Anything better than a Benchmark DAC1 HDR

[Voltron]

A buddy is looking to buy one of these for himself and I was wondering if there were any other units that cover the same features any better. The DAC1 is a DAC, preamp, headphone amp, and has a remote control. He would be replacing a larger preamp and likes the smaller form factor of the DAC1 all-in-one. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[Dusty Chalk]

Apogee Mini-DAC? No remote? Firewire is an option.

Musical Fidelity X-Can V8p? Again, no remote (this time, I'm sure). Comes with USB, though, but no Toslink.

Headroom something? The one that comes with the speakers?

[luvdunhill]

Peachtree something?

[deepak]

Lavry DA11

[Voltron]

Peachtree something might make some sense although I have zero experience with their headphone amp output. Only HR offers something close to all the features -- Desktop Amp with dac -- but it is not remote controlled and I am done with HR given its Tyll-free status.

EDIT: I suggested the DA11 as an option because I think it sounds better but it has no preamp capability.

[deepak]

Peachtree something might make some sense although I have zero experience with their headphone amp output. Only HR offers something close to all the features -- Desktop Amp with dac -- but it is not remote controlled and I am done with HR given its Tyll-free status.

EDIT: I suggested the DA11 as an option because I think it sounds better but it has no preamp capability.

Oh interesting, I thought it had a digital attenuator like the DA10

[Voltron]

I'm sure it does, but it has no analog inputs.

[Torpedo]

DA-11 is not a preamp in the sense it doesn't have other inputs which it can choose and control volume from. However it has a volume control and regulates output voltage in 56 steps for the line output and headphone output too.

[Asr]

The Grace Design M903 looks like it covers all the mentioned features, plus it has 24/96 async USB.

[Voltron]

The Grace looks very good, and the only odd bit is the fact that the balanced input -- a plus over the DAC1 -- is XLR, while the balanced output is TRS given its pro usage. Great suggestion!

[tyrion]

I like the Peachtree Nova but have only heard it as a speaker amp. I've never tried the headphone out.

[Aura]

I like the Peachtree Nova but have only heard it as a speaker amp. I've never tried the headphone out.

x2

It is a sexy unit. Maybe ask Tyler (Sherwood) or Todd about the 1/4th out?

[mrarroyo]

Although significantly more expensive the RWA Isabella with all the bells and whistles meets the criteria.

[jp11801]

Metric Halo LIO 8

[fishski13]

Peachtree something might make some sense although I have zero experience with their headphone amp output. Only HR offers something close to all the features -- Desktop Amp with dac -- but it is not remote controlled and I am done with HR given its Tyll-free status.

EDIT: I suggested the DA11 as an option because I think it sounds better but it has no preamp capability.

bold words: WTF does this mean? i don't know the story.

i've owned my DAC1 for a few years now, and while i prefer my y2 for sonics, i think the DAC1 is an excellent performer and offers a lot for very little $$$ when partnered with sympathetic gears (read: warm/dark/juicy).

edit: forget it, big brain fart re: Tyll

[swt61]

Long story short...They fucked over Tyll, and now everyone is jumping ship. Look for full implosion before long.

[Yikes]

I haven't seen Tyll writing that they "Fucked" him over. That being said HR just ain't the same without him, so I'm pretty much done with them as well.

[grawk]

the owner doesn't choose to step down for no reason...

[fishski13]

ok, so i guess i was mistaken then - i thought it was a more amiable separation.

Yikes: love the first paragraph of your sig. so true. i can't wait for the day that we see a non-Corporatist holding the high office. also, the EU is getting totally fucked by Ireland - the one's who give corporate tax shelters at a paltry 12.5%. the Celtic Tiger is beyond dead.

[The Monkey]

Ireland likes to fuck.

[jinp6301]

are you coming on to me?

[Fitz]

No silly, Dinny is the straight Fitz(patrick), I'm the gay one.

[The Monkey]

[fishski13]

i think i just got blindsided.

[swt61]

Sometimes that's the only way us gay guys can get some.