Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Review: Benchmark DAC-1
I've long been skeptical about claims made for digital front ends, on
the basis that I've never been able to tell the slightest lick of difference between any device that's higher quality than a PlayStation. But reviews for the DAC-1 were positive, and it didn't have the sound of snake oil, so I figured I'd give 'er a whirl. My system is a Slim Devices Squeezebox (playing WMA Lossless streamed as PCM) to a Parasound P/LD-2000 preamp, Parasound HCA-1500 amp, and Paradigm Studio 100 speakers. I hooked the DAC-1 to the Squeezebox's coax digital out and into the preamp, set it to "Variable" mode, adjusted its volume until the two sounded like they were the same, and commenced non-blind A/B testing. Result: I couldn't tell a goddamn bit of difference. The Squeezebox's analog outs sounded precisely identical to the digital out going through the DAC-1. If it weren't for the click of the input switching, I wouldn't have even known there was a switch being made. -- Mike Kozlowski http://www.klio.org/mlk/ |
Reply |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Bose 901 Review | General | |||
What are they Teaching | Audio Opinions | |||
DA converter test - cheap CD player vs. Benchmark | Pro Audio | |||
DACs (benchmark vs. smART DIO) | High End Audio | |||
Mic Pres: Benchmark Media vs FMR RNP? | Pro Audio |