John Atkinson ALMOST came out and said "ROSCONEY"

orthobiz · « **on:** 13 Sep 2004, 08:42 pm »

Sept's Stereophile reviewed the Simaudio Moon Equinox CD player and did a comparison between it and the Toshiba 3950, mentioning (even) audioasylum as a source! (Rosconey, are you out there? come back!) If someone else has pointed this out already, then I guess I missed the thread.

Anyway, their new beloved hi-end low-cost DAC is the Benchmark DAC1. I'm considering it and the AVA Tube DAC (I saw a couple of old threads about the AVA) to run with my Toshiba.

Anybody else have experience with the Benchmark? If I buy it by tomorrow, shipping is free...And I didn't see any AVA summer sale this year...

biz

nathanm · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Sep 2004, 10:10 pm »

I've got one on order. I saw them via Mercenary Audio though, I wasn't aware of Stereophile review. I became rather tired of the crackling and pops coming from my Klipsch processor unit and figured it was time to waste money on yet another frivilous audio purchase. *sigh*

I like the size of the thing especially.

I dunno why everyone keeps parroting the phrase "low cost" whenever you read about this thing. Cripes people, is everyone an investment banker? Since when is a thousand bucks pocket change? Sheesh! Let's face it, this is an expensive DAC. Not the MOST expensive DAC, but geez you can get the ART DIO for about 800 bucks less. You can get an equally or cooler-encased DAC from Ack! for half the price. I mean, you aren't gonna find this thing on the shelf at Circuit City ya know.

Anyway, we'll see if Benchmark's engineering is better than ART's. Static season is coming soon and that'll be the litmus test for this little sucker.

Rich Carlson · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Sep 2004, 12:09 am »

I've had the Benchmark for about a month now, and I'm happy. It replaced (well, not exactly "replaced" since I still have the previous DAC as well) a ModWright level 1 Perpetual Technologies P-3A, and to me seems clearly better on all dimensions, especially bass. I do think it sounds better through my Bryston BP-25 than directly into the amp.

Rich

orthobiz · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Sep 2004, 12:40 am »

Nathan,

I agree about low-cost not really being low cost. But I like audio, probably gradually dumped 10 grand over the past year to get the AVA amp, AVA preamp, redo my Linn, redo my Dahlquists, buy a redone M-D FT101 tuner from APS, not to mention the Clearaudio power supply for the Linn (too cheap to get the Lingo, too afraid to go without) and the real splurge on the Loricraft record cleaner (but oh, is it a marvel to watch!). Oh yeah, the PS Audio Power Director to route everything.

What's funny is that my whole system could maybe get a single speaker out of the average Stereophile magazine. But boy, am I ever having a blast listening to music and checking out this site.

Anyway, I spent 50 bucks on my Toshi 3950 and I guess a grand for the DAC1 is a lot but not totally outrageous. And I really love this site and the help everyone has given me with prompt answers to my questions and issues.

Biz

audioengr · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Sep 2004, 02:52 am »

Quote from: Rich Carlson

I've had the Benchmark for about a month now, and I'm happy. It replaced (well, not exactly "replaced" since I still have the previous DAC as well) a ModWright level 1 Perpetual Technologies P-3A, and to me seems clearly better on all dimensions, especially bass. I do think it sounds better through my Bryston BP-25 than directly into the amp.

Rich

Rich - you are not considering selling your P-3A are you??

eico1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Sep 2004, 03:13 am »

Quote from: audioengr

Rich - you are not considering selling your P-3A are you??

Rich, maybe Empirical will update the p3-a to the current SOTA for a shootout with the Benchmark?:)

steve

orthobiz · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Sep 2004, 12:57 am »

Ordered my Benchmark today, last day of free two day shipping from Benchmark...

biz

rosconey · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Sep 2004, 01:10 pm »

as good as the toshiba is the shengya i replaced it with is much better-
i say about a class b

orthobiz · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Sep 2004, 02:05 pm »

I'm sticking with you, Rosconey. My Benchmark DAC1 will be here next week and on another thread I'm really really close to buying the Musical Fidelity X-10 v3. Something about the Musical Fidelity is just drawing me in...

biz