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Finding a little warmth from Benchmark1 USB DAC

So I've always appreciated a relatively dry sound from my audio equipment, and abhored the sound that tubed equipment yields. I started the hobby when I was in high school by getting a pair of Dynaudio Contour 1.8 mk IIs, and wound up with a Krell 300il (identical to the 400xi)last year. I just finished off my "system" after buying a Benchmark 1 USB DAC, that I am connecting to an older iMac that has my music collection in a lossless format.

My issue is that while I adore the setup's overall resolution and pinpoint accuracy, it's producing a very lean sound that is a bit bright, and stark for my tastes. My favorite listening setup was a Levinson 383 integrated hooked up to Dynaudio Special 25s. The Dynaudios had spectacular resolution and neutrality, while the Levinson was able to give a substantial, slightly darker sound that was not overly rich (like tubes can be for me).

So my question is, with the way I've framed things above, are there suggestions for interconnects or equipment that will find that balance for me? I feel like my existing components have potential, but it's just too much of the analytical sound.

As an aside, I tried the Benchmark with my brother's S3 B&W 801s and Audio Research gear, and it wasn't bad at all.
velociti

Showing 3 responses by velociti

velociti OP
8 posts
 
Richlane:
My brother's gear is certainly a bit warmer and darker than my Krell integrated. If I had my way (and funding), I would have gotten a Levinson 383 and called it even. It's a sensational piece of equipment.

Mb9061:
I do like a dry, revealing sound. The fact that I put together a system comprised of components that share these sonic characteristics was a bit shortsighted. With all the raving about the Benchmark, I figured its honesty would be okay with my Krell/Dynaudios. While it's certainly not painful, I'd just like to add some warmth and darkness to make the sound more approachable.

With my taking out loans and starting grad school in three weeks, I figured that dropping a grand on a DAC that I could hopefully use for a long time would be a solid investment, so I don't think upgrading to the Bel Canto DAC3 is a possibility at this point. The recommendations on USB and power cables are probably what I'll wind up doing on my limited budget. I'm just trying to inject the maximum amount of warmth for the fewest dollars, so I'm open to any other suggestions people have...

Thanks for the help thus far!
velociti OP
8 posts
 
I actually bought it from another audiogon'er, so it's not new, though it's in epic shape.

I'm using it directly from my laptop via a USB connection with Shure SE530s and Grado 125s. I only got to spend about 3 hours listening to my actual setup since I've packed away everything to move.

Rich, I think speaker cables and cords are probably the way to go for me. I bought a pair of Audioquest King Cobra XLRs on ebay, so I'll find out how they alter the sound. Forgive my haphazard approach to all of this...being on a budget for the past decade with HS, college and now grad school has limited me in terms of buying the stuff I know that I like. Hopefully once I'm out of school and earning more I can approach this hobby properly!
velociti OP
8 posts
 
Don't get me wrong, by the way. I love my headphones and equipment, all of which I've bought used, or gone gray market for, but I know that had I had the money, I would have purchased the Dynaudio Contour 3.0s rather than 1.8s, the Levinson 383 Integrated and likely the Krell 280cd. One of these days...
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