Looking for Better Jitter Reduction in a DAC

Right re: the DAC’s clock quality, lowrider. Especially with asynchronous USB where the reconstruction of incoming data packets is completely reliant on the DAC’s "clock".

However, Jeff Haagenstad, the CEO of Exogal wrote me that the Comet’s unique use of their FPGA topology actually eliminates its sensitivity to incoming timing and other anomalies addressed by reclockers, galvanic isolation, jitter reducers, etc. when I requested his advice re: adding an ISO Regen. Being one who has to try for myself, I have a ISO Regen and Ultracap LPS-1 power supply somewhere between the local PO and my home right now at the mercy of the PO's decision regarding delivery due to nearby flooding from the recent hurricane.

I will tell you that the Comet Plus is the most sensitive component I have owned to cabling, power cords, and vibration/resonance control. It pays back big dividends for careful selection and investment in these areas.

Be patient and a used Comet Plus will show up at your budget. Lots of DAC-rollers out there. ;)

Dave

I appreciate the solid advice, @dlcockrum . And I hope you were able to whether the storm. Watching the devastation on TV was terrible, can't imagine what it was like being there. Best to you and yours.

Thanks lowrider, much appreciated. I just found this and thought it to accurately and truthfully reflect my ownership impressions, including that it could use a bit more heft on the bottom. Nothing is perfect, yet the Comet is excellent IMO.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=133217.msg1412742#msg1412742

Read all the way through especially the bottom of the page.

Like the author, I also cheat by turning up the crossover frequency of my RELs with the Comet. Seems to nullify the DAC’s need for a smidge more oomph. The Curious USB cable and especially the Purist took care of any unwanted excitement on top. 

Dave

Anybody have any experiences with the Benchmark DAC-2 ? I’ve read some positive reviews and was wondering about its sonic characteristics;
e.g., does it have a smooth top-end, how is the imaging?

Benchmark DACs have a smooth but detailed top end. They all have a forward presentation in the mid range. I think this works great for far field listening but might be too forward if you sit close to the speakers. Imaging is excellent if you like a tight precise sound field. The bass is extremely detailed and tangible (but not over emphasized) and this is probably the most noticeable difference versus other DACs.

The DAC3 is similar sounding but the clarity and insane industry leading low noise floor and channel separation is a surprisingly audible improvement provided you use it to DIRECTLY to drive your power amp and speakers. No point in running this device with a preamp that will dumb down the performance.

SNR -128 db
Crosstalk -130 dB
THD +N -119 dB

totally insane specs and I was surprised as I didn’t expect any of this to be audible but it is AS LONG as you don’t simply use it to feed another preamp.