comments on benchmark dac vs rotel vs creative

[mazurek]

I just got a benchmark dac a couple of minutes ago. I thought it was somewhat amusing, subjectively it sounds closer to the creative labs cheap external usb dac than the rotel 1056 dac (after volume matched). I like the creative labs analog better than the rotel dac (the rotel dac sounds fuller, but is more annoying). The benchmark seems slightly better than the creative, but its real hard to tell the difference so far. I'll have to listen to more recordings, but I thought it was amusing that I had the easiest time differentiating the rotel sound.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I just got a benchmark dac a couple of minutes ago. I thought it was somewhat amusing, subjectively it sounds closer to the creative labs cheap external usb dac than the rotel 1056 dac (after volume matched). I like the creative labs analog better than the rotel dac (the rotel dac sounds fuller, but is more annoying). The benchmark seems slightly better than the creative, but its real hard to tell the difference so far. I'll have to listen to more recordings, but I thought it was amusing that I had the easiest time differentiating the rotel sound.

How did you level match? Any bias controls?

 

[jaxvon]

Dude mtry, give it a rest.

 

[mazurek]

How did you level match? Any bias controls?

with a radioshack spl meter, and a test tone.

of course I'm biased, the benchmark cost a lot of money, and the receiver has been giving me small problems.

 

[Privateer]

What speakers are you running?

 

[mazurek]

Marting Logan Mosaics
connected to high level outputs of rotel 1056

 

[Privateer]

Do you run the RSX-1056?

 

[mazurek]

yes, it is connected as follows.

Computer -> Creative Labs usb thing

then either
analog outs->analog bypass mode on rsx 1056
spdif coax->dac -> analog bybass mode on rsx 1056
spdif coax->rsx 1056 in pcm mode

the speakers are hooked up with 10 gage sound king to the outputs of the rotel.

The rotel 1056 seems to have a higher noise floor when using its dac, and has a slightly fuller sound. but again, the benchmark and creative have a less full, but more similar sound.

 

[mtrycrafts]

with a radioshack spl meter, and a test tone.

of course I'm biased, the benchmark cost a lot of money, and the receiver has been giving me small problems.

Wasn't sure how you level matched it, thanks. Not a very accurate method and the level difference may be audibly different

 

[mtrycrafts]

Dude mtry, give it a rest.

I had a week off, well rested, thanks.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

The Benchmark is a pro unit with exceedingly low distortion and is generally darn near flawless; it's about as close to the proverbial "straight wire" as any gear can come. I seriously doubt that it is degrading the sound. I also doubt that the other units, even if they don't measure as well, are coloring the sound either.

So, sorry, but I tend to agree with Mtry. Small differences in level (down to 0.1dB!) can play tricks on you. That's a fact well established by research. But if you still don't like it, I wouldn't mind having a Benchmark.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The Benchmark is a pro unit with exceedingly low distortion and is generally darn near flawless; it's about as close to the proverbial "straight wire" as any gear can come. I seriously doubt that it is degrading the sound. I also doubt that the other units, even if they don't measure as well, are coloring the sound either.

So, sorry, but I tend to agree with Mtry. Small differences in level (down to 0.1dB!) can play tricks on you. That's a fact well established by research. But if you still don't like it, I wouldn't mind having a Benchmark.

I thought that DAC name sounded familiar
The Audio Critic, on line has a review. WOW. As you said, it is a wire, unbeliavable performance. That is what you want in pro gear and studios.
It is wasted on consumers

 

[mazurek]

Hehe, I've grown a liking for it over the past few days. I'm sorry, I love your forums, but I don't think I can donate it at this time. --I never meant to say I didn't like it, just that I rank things as (benchmark > creative > rotel) in my setup.-- I just got a behringer digital equalizer, and hooked that between the computer and the dac. I'm hoping its handy measurement microphone will help to give me the flattest most accurate awesomest speakers ever.

Now I just need to figure out how to integrate a subwoofer into the mess without messing everything up.