Benchmark Dac1 - next step recommendations please

Just added some DH Labs ceramic cones under the DAC1, the large size. After trying a few other things I'm surprised by the improvement of the DH cones. Following the instructions on their web site yielded the best results with a firmer, better defined base and lower mid range.

You can actually have your cake and eat it too. With the I2S interface that Empirical puts on the DAC-1, you can add a USB to I2S converter, or a Sonos, Olive or Squeezebox reclocked through a Pace-Car reclocker. This gives you the most flexibility as well as the lowest jitter. No upsampling either.

If you go with the DAC-1 USB (which is a good product dont get me wrong), you will always go through the upsampler chip and you will have USB as your computer audio interface.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve,
I am a couple of months away from going to an all computer system. I am remodeling my house so i can run wires,etc as needed. What system would you recommend and should i run usb cables under the floor. Budget is $3000.

Streetdaddy - I have them and use them all, Squeezebox, Sonos, Off-Ramp USB converters. I like the Sonos myself. The output is very jittery stock however, so I highly recommend a Pace-Car reclocker. The first Zone player of Sonos needs a network drop. The additional ones can be wireless. There is no sound degradation with either. Do the demo at:

http://www.sonos.com

If you want the very best that Computer Audio can offer, then go with an I2S interface on the DAC of your choice rather than S/PDIF.
DAC's that have I2S:
Benchmark DAC-1, Northstar 192, Audio Logic, Spoiler, and the Perpetual P3A. The bonus with the DAC-1 is that it has a built-in preamp and balanced outs, however I highly recommend mods to it. You can drive your amps directly, but it is not remote controlled.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio