Benchmark DAC-1 on a Sony DVP S9000ES??

I found the stock 9000ES to be a bit harsh on the highs. The DAC-1 would likely improve upon this. However, the stock 9000ES does not make a great Transport.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer/modder

Have a DVP S9000ES and on RB it is easily surpassed by a twelve year old PS Audio Ultralink 2.

If I were you I will be considering a mod for your
Sony DVP9000es, Modwright did mine,and this player
is so musical.

You might want to be careful about that. I have a DAC-1, which I found had significant problems with SACD players. I had Benchmark on the phone with me trying to figure it out and, at least at all the settings I tried, the Benchmark gave error messages with all the SACD players, and the message only disappeared with a non-SACD player.

As a Chord DAC-64-owner, I have compared it to the Benchmark. The Chord clearly is better, especially in the bass area. However, at 3100 dollars, it should be better. If you can find a used DAC64, it would certainly get your system to another level - unless you want to use the Dac as a preamp, too, which you can do only with the Benchmark or the Grace M902, not with the Chord.