Benchmark DAC2 HGC - Black - Reference Stereo Preamplifier, PCM and DSD D/A Converter, Headphone Amp, Asynchronous USB

A very good DAC with balance output and pre amp. I hook it up directly to the power amp. It sounded just as good as the Proceed AVP. However if you already have a pre-amp it is not worth the extra to get this and end up with complicated volume control and an extra remote. The sound quality is may be a hair better than the V90 DAC, I can tell the different when switching between them. I probably can't tell the different if it is a blind test between the V90 and the DAC2. I can surely tell the different on the price tag! If you don't have a high quality pre amp, this is defiantly the one to get, consider that any good quality preamp is almost 2000 and up.

DAC2 surpassed my expectations. It is much better than an older high end DAC that I have which did not have an USB interface.I took it for comparison to another one which is at least 8 times more expensive and although it could not match the other one's performance, his own has gained the respect of those who attend the test.It presents a detailed and full sound, without the "digital" sound of earlier DACs, generally speaking.Crispy highs, smoother than previous model are a plus.A bargain for what it offers.

I use the Benchmark DAC2 to listen to CD's. The unit is fed by an optical input from a DVD player, and outputs to a preamp, and then an amplifier. I've used several DVD players, such an OPPO BDP-105, and CD players to play CD's, and this unit does the best job. My system is quite high resolution, and is in a sound treated media room, so small differences in performance are noticeable.The DAC2 also has an excellent design from a technical standpoint. It uses the best ESS DAC chip, plus the best op amps and sample rate converter from Texas Instruments. Benchmark has taken these pieces and others, combined with some excellent software (firmware) to provide a truly excellent piece of equipment. The bench tests in the Stereophile review of the unit, and those obtainable through the British Hi-Fi News website demonstrate the excellence of the design.I haven't used the DAC2 as a preamp to directly drive power amplifiers, due the layout of my system, but I'm sure that would provide excellent results.

Roughly less than two years ago I bough this device based on its good reputation in the field and feedback from previously buyers. Unfortunately my one has a relative bad quality . I had two issues and returned the DAC for repair service. The quality of this device likes the cars made in the USA. Even though the sound quality is claimed to be good, I'd rather get a much more reliable DAC from other brands with less $$.

OMG. That's all I can say. I'm not a techie. I don't speak audiophile-geek. But I have a really good set of ears. And because I listen to classical music and haven't been willing to drop coin on audio equipment because I've considered it to be frivolity, well, I haven't been listening to much of anything because the sound of mediocre solid state just killed it for me.Before springing for this, I tried three highly regarded "affordable" options and it was just more of the same. So I went for the Hail Mary. I've had this running for all of 45 minutes and all I can say is "Hail Mary." Holy cow. As I write this I'm listening to recording of Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by James Levine and...um...words are failing me here. The transparency, effortless dynamic range,the UTTER AND COMPLETE ABSENCE OF JITTER (and I have incredibly jitter-sensitive ears).To my way of thinking, yes, it's expensive, but worth every penny. And more.

I love this DAC, great quality, great sound, lots of I/O, the remote control is a great featureAs an Audio Engineer, I love the spec sheet and measurement data as well.A little pricey, but the quality an features make it a great buy.I also wanted an analog volume control at the last stage in order to control unwanted loud start up sounds that could damage my amplifier and speakers and this did the trick.

I had been waiting for a while to buy my DAC2. Presonus, Musical Fidelity M1, Camelot just a few of my previous friends. In my studio I use Swiss Pyramyx converters which cost 3 times the Benchmark. At the price, none come even close to the Benchmark. Brilliant studio kit that works at home. Articulate, never harsh, maybe even a bit forgiving. Amazing piece of equipment and portable! Just love it. :)

The audio hobby is full of marginal products that charge a premium for expensive "audio bling" , fancy design and over the top case work. Stick to products that deliver performance rather than high priced, so called, prestige. Benchmark delivers with the DAC2 HGC. I would be surprised if any other DAC can substantially outperform it, other than very subtle subjective differences, at any price.