[Freo-1]

The Benchmark DAC2 HGC is quite the impressive unit.  It can act as a preamp, Headphone Amp, and of course, a DAC.

I've been after a high end DAC for some time now.  Have had a few DAC's for audition over the years.  I've enjoyed the sound from a Wavelength Audio COSINE DAC (NOS) with a tube amp system.  The Eastern Electric DAC wound up not being any better than a standard Oppo 95, and was bettered by the Oppo BDP 105.  In fact, most DAC's I have tried have not sounded any better than the Oppo 105.

Enter the Benchmark DAC2.  It received a A+ rating from Stereophile.  The reviews and measurements are first rate.  A opportunity came up to get one for a good price, so I jumped on it. 

To date, I have used it only as a DAC via XLR.  The playback system consists of a Primare PRE32, and the power amps are a pair of Primare A34.2 configured in mono, which outputs 550 watts per channel.  Speakers are ATC SCM19's (with upgraded outboard crossovers), and a ATC C1 subwoofer. 

All listening was done with CD's and DVD's being sourced from a Oppo BDP 105.   

Initially tried a variety of CD's with varied music types (Jazz, Rock, Classical).  In each case, I was FLOORED with the difference between the Benchmark and the Oppo.  The noise floor was MUCH lower with the Benchmark.  Switching between the Oppo and DAC provided an immediate and noticeable difference.  Not only is the noise floor lower, the sound from the DAC2 is smoother as well.  No listening fatigue from music via the DAC2.  Vocals, strings, and brass instruments took on a degree of clarity and tonality with the DAC2 that the Oppo does not quite achieve.  Bass had excellent slam, and very tight and tuneful.  I didn't think there would be much of a difference for CD between the Oppo and the Benchmark.  I was pleasantly surprised that there was a obvious degree of improvement in every aspect of CD playback.  The anti-jitter circuit in the Benchmark is outstanding.

Next tried DVD's.  For 48 KZ/16 and 24 bit, the difference was just as noticeable.  It's as if a veil is lifted and allows the listener to get closer to the musical experience.   

In no way am I trying to sledge the Oppo.  It's a great player, and sounds excellent with hi res DVD audio and SACD.   However,  to get the best out of CD and DVD, the Benchmark provides a marked improvement across the board.

Over time, will try the Benchmark as a preamp, feeding the power amps directly.  Also will set up a sever setup with Hi-Res recordings (DSD, LCPM).

To me, this DAC is worth it just for improved CD performance.  The other features are icing on the cake.   

[sts9fan]

I love my DAC2 and have felt no desire to switch. I feed amps directly.

[Freo-1]

I love my DAC2 and have felt no desire to switch. I feed amps directly.

Are you using the RCA or XLR out?  If XLR, what do you have the output set at (0, -10, -20). 

[JLM]

Have always been a fan, but some reviewers mentioned a dry, analytical studio sound.  Any opinions to that?

[Freo-1]

Have always been a fan, but some reviewers mentioned a dry, analytical studio sound.  Any opinions to that?

The short answer is:  DAC 1 = yes.  DAC 2 = no.

The DAC 2 is without question the best and most accurate sounding digital source I have come across to date. 

[jtwrace]

The short answer is:  DAC 1 = yes.  DAC 2 = no.

The DAC 2 is without question the best and most accurate sounding digital source I have come across to date.

And it's $2k which is nice. 

[Freo-1]

And it's $2k which is nice.

Agreed.  Especially when compared to other top end DAC units. 

The Primare/ ATC combo with the DAC 2 is outstanding in terms of sound quality. 

[jtwrace]

Agreed.  Especially when compared to other top end DAC units. 

The Primare/ ATC combo with the DAC 2 is outstanding in terms of sound quality.

Yes, for sure.  I've always thought their offerings are top notch. 

[Panelhead1]

  Plus great customer service. I always evaluate dacs by the resolution and noise floor measurements. Feed it a 16 bit file with a 1khz sine wave at -90.3 dB. Should exhibit a noise floor around -128 dB. Then switch to a 24 bit signal.
  There are a handful of dacs that hit or exceed -160 dB. The DAC2 is one of them. This is 22 bit resolution, which is way better than the rest of a system.
  Most amps are somewhere around -100 dB, preamps a little better. The best amp I know of is -130 dB, same as 16 bit resolution. From my experience the difference between 20 - 21 but resolution (most dacs) and the SOTA at 22 bit can easily be heard.
  I have a 22 bit resolution dac with preamp also. It sounds cleaner and resolves details that the 20 bit dacs I own miss. Npne of my amps have a S/N ratio over 115. The lowest resolution dac I have is better.

[Freo-1]

Recently added a KanexPro Audio De-Embedder to allow SACD/Blu Ray/DVD Audio from HMDI out from a Oppo BDP-105 to feed the Benchmark.

 In every case, the Benchmark sounds better than using the Oppo analog output.  The re-clock circuitry in the Benchmark does a remarkable job of processing the signal from the KanexPro.   Even with the DSD/LCPM conversion, the Benchmark still sounds better than native DSD from the Oppo (with my playback system). 

It's not so much that that the Oppo does not sound good (it does).  It's more the fact that the Benchmark has a lower noise floor, and the analog out from the Benchmark is simply remarkable. 


The Benchmark DAC2 may be the last DAC you ever need to get the best sound from digital sources.  It will make almost any analog source sound compromised by comparison. 

[gbeard]

I currently have both a DAC2 HGC and an AHB2 amp in for review. BM has really got something here. While the HGC is clearly very detailed, I don't think I've ever thought it was dry. It will tell you if a recording sucks, but strangely, it will still be enjoyable. For those that own a HGC, especially if you are digital only, you've got to hear it with the AHB2. 

[Freo-1]

I currently have both a DAC2 HGC and an AHB2 amp in for review. BM has really got something here. While the HGC is clearly very detailed, I don't think I've ever thought it was dry. It will tell you if a recording sucks, but strangely, it will still be enjoyable. For those that own a HGC, especially if you are digital only, you've got to hear it with the AHB2. 

Excellent.  Look forward to reading the review.  The ABH2 looks like a very interesting amp indeed.

My speakers need a lot of wattage to sound their best.  The setup has a Primare PRE32 connected to a pair of Primare A34.2 amps configured as mono amps (550 watts a channel).   The speakers are ATC-SCM19's with outboard crossovers.   The DAC2 HGC works outstanding as a stand alone DAC in this setup.  This is without question one of the best sounding setups I've ever heard.  Totally agree with your assessment of HGC.  There is not a hint of hardness or edge to the playback.  It faithfully reproduces the original recording. 

[opnly bafld]

Excellent.  Look forward to reading the review.  The ABH2 looks like a very interesting amp indeed.

My speakers need a lot of wattage to sound their best. 

IME ATCs would be fine with the 100 watt ABH2 (unless listening at ear bleed levels).
I've used as little as 6 sep watts and they were phenomenal together (if lacking a little headroom).
I have no problems with 50 tube and 70 ss watts at my listening levels in a fairly large room.
A 300 watt amp made no difference, a case where quality is more equal than quantity IMO.

Good news though on the DAC2 HGC since I also have thought the Benchmark DACs would be a bit dry and analytical.

[mckeelma]

How is the HP amp stage? Or, are you using it as such? I've been equally happy with my Nuprime DAC-10h which has the same components....always interested how other similar products compare.

[Freo-1]

IME ATCs would be fine with the 100 watt ABH2 (unless listening at ear bleed levels).
I've used as little as 6 sep watts and they were phenomenal together (if lacking a little headroom).
I have no problems with 50 tube and 70 ss watts at my listening levels in a fairly large room.
A 300 watt amp made no difference, a case where quality is more equal than quantity IMO.

Good news though on the DAC2 HGC since I also have thought the Benchmark DACs would be a bit dry and analytical.

The Benckmark DAC2 is a much different sounding unit from the DAC1.  It is one of the most important and influential units of audio gear I have come across in years.  This brings true "high end" audio performance at a reasonable price.  I have tried it with both my tube and solid state playback system, and in both cases, the improvement is truly remarkable.


Regarding the ATC's, I was careful to word my assessment that they need power to sound their best.  I'll stand by that statement. 

Rest assured that I do not listen at "ear splitting" levels ever.   In fact, I went to a symphony last evening, and the volume level from the concert was close to what my playback level is when listening to classical.  Currently, about 60% of music that I listen to is classical, and I use the SS playback setup for mostly classical.  I had initially tried the system as a 150 watt stereo, and while it was fine, one could tell that some dynamic passages were slightly congested.  That issue went away with the second amp, and re-configuring to mono.  I'm sure you are already well aware, but the extra power just makes the playback sound cleaner when there are large dynamics at play.

I also have a tube playback setup (110 watt and 90 watt mono blocks) with another pair of ATC's, and yes, they sound wonderful with the tube amps.  I tend to listen to mostly rock/jazz/blues with the tube system, and do not notice any need to have additional wattage when listening to this setup with the aforementioned music.

[Freo-1]

How is the HP amp stage? Or, are you using it as such? I've been equally happy with my Nuprime DAC-10h which has the same components....always interested how other similar products compare.

Don't know.  Haven't tried it yet.  I have a Stax ESL setup for phones usage. 

If I get to it, I have a couple sets of Sony cans laying around I can try it with.  I would go to Head Fi.org for info.

[opnly bafld]

Thanks for the info on the DAC2.

I don't want to argue about ATC speaker power requirements, but the post above and one you made in the Bryston circle  "I have SCM-19's, and I can tell you they love power.  Bryston amps should go well with ATC's, as they are not a difficult load, just a bit power hungry."  goes contrary to my experience.
While ATCs can handle high power, I don't want prospective buyers to pass because they think expensive high power amps are required.
As with any good speaker, simply pair with an equally good amp and enjoy. 

[Freo-1]

Thanks for the info on the DAC2.

I don't want to argue about ATC speaker power requirements, but the post above and one you made in the Bryston circle  "I have SCM-19's, and I can tell you they love power.  Bryston amps should go well with ATC's, as they are not a difficult load, just a bit power hungry."  goes contrary to my experience.
While ATCs can handle high power, I don't want prospective buyers to pass because they think expensive high power amps are required.
As with any good speaker, simply pair with an equally good amp and enjoy. 

Ah, I get where you are coming from.  Agree that one can get great sound from the ATC's with many different amps, and a high power amp is not required to get enjoyable sound from them. 

It is good for potential buyers to know that they can handle the high power amps is desired. 

[jd3]

I just got the AHB2 and will probably go with the DAC 2 HGC soon.   From the comments I've seen that combo is really great.