand clapping keeping the rhythm, the Bel Canto was ever so slightly more natural sounding.

    I have since upgraded from the DAC2 and have found the Cambridge Audio azur 840c CDP to be superior in every way: cleaner, more detailed but not bright, better image and width, naturalness, etc. If I were upgrading from the Benchmark (or one a few years old) I'd look hard at the Cambridge.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited June 2009
    BlueFox wrote: »
    theres always something better.
    As well as a great digital section,the discrete Class A analog stage makes this one a serious contender.http://bryston.com/bda1_m.html
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2009
    GV#27 wrote: »
    As well as a great digital section,the discrete Class A analog stage makes this one a serious contender.http://bryston.com/bda1_m.html

    Thanks!!

    It is only $500 more than the Dac1, is $500 less than the Bel Canto Dac3, and $3000 less than the Berekley Alpha Dac. If it works as good as their marketing spec sheet says then it should be a good upgrade from the Benchmark Dac1.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited June 2009
    I-SIG wrote: »
    I have since upgraded from the DAC2 and have found the Cambridge Audio azur 840c CDP to be superior in every way: cleaner, more detailed but not bright, better image and width, naturalness, etc. If I were upgrading from the Benchmark (or one a few years old) I'd look hard at the Cambridge.

    Wes

    That is interesting. stereophile recently reviewed the $400 Cambridge-Audio DacMagic and said it was equal to the $1500 Cambridge-Audio 840C in regard to sound quality.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited June 2009
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Thanks!!

    It is only $500 more than the Dac1, is $500 less than the Bel Canto Dac3, and $3000 less than the Berekley Alpha Dac. If it works as good as their marketing spec sheet says then it should be a good upgrade from the Benchmark Dac1.
    I have heard it and it's the real deal.I believe its analog stage sets it apart from the competition.If you like detailed (but not overly analytical) mids and treble,great dynamic slam and deep bass then it may be to your liking.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    venomclan wrote: »
    I have only had the Benchmark a little while now, before that I had a Bel Canto Dac 1.1 and a number of cd players over the years. My take on this is that when I hear a review of some dac or pre saying how warm it was, it can sometimes mean that colorization is added. I feel that I would want every ounce of information sqeezed from the source with the utmost jitter control; enter the Benchmark. One can always tweek the sound further down the chain with cables, pre's amps....but once the signal is tweeked at the source, everything else in the chain has less to work with. My 2 cents.

    Agreed, The Benchmark ran straight from the amp is incredible.
    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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  • jyli19
    jyli19 Posts: 4
    edited July 2009
    The DAC 3 is simply amazing. One thing to separate the Bel Canto vs the Benchmark is feed it using the Bel Canto CD 2 outputing 24bit signal. The dimension of the soundfield and separation of instruments are the best I ever heard. Except from the Esoteric showroom at CES, but that adds another digit your equipment costs.

    Oh, two things, the build quality on the Bel Canto just feels that much more solidifying.
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