Benchmark DAC-1 vs Apogee Mini DAC

[Dean Landon]

Of the two, which one would you recommend to sit between the Digi 192 and Adam's? I like the fact that the Apogee as a USB option, but at this point, I wouldn't be using it with my laptop.

Sonically, is one better than the other?

Thx
Dean

[matucha]

Ruphus did some testing (subjective, but not shallow) here: miniDAC x DAC1 x LavryBlue

MiniDac is sitting between spdif and ADAM S3A here and I'm happy camper... though I'm going to get Lavry as soon as I get enough money to afford it.

USB is nice, but you have to count with big latency (normal mode - the only workable - has ~1700 samples), and using it, it takes 2 times more CPU than using m-audio delta drivers in Nuendo/CubaseSX.

[Dean Landon]

Matous,

Thanks for the link....

[aberwastone]

I have a rosetta 200 and the bencmark dac1, and I have a/b them both for a week now. I think the benchmark is more musical.

Clearer too.

[duvalle]

the above link is down ... this works:
Finally, the two in the pit: DAC1 and MiniDAC

i am just about to get a Benchmark DAC-1, Apoggee MiniDAC or a Lavry Black AD-10.
they are all in the same price range.

right now i feel like i should buy the Benchmark DAC-1.
but it's a pretty "old product" and i wonder if there is something
new around the corner in this price range??

any ideas? should i get the Benchmark???

[ELI-173]

I have the DAC-1 along with a Mytek 8x192. While the mytek is very close, the DAC-1 just sounds amazing. I don't see how a sound like that could get outdated anytime soon. It just sounds wonderful. I also love listening to CDs through it.

A real pleasure

[duvalle]

thx for reply.
i had the chance to quickly compare the dac1 and the da-10.
so i just ordered a Lavry DA-10 which sounded somewhat better to my ears.

[newlyformedmind]

Originally Posted by matucha

Ruphus did some testing (subjective, but not shallow) here: miniDAC x DAC1 x LavryBlue

MiniDac is sitting between spdif and ADAM S3A here and I'm happy camper... though I'm going to get Lavry as soon as I get enough money to afford it.

USB is nice, but you have to count with big latency (normal mode - the only workable - has ~1700 samples), and using it, it takes 2 times more CPU than using m-audio delta drivers in Nuendo/CubaseSX.

What latency are you talking about? If the Apogee Mini-DAC is running at 24 bit, 44.1- how is there latency in the playback? The Benchmark is quite a bit more than the Apogee and all D/A's differ and will sound different when monitored at a different studio with different D/A's.