fra: tips om jumperne. kan gi gratis løft? skal teste i kveld og återkommer.
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue26/benchmark_dac1.htm
Addendum to Benchmark DAC1 Review
Hot Rod time!
After checking around with other Benchmark DAC owners, none report reticent or polite bass. I shouldn't either as I'm running the unit balanced bypassing the volume control. I've even changed to the Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II Balanced interconnects which cost more than the Benchmark! However, it still sounds polite on the bottom and a bit slow and fuzzy overall.
After reading the well written manual, it was obvious that the jumpers added to the output stage when using the balanced outputs were doing more than reducing the volume 20dBs. They were changing the textural cues and the bass response of the entire unit.
I popped the top, found the very small jumpers [what a pain], and moved them to the 0dB position on all four circuit board points as instructed. Dear Benchmark, the jumpers should be delivered in the zero position with the option to move them to the 10, 20, or 30 dB roll off positions if needed. You have to assume minimal smarts on the part of the person who buys a separate DAC these days.
Now we're cooking! The sound has transformed into a powerhouse of digital energy with charm and musicality galore. Using the Alesis or my Pioneer LD/CD/DVD Player, the audio approaches my super references. Moreover, the bass is room shattering with powerful, intense, focused bass going down to the center of the earth. It's now every bit as good as my venerable Theta 5a and equal to my ModWright Sony 999. Now you must make this change on the Benchmark DAC1 if you want this kind of solidity. Also, you will get added focus in the mids and highs with even more sweetness and smoothness on delicate passages. Overall, the DAC1 in 0dB mode is 10% improved in the mids and highs and 25% improved on the bottom frequencies. Its performance is just a bit behind the $3000+ DACs, with tube output stages, in textural cues. This is a gap no all solid state DAC at any price has bridged in my experience. However, the bass focus, layering, and authority is right up there now with the very best DAC brands around!
Conclusion. What a bargin! With the nefarious output jumper adjusted, the Benchmark DAC1 has evolved into a giant killer of the first magnitude. I love it. Add a top transport and quality digital cable, and my oh my it sounds marvelous. Run it balanced for best performance overall. The AES/EBU and SPDIF inputs sound about the same. The volume control works beautifully, but avoid its use for everything except headphones. Benchmark has cooked up one great DAC over the years and it's better than ever. My top buy recommendation!
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue26/benchmark_dac1.htm
Addendum to Benchmark DAC1 Review
Hot Rod time!
After checking around with other Benchmark DAC owners, none report reticent or polite bass. I shouldn't either as I'm running the unit balanced bypassing the volume control. I've even changed to the Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II Balanced interconnects which cost more than the Benchmark! However, it still sounds polite on the bottom and a bit slow and fuzzy overall.
After reading the well written manual, it was obvious that the jumpers added to the output stage when using the balanced outputs were doing more than reducing the volume 20dBs. They were changing the textural cues and the bass response of the entire unit.
I popped the top, found the very small jumpers [what a pain], and moved them to the 0dB position on all four circuit board points as instructed. Dear Benchmark, the jumpers should be delivered in the zero position with the option to move them to the 10, 20, or 30 dB roll off positions if needed. You have to assume minimal smarts on the part of the person who buys a separate DAC these days.
Now we're cooking! The sound has transformed into a powerhouse of digital energy with charm and musicality galore. Using the Alesis or my Pioneer LD/CD/DVD Player, the audio approaches my super references. Moreover, the bass is room shattering with powerful, intense, focused bass going down to the center of the earth. It's now every bit as good as my venerable Theta 5a and equal to my ModWright Sony 999. Now you must make this change on the Benchmark DAC1 if you want this kind of solidity. Also, you will get added focus in the mids and highs with even more sweetness and smoothness on delicate passages. Overall, the DAC1 in 0dB mode is 10% improved in the mids and highs and 25% improved on the bottom frequencies. Its performance is just a bit behind the $3000+ DACs, with tube output stages, in textural cues. This is a gap no all solid state DAC at any price has bridged in my experience. However, the bass focus, layering, and authority is right up there now with the very best DAC brands around!
Conclusion. What a bargin! With the nefarious output jumper adjusted, the Benchmark DAC1 has evolved into a giant killer of the first magnitude. I love it. Add a top transport and quality digital cable, and my oh my it sounds marvelous. Run it balanced for best performance overall. The AES/EBU and SPDIF inputs sound about the same. The volume control works beautifully, but avoid its use for everything except headphones. Benchmark has cooked up one great DAC over the years and it's better than ever. My top buy recommendation!
vel. uansett så testa jeg dette i går og må si meg enig med mannen fra positive feedback. tok 5 min, kosta ingenting. 
