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Hi,I’m looking to upgrade my 2-channel system sources. I’m considering Denon DP-S1 CD Transport ($8000 list), DA-S1 DAC ($7000 list) and Benchmark DAC1 ($975). Both DP-S1 and DA-S1 were first released in 1993.
How does the 12-year old 20-bit DA-S1 compare with the contemporary 24-bit Benchmark DAC1 in terms of sonic performance?I’m thinking of several permutations in my option:
Option 1: DP-S1 + DAC1
Option 2: DP-S1 + DA-S1
Option 3: Sony NS-755V DVD Player + DAC1Which option would you recommend?
Rest of my system config:
Sony DVP-NS755V DVD SACD Player
McIntosh C200 Preamp
McIntosh MC501 Monoblocks
Denon 5803 Receiver
B&W N802 Speakers
Follow Ups:
I use a Benchmark with a Naim DVD5 as a transport, and am very impressed.From other people who use the Pink Fish forum I understand that the B. is transport agnostic. One chap changed his Naim CDS2+PSU for a cheap DVD player and the B. - he doesn't think it is better, but different and v.good.
I have found it is sensitive to the digital cable you use and would recommend the Stereovox HDXV.
The rest of my system is Naim - but found using the B. introduced some round world features, such as imaging - without compromising the PRAT.
I havn't heard the other two.
Thanks Martin...I got a response from another stating the same view, I'm beginning to that DACs might be CD transport agnostic...
However, I'm just not sure the degree of difference the high-end transport makes with respect to precision and accuracy in timing, rotational speed, data pickup, etc...
The good old turn table analogy comes to mind - the precision in rotational speed, accuracy of pickup with the cartdridge/arm would definitely have sonic impact though.
The Denon DP-S1 CD Transport being 12 years, I wonder if I'm better off looking into newer CD Transports to take advantage of technology advances. Since my application is strictly for 2 channel audio with 16 bit CDs (though higher bit HDCD a bonus) and not SACD or DVD-Audio, I don't know enough about CD transport to conclude that newer transports would out perform this "old clunker" by leaps and bounds...
In short, anybody with DP-S1 experience and have compared it with more recent transports, please speak up.
I have used two DVD players and one SACD/CD player with DAC1. None comes close to using a computer as transport.Try using computer as transport for yourself, even just for evaluation. There are many ways to do it, starting from under $100. Check the Computer Audio forum or search old posts for more information.
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