Benchmark DAC 1 Vs Mytek DAC

[DigitMus]

Not yet, but Nathan Eldred & I plan to compare the Benchmark, Mytek, dcs and lucid. I've already got a DM24 set up to route one S/PDIF in to 4 AES outs, with muting for each AES pair. I'm sure we'll be posting our impressions.

Scott

[Teacher]

y don't you throw in a lynxtwo...

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by Teacher
y don't you throw in a lynxtwo...

Because there are no audio computers where we are doing the comparison, and neither Scott nor I sell or already own a Lynx (not that this bears any reflection on the Lynx in any way). If they had a stand alone hardware DAC then it would be a possibility in this specific listening test. Part of the point is that the Mytek is brand new (probably less than 1% on the forums have even heard it), the Benchmark is still very new and has set a new standard in many people's eyes. I had a small amount of time with the Mytek and it also seemed very good, but Michal had me send back my stock as he said he had a tweak that would yield a 10%-20% improvement. There will be a HEDD 192 in the comparison also.

[littledog]

I would be very interested in the comparisons between the two units, but it would be interesting to throw in the apogee minidac, since it is another relatively new product in the same price range.

[Wiggy Neve Slut]

Nathan..

are you going to make a CD for us? ala 3D or just temtp us with supposition and observatiosn so we have to pull our cheque books out and buy them all!!!!!! ..well it is the sluttyest thing we can do?.. correct!

Looking forward to your obervations, as im thinking of grabbing a DAC1 very soon and will hear one next week.

Cheers
Wiggy

[DigitMus]

Hey Wiggy -
Nathan & I discussed the CD idea (after many glasses of wine) and concluded it would work just fine - as long as the end user has all the converters to play it back from. And a pair of S4As for monitoring.

Scott

[bpark@prorec.co]

Michal from Mytek recently posted this link:

http://www.mytekdigital.com/listening_test.htm


Bill

[dave-G]

Originally posted by DigitMus
Not yet, but Nathan Eldred & I plan to compare the Benchmark, Mytek, dcs and lucid.

When are you guys planning on doing this? Want company? I can bring more monitors, a Z-Systems Detangler, or chips & dip

-N. Invay "Ted" Guest

[lucey]

Originally posted by bpark@prorec.co
Michal from Mytek recently posted this link:

http://www.mytekdigital.com/listening_test.htm


Bill

I wish he would get the gear to market before spending time on this webpage !...

[Jules]

Originally posted by dave-G
Want company? I can bring more monitors, a Z-Systems Detangler, or chips & dip

[DigitMus]

Originally posted by dave-G
When are you guys planning on doing this? Want company? I can bring more monitors, a Z-Systems Detangler, or chips & dip

-N. Invay "Ted" Guest

I think we're covered for monitors, food, drink and digital routing, but more ears are always welcome. As soon as all the converters are in one place (Nathan's - except the HEDD & Lucid, which are mine) we'll schedule it. It seems most convenient to do these things on a Sunday afternoon. Anyone in South or Central Florida should be able to drive here in a couple hours (O.K. 3, if you're in Miami). I'm guessing the 2nd or 3rd week of September.

Scott

[littledog]

And the reason the Apogee MiniDac is not being included is:

•You think it's not in the same class?
•You can't get ahold of one to test?
•You weren't aware of it's existence?
•You're pissed at Apogee and don't want to give them any publicity?

Just from pictures, price, and specs it seems like it would make a great addition to the shoot-out. I know I'm going to get one of those three very soon - it's on my short list with some bass mini-traps from Ethan Weiner and a Chandler preamp. So for extremely selfish reasons I'd like you to compare all three and save me the hassle!!!

[Bernard]

I'm with little dog and for the same selfish reasons., I'd like to see the Mini Dac in there. But even without it the results should be interesting.

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by littledog
And the reason the Apogee MiniDac is not being included is:

•You think it's not in the same class?
•You can't get ahold of one to test?
•You weren't aware of it's existence?
•You're pissed at Apogee and don't want to give them any publicity?

Just from pictures, price, and specs it seems like it would make a great addition to the shoot-out. I know I'm going to get one of those three very soon - it's on my short list with some bass mini-traps from Ethan Weiner and a Chandler preamp. So for extremely selfish reasons I'd like you to compare all three and save me the hassle!!!

LD,

You're in the most saturated area for high end dealers per capita in the whole country (CA doesn't count, I said high end). There's Merc, Odyssey, PAD, Sonic Circus, and PK@GC Pro. None of those places can get you a one on one demo without a "hassle"? I'd think that it would be a hot bed of shootouts.

Really though, in regards to our little shootout, it's not intended to be an all encompassing everything but the kitchen sink to be tested. Nor is it meant to be influencial on a (inter)national level, just a casual listening get together with a few locals. Personally, I don't think that shootouts are valid (or fair) except for the people there in person. We all might have different opinions on what we like, and even if we all for some reason like the same piece, you might think it sounds like utter crap and you'd think we were out of our minds for happening to like it.

Scott and I had our own curiosities, and our focus is on the Benchmark and Mytek compared to a couple he had been using on a daily basis (Lucid and HEDD), and then in comparison to something that is supposed to be the "best", which is the dCS (at least according to Massenberg).

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by DigitMus

Nathan & I discussed the CD idea (after many glasses of wine) and concluded it would work just fine - as long as the end user has all the converters to play it back from. And a pair of S4As for monitoring.

[littledog]

Originally posted by NathanEldred
LD,

You're in the most saturated area for high end dealers per capita in the whole country (CA doesn't count, I said high end). There's Merc, Odyssey, PAD, Sonic Circus, and PK@GC Pro. None of those places can get you a one on one demo without a "hassle"? I'd think that it would be a hot bed of shootouts.

well, i didn't really say i couldn't do my own shoot out. just that my lazy ass preferred you to do it for me. The apogee minidac is so similar to the other two in price, features, size, etc... that it would be the natural "third option" for those looking at the Benchmark and the mytek, so it just seems odd you would would have no interest in including it. that led me to wonder if it was unavailable or you just hadn't thought of it.

sort of like if you were going to go to the trouble of doing a shootout of american made pickup trucks, and you only tested Ford vs. Chevy. no matter what your results, almost everyone is going to wonder: "How would the Dodge compare? Too bad they didn't include it!"

[DigitMus]

Well, I think what happened is our little shoot-out kind of grew when I metioned it in reply to the original post. Nathan and his fiancee are frequent visitors (for food, wine & entertainment), and often bring gear when they come down. It (the D/A comparison) started out because Nathan was getting in the Benchmark and Mytek converters, & I already have the HEDD and the Lucid. If the Apogee was slighted, it was because neither of us had one, or had one on order. The dcs was an afterthought, only because Nathan's a dealer for them and could get a demo unit (of what some "big boys" think is the shiznit).
From my point of view, I kept hearing (or rather, seeing, on various boards) talk about the Benchmark & Mytek, and people wondering how they compared. I haven't come across the same kind of "buzz" regarding the Apogee, so it slipped beneath the radar on this one. If somebody wants to bring one down, I'd be happy to put it in the line-up - but , as this whole enterprise was intended to be rather casual & painless, I don't think either of us is going to go out of our way to make this "all inclusive" or overly complicated. We're doing this on our "down time" if it becomes too much like work, we'll just say "Screw it!" and pop the cork on another bottle, or take a dip in the pool.

Scott

[littledog]

cool. hell, we're all grateful for whatever you guys do and are kind enough to report...

where in sw florida are you guys anyway?

i get to sarasota about twice a year. is that considered sw?

how close are you to there?

[Bob Olhsson]

Be sure to compare wiring direct to the power amps with whatever monitor path you usually use.

[mantovibe]

So....did you guys ever do the A/B? I have been kind of waiting.
Let us know either way. Thanks

[Teacher]

Originally posted by mantovibe
So....did you guys ever do the A/B? I have been kind of waiting.
Let us know either way. Thanks

ditto...

[NathanEldred]

Most likely early next week.

[mantovibe]

.........and???

[littledog]

I'm beginning to think this must have been the inspiration for that Samuel Beckett play...

[DigitMus]

As I posted in another thread, Nathan's been busier than a 1-armed paper hanger (he does run 2 businesses) and I've been travelling (& have come down with the 'flu).

Scott

[ghoost]

Originally posted by littledog
I'm beginning to think this must have been the inspiration for that Samuel Beckett play...

Would that be Godot ....

It is said patience has it's virtues

[drmad69]

It's my understanding that the mytek uses dual PLL's while
the Benchmark and the Lavry use a buffer method. Lavry's buffer method is on their site, dave explains some differences in his
jitter paper. From that, it's my understanding that the buffer
method is better. I just don't know how benchmarks is implamented?

[box]

i am also about to buy either a mytek or a dac1 in a couple weeks or so.

i am mainly posting so i will get those little emails keeping me updated with this thred.

glad you guys are doing this shootout!

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by drmad69
It's my understanding that the mytek uses dual PLL's while
the Benchmark and the Lavry use a buffer method. From that, it's my understanding that the buffer
method is better.

I'll find out which method is used for each. But considering that they both sound fantastic, if they are using different methods of clocking, there is no clear cut "winner" or "superior" way, as proven by the fact that some people prefer one, some prefer the other. I have two customers who preferred one of these over the Lavrey, and guys with great ears like Brad Blackwood and Jay Frigaleto (sp?) prefer the Lavrey over others. Specs and methods of technology will not be a sure way to determine when introducing the all important, and subjective, human factor. One FYI on the Mytek 2 channel D/A, use the internal "superclock", not the one that clocks to the incoming source (i.e. AES/EBU). There is a tiny pushbutton switch on the front panel, that everyone seems to miss.