There was a test of several DACs on both computer audio and CDs a couple of years ago in HIFICRITIC. The Benchmark was beaten fairly decisively by the MF V-DAC. I use one myself which I purchased after reading the review and have been very happy with it; I do not use computer audio so can't comment on that part. Copies of the review can be purchased on their web site; they don't take ads so not much is on line, I don't know if it is on the MF web site.
Halide Design - MF X-DAC v3, vs Benchmark DAC?
I'm wanting to take the plunge and move from CDs to a Mac Mini-based digital front end.
Current system includes Musical Fidelity X-Ray V3 CD, A5.5 integrated amp, X-DAC V3, X10 V3, X-Can V3, Focal Profile 928 spkrs.
A year or two back, I tried outputting Apple lossless files from a MacBook Pro via an Airport Express to the Toslink input of the X-DAC. The results were less than impressive - quality was much lower than CD from the X-Ray V3 through the same DAC.
What I want to do is run high-res (at present, CD quality, burned from CD) files from a new Mac Mini into the system. But, quality has to be equal to CD (i.e., well above the level of the Airport Express/X-DAC connection). Don't have the Mac Mini yet, it would be bought specifically for this use.
Weighing several options...
1. USB output from Mac Mini to the existing MF X-DAC V3 via a Halide Design Bridge, USB to RCA (the X-DAC V3 has Toslink and RCA inputs; Toslink currently used for a BluRay player; RCA currently used for X-Ray CD). This means buying the Halide Design bridge, and hoping it will work well with existing DAC.
2. USB output from Mac Mini to a new DAC -- either a Benchmark USB DAC (this would also negate the need for the X-Can V3; so I'd sell the X-DAC and X-Can); or the new MF DAC-1; or another high quality DAC. It would be good to have a DAC with several switchable inputs, hence the appeal of the Benchmark. But, this route means buying a new DAC and hoping it will do the job.
Anyone have experience with similar set-ups; or any related advice?
Many thanks,
Keith
Current system includes Musical Fidelity X-Ray V3 CD, A5.5 integrated amp, X-DAC V3, X10 V3, X-Can V3, Focal Profile 928 spkrs.
A year or two back, I tried outputting Apple lossless files from a MacBook Pro via an Airport Express to the Toslink input of the X-DAC. The results were less than impressive - quality was much lower than CD from the X-Ray V3 through the same DAC.
What I want to do is run high-res (at present, CD quality, burned from CD) files from a new Mac Mini into the system. But, quality has to be equal to CD (i.e., well above the level of the Airport Express/X-DAC connection). Don't have the Mac Mini yet, it would be bought specifically for this use.
Weighing several options...
1. USB output from Mac Mini to the existing MF X-DAC V3 via a Halide Design Bridge, USB to RCA (the X-DAC V3 has Toslink and RCA inputs; Toslink currently used for a BluRay player; RCA currently used for X-Ray CD). This means buying the Halide Design bridge, and hoping it will work well with existing DAC.
2. USB output from Mac Mini to a new DAC -- either a Benchmark USB DAC (this would also negate the need for the X-Can V3; so I'd sell the X-DAC and X-Can); or the new MF DAC-1; or another high quality DAC. It would be good to have a DAC with several switchable inputs, hence the appeal of the Benchmark. But, this route means buying a new DAC and hoping it will do the job.
Anyone have experience with similar set-ups; or any related advice?
Many thanks,
Keith
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