Benchmark dac - why such diverging opinions?

I also auditioned a Benchmark HDR at home several months ago. Like a lot of people, I found it too lean in the mid-bass, and while the treble was impressivly extended, I found I didn't really like the sounds that were revealed "way up there" (I believe in a live situation that extreme treble frequencies never make it to the ears. I remember a cartoon showing two audiophiles walking out of a concert and agreeing, "Not enough treble!".) I did like the exceptionally clean and bell-like midrange. Also the sound was very immediate and "quick". I really wanted to like it more because it's such a cool piece of gear, but it's not really how I want to hear the music.

Maybe it's an issue of "you can't handle the truth!" Maybe all the other equipment I like is plump in the mid-bass and rolled off on top. Quite possible given that I gravitate towards tube gear.

"Musical" is just another way of saying "I like it", isn't it? Even "it sounds like live music" is totally subjective; everyone takes away something different from the experience of live music.

One thing that's only been touched on briefly so far that may effect opinions about the Benchmark is that it is "pro" gear. I don't think this effected my own opinion; I respect the hard-nosed engineering ethic of much pro gear. But some people crinkle their nose at gear from any company with a pro reputation.

By the way, I did try the DAC1 with the different output level settings (a feature I wish more gear had).