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Thread: Which DAC you would choose? naim,benchmark or cyrus |
    
Bronze Member Username: Jeffbucks
Post Number: 31
Registered: Oct-06
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| Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 02:14 pm: |
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Hi,
I'm intending to purchase a good DAC for my hall system which is a CARY 11a processor & Cinema 5 amp +sonos streaming device, my choices so far have been:
1. Benchmark dac1-pre
2. Naim DAC
3. Cyrus dac-x+
and use the balance outputs of DACs. Since maybe later I want to upgrade my system I intend to get a good one. what do you think about mentioned dacs? Do you suggest sth else or have you experienced these three?
I wanted to get a desent cd player but thought there is no difference since I can play even high bit rate files with a good dac.
Please let me know your experiences.
Best Regards |
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Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 3542
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 06:20 pm: |
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Bryston BDA-1. Best DAC I've heard by far. Balanced outs, the most inputs, great build quality, and on and on. The only drawback is that the USB inupt won't do hi-rez if that's something you'll need/want. As revealing and transparent as it is, it even somehow makes horrible recordings sound acceptable. Somehow it sounds very analog.
I haven't heard the Naim DAC. I'm a big fan of how they do things, and I highly doubt Naim would put out a bad product. No balanced outputs that I know of. It will however get a digital signal out of an iPod like the Wadia iTransport does, if that's important.
The Benchmark is very good. A touch dry and clinical, but very good. It'll make bad recordings sound horrendous.
I'm not a fan of Cyrus in general. They've got their fans, and for good reason, but its not for me.
If you've got money for the Naim ($3500), the BDA-1 at $2k is a must audition IMO. |
Platinum Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 11108
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 06:50 pm: |
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I've not listened to the DAC's you've listed but just knowing their house sound I'm willing to wager that I would like the Naim the best. |
Silver Member Username: Hawkbilly
Nova Scotia
Canada
Post Number: 727
Registered: Jul-07
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| Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 06:25 am: |
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http://www.usbdacs.com/Products/Products.html
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/computer-audiophile-suggested-hardware-list
Not recommendations, just information. |
Bronze Member Username: Jeffbucks
Post Number: 33
Registered: Oct-06
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| Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 02:00 pm: |
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Thanks guys, I read good reviews about BDA-1, I'm going to have an audition and also wait for Naim to see how it sounds. any ideas when it will be out? |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 3555
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 05:44 pm: |
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I believe the Naim DAC has already been released. Not sure about how many are available to audition in the States. Naim doesn't mass produce anything.
A lot of Bryston dealers don't have a BDA-1 on their shelves. Its been out for over a year now, and they're on this continent. If you can't hear a BDA-1, the BCD-1 sounds identical. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 3556
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 05:49 pm: |
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I also hear very good things about the Audio Research DAC7. Its about $3500, if that's an option. |
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