I need a DAC1 with Mono and an analog input

[sixtiksix]

So I have a Benchmark DAC-1 and am very happy with it except for the smokie volume knob...gonna clean that some day...and of course I also know about the Cranesong Avocet. The DAC-1 has three, count'em, three digital inputs which is really neat. Of course there is no way to check the mix in mono or switch to an analoguaeue input. Maybe there is a way to mod it.

Does anyone know of another product?

lemme nough

tik

[Kiwiburger]

I love my DAC-1. If you need to check stuff in mono, use your DAW. I use the Cubase Surround 6:2 mixer for this, you can pan both channels to the centre, or better still, choose one of your monitors for true stereo.

(The advantage over using a channel panner is that the gain is compensated for, and you then have a switchable A/B mono option).

Whatever you are mixing in, i'm sure it will have something useable for monoing.

Why do you need an analog input to a DAC? Just to use the headphone amp maybe? If your analog source is line level then you could get a rotary switch box so you can switch between the DAC-1 and other sources.

I see the DAC-1 primarily as a DAC, with the bonus of a great headphone amp. It would be worth it simply as a DAC. You can always buy seperate headphone amps or a patchbay or switch or mixer if you want other routing options.

The Lavry Black is worth a look at at this pricepoint - but still lacks the functions you want. Choosing a converter should be about sound quality first, and functions are peripheral, imo.

[sixtiksix]

Thank you.

You make very good points.

I actually mix with a Yamaha PM2000 which I then A/D with a Cranesong Spider.

So I could actually check in mono by just changing the pan knobs.

hmmm..that may not be a problem, it would just be better with a mono button.

I really agree that I should just focus on using it as a tool to D/A.

I use the 2 channel output of my Spider and feed it into the DAC-1 for monitoring and record simutaneously with the two channels I am sending the signal to, back into the DAW.

I would like to switch between the mix and a CD...

This probably makes no sense....does it?

Routing, routing...

Thank you though, your comments were very helpful.

tik

[Baithak]

I too have the DAC-1 and just got the Grace box for almost the same reasons. The Grace has balanced and unbalanced analog-ins and a USB in which works upto 48kbps. It works like a charm with the Senn 600s but has (its only negative for) only unbalanced outs on RCA.

The sound is terrific - actually I prefer its sound to the Benchmark when all I want to do is listen to music - but sometimes I get the feeling that it does make the recording sound a shade prettier than the DAC-1.

The remote control for volume, independent volume controls for headphones and analog outputs etc. and x-feed for mimicking speakers in headphones are two additional features that I find useful.

Sorry no mono switch.

Baithak