Propeller Head Plaza

Posted by Don Till (A) on October 28, 2009 at 08:21:58

In Reply to: RE: What is missing in measurements, so there's lack of correlation between them and sound quality? posted by carcass93 on October 27, 2009 at 09:49:33

Did you spend time finding the best interconnects and PC or did you use stuff that was selected for some other DAC?

I don't know these things. Did you consider them?

Is it possible that what you heard through the Benchmark was actually the recording, which was "tamed" by other less revealling components?

"From my own experience, Benchmark (silver-faced, so one of the latest generations, if not the latest) via AES/EBU was somewhat harsh in highs and forward sounding, easily outclassed by several solid-state DACs I tried in the same and higher price range - so preference for "tube" sound (Wavelength) is not the reason."

Though you listened to these players the question is did you do what it takes to get the best from them before you reached your conclusions?

Your preference for "tube" sound comment is kind of ridiculus to say the least. Do people still take that comment seriously?

" What measurements are there, show superiority of Benchmark in every category (which prompts "objectivists" to talk about "engineered colorations" and "deliberate colorations as design goal"). "

How a designer choses his compromises may be characterized different ways but regardless of whatever criticism one should listen prior to considering their relative importance.

Often people will mention that any coloration detracts from the ideal. In my opinion this is a fair as well as an inarguable point. However how often do we reach such an ideal and isn't worth considering that some loss of performance is preferable given the ideal in order to better benefit the vast majority of recordings available?

I think the answer is simply yes. My position isn't based so much on "performance" as much as it is on the ability to enjoy a wide diversity of recordings regardless of genre as well as recording style. But there is no doubt increased performance plays a role in this diversity as well and colorations/compromises can only be such they allow for an expanding diversity.

My guess is that the majority, but not a vast majority, of hi end audio equipment is designed by ear and not by measurements.

• Too Transport Sensitive.......... - Todd Krieger 15:47:45 10/28/09 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: Did you hear the Benchmark at it's best? posted by Don Till on October 28, 2009 at 08:21:58

  At best, it sounds decent in the short term. The problem with this particular DAC is it uses asynchronous sample-rate conversion (24/110 kHz upsampling, a little different from 24/96 or 24/192), which I find very fatiguing to listen to long-term. There is a "mist" of HF noise that initially seems to be part of the music ("added detail"), then it "rides" on the music, then it ultimately *dominates* the music.
  
  
  
  

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  Edits: 10/28/09
• RE: Did you hear the Benchmark at it's best? - morricab 15:09:14 10/28/09 (1)
  In Reply to: RE: Did you hear the Benchmark at it's best? posted by Don Till on October 28, 2009 at 08:21:58

  yes, its nowhere nearly as good as the Monarchy M24 DAC for about the same price. Not even close, actually.
  

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  • I suspect it's a modern day Adcom GFP 565. - bjh 04:56:27 10/29/09 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: Did you hear the Benchmark at it's best? posted by morricab on October 28, 2009 at 15:09:14

    SF has a poor record when it comes to giant slayers.
    
    Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
    
    

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• RE: Did you hear the Benchmark at it's best? - kerr 12:03:31 10/28/09 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: Did you hear the Benchmark at it's best? posted by Don Till on October 28, 2009 at 08:21:58

  > My guess is that the majority, but not a vast majority, of hi end audio equipment is designed by ear and not by measurements. <
  
  I'm going to go with "designed by measurements, fine tuned by ear".
  
  One of the best sounding integrated amplifiers I ever experienced (within a reasonable budget) gave the user the ability to change the amount of negative feedback. The best measured setting gave the worst sonic performance and the worst measured setting gave me the most glorious sound imaginable. The whole concept of giving the user the choice was because the original, perfect measuring, design didn't sell because it sounded like crap. :)
  
  

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• Don't forget supports (isolation footers, etc.) Then again - bjh 11:06:31 10/28/09 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: Did you hear the Benchmark at it's best? posted by Don Till on October 28, 2009 at 08:21:58

  perhaps you're not quite ready for another epiphany.
  
  :)
  
  Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
  
  

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