Benchmark USB DAC vs. EAD 7000 Mk3 DAC


I currently own the EAD 7000 Mk 3 DAC and am very happy with it. However. wander lust always strikes and I am wandering if anyone has any experience with the Benchmark USB DAC and the EAD DAC... is the newer DAC an upgrade or maybe a downgrade over the EAD?
128x128daveyf

Showing 1 response by tonyptony

Davey, I agree pretty much with Jsadurni. I tried the Benchmark in my system. I have a Mk.III, that I have had for many years but was upgraded a few years ago by the boys at Noble (Boelen at the time). IMO my Mk.III sounds better than an unmodified unit - still musical and natural but maybe with a bit more transparency and extension. I found the Benchmark to sound very clear and clean, but in the end it didn't seem to be as natural sounding to me with complex music (in my system). I think it's a good value for the money and might work very well in the right system. But if you are still kind of happy with the EAD I might recommend that you send it in to Noble for some work. You may be very pleased with the result.