I've had a Benchmark Media DAC1 for about nine months. I think it's a great product for the price, especially if you're directly connecting it to a power amp, but be aware of some weaknesses. In my system, directly driving a PS Audio HCA-2 with balanced XLR connections, the performance of the DAC1 is highly dependent upon AC power quality, power cords, and power conditioning, etc. Experimenting is strongly suggested -- I still am. Additionally, the performance depends a lot upon the interconnect used, and the internal level settings (I'm using -10 dB setting). I can't comment about the performance of the single-ended RCA outputs. Again, experimentation is strongly advised. Vibration isolation experimentation is also advised -- I'm currently using Black Diamond Racing Cones MK IV, but still experimenting.
As far as variation in performance with various digital sources, such as Ciscomc suggests, I haven't found that to be the case, but then I don't have a high priced drive and cable to try, plus all my digital sources are a long distance from the DAC1, and highly power isolated, and completely ground isolated. Ciscomc's experiences with source dependency could be caused by vibrational connections, rf/em interference, AC power interference, or grounding problems. If you isolate all of these, then Benchmark Media's claimed immunity to source and digital cable might be accurate. I've used a variety of coax and Toslink digital sources and cables with negligible audible differences. This was one of the great selling points for the DAC1 for me, since I have four different digital sources connected to it, and I don't like the added complexity of tweaking digital sources. Perhaps, after I get other system issues taken care of, I'll be experimenting with source and digital cable effects.
Even with the issues I've mentioned, the Benchmark Media DAC1 is a wonderful product worth serious consideration if you're in the market for a DAC. Just don't expect to drop it into your system and get great performance (unless you're lucky). Tweaking was necessary for me -- performance can be stunning when you reach a sweet spot. I'm considering the posibility of doing internal modifications to the output stage, power supply, and adding rfi/emi treatment, to see if the performance can be further improved.
I'd enjoy hearing of others experiences.
As far as variation in performance with various digital sources, such as Ciscomc suggests, I haven't found that to be the case, but then I don't have a high priced drive and cable to try, plus all my digital sources are a long distance from the DAC1, and highly power isolated, and completely ground isolated. Ciscomc's experiences with source dependency could be caused by vibrational connections, rf/em interference, AC power interference, or grounding problems. If you isolate all of these, then Benchmark Media's claimed immunity to source and digital cable might be accurate. I've used a variety of coax and Toslink digital sources and cables with negligible audible differences. This was one of the great selling points for the DAC1 for me, since I have four different digital sources connected to it, and I don't like the added complexity of tweaking digital sources. Perhaps, after I get other system issues taken care of, I'll be experimenting with source and digital cable effects.
Even with the issues I've mentioned, the Benchmark Media DAC1 is a wonderful product worth serious consideration if you're in the market for a DAC. Just don't expect to drop it into your system and get great performance (unless you're lucky). Tweaking was necessary for me -- performance can be stunning when you reach a sweet spot. I'm considering the posibility of doing internal modifications to the output stage, power supply, and adding rfi/emi treatment, to see if the performance can be further improved.
I'd enjoy hearing of others experiences.