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Thanks for the input..

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Audio Pharaoh

In Reply to: RE: So one need too spend $ 100,- too $ 1.200 on a USB-cable too make an USB DAC sound good? posted by hfavandepas on August 31, 2011 at 03:53:30

Mark, you don't have to spend the max for a cable. The range is wide for every budget. I was just saying that below $100.- USB cables suck..:-), IMHO.

You said " The reviewers favour the DAC's which originate from the music recording business "..The Benchmark was such a DAC and to my ears it sounded horrible and way over priced by audiophile standards.

" Prism Orpheus, Weiss DAC2, Metric Halo ULN 2, Apogee Symphony I/O. " I will keep them in mind. I'm done with sound cards, to my ears they'll all have sonic limitations in 'audiophile' terms.

I've concluded that for my 'main' set-up and to my ears there're currently 2 ways to do this :

- Well built PC set-up running USB out to an external DAC with true high quality USB cable. Maybe Firewire too if the option exists in the DAC.

- Well built PC set-up OR NAS arrangement running a very high quality network streamer, either from analogue outputs ( Linn higher end streamers come to mind ) or through a digital out to an external DAC ( Linn lower end streamers come to mind ).

I mentioned Linn specifically as I haven't heard other true high end network streamers to compare.

AP

Follow Ups:

I completely agree on the Benchmark. - hfavandepas 10:05:46 08/31/11 (2)
Hi Audio Pharaoh,

You must have a good system and also have good ears ! You exactly pin point at the weak points of the Benchmark DAC. I also agree the Benchmark sounds a somewhat �shrill� and a little harsh.
This is also the general opinion amongst audio engineers (see reviews in producer magazines).
But in a (mostly heavily) dampened acoustically environment like a mastering room, this negative aspect does not spring to attention that easily as it does in a (undampened) home environment.
The Dutch distributor (Helios) once auditioned too me a modified Benchmark with a better clock. In that modified copy the �shrillness� and �sharpness� where absent.

Since you have good ears, a tast for good sound quality (as this is acquired !) and probably also a good setup that reveals any flaws in a DAC, you really should put some effort in trying too audition some high quality interfaces from makes of : Prism, Metric Halo, Weiss, Lavry, Apogee (only the Symphony I/O !). May be also the new Lynx Hilo (which I have not heard myself yet, as it is not available in The Netherlands yet).
No matter what connection method used, I guess you might like the sound quality from one of those high quality (professional) audio interfaces very much AT GIVEN PRICE.

Provided that you do not hate too operate a computer or a notebook as your music source, these audio interfaces might perfectly bridge the gap between your computer and your HiFi system. Especially viewed from price/performance ratio perspective. As most streamers are still somehow (one way or the other) linux based computers in disguise.

I really (still) have a lot of sympathy for brands like Linn and Naim. They really put sound quality first. I�m also really exited about the announced merger between Focal and Naim. I don�t know, but I really hope, that they will manage too stay connected somehow with younger clientele that are used to do everything with their PC or smartphone.

Mark

fully optimized cMP2 PC -> ESI Juli@ -> Van den Hul Optocoupler MkII-> Lavry Black DA10 -> XLR Mogami Gold -> Klein & Hummel O300
- Probably true - AbeCollins 10:51:41 09/03/11 (1)
  An audiophile friend whose hearing I respect (we have similar likes and dislikes) had the Benchmark DAC and described it as you two did. He preferred the Apogee Duet and the Apogee Mini DAC over the Benchmark. He also owns the Prism Orpheus which he uses as his reference DAC for all other comparisons.
  
  I'm pretty happy with my Apogee Mini DAC (Firewire version) but as others have pointed out, it looks rather ugly with it's war paint front panel!
  
  I'm very curious about the Peachtree iDAC and DAC-iT as well as the Wyred 4 Sound DAC2 and the Burson DA-160.
  - RE: Probably true - Audio Pharaoh 04:26:45 09/05/11 (0)
    Hi Abe, also check the Aqvox USB DAC..A wonderfully musical DAC at a sane price.
    
    AP
    - Aqvox (Open in New Window)

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