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Benchmark DAC1

Is it possible to hook up an amplifier to this unit and use the headphone gain control as a volume control? I thought I read somewhere you could but just want to clarify. And If one was to purchase this DAC what would be a good transport? Does it even matter? And am I right to assume that for people who want a universal player but are on a limited budget ($1500) that DAC/transport is the best way to go? Thanks
slov_dream
robm321
932 posts
 
The Sony XA777ES is a great SACD player and transport. I got mine used and modded for $1,500.

Good luck
peter_s
1,088 posts
 
Slov_dream: you can definitely use the volume control to make this unit a combined dac, single-input preamp to drive an amplifier. The volume control also controls RCA jacks on the back.

This DAC has a resampling scheme that has very strong jitter reduction, but I'm not sure about the transport requirements. Perhaps just call Benchmark and ask - they are very helpful.
slov_dream OP
24 posts
 
Are there any advantages/disadvantages to using a pre-amplifier? By single input you mean I can only hook up a Transport and nothing else? Thanks
jonahsfo
4 posts
 
Slov,

1) You can indeed use the Benchmark as a pre-amp. There is a rear-mounted switch where you can choose between line-level output or variable output via front-mounted volume control.

2) The DAC1 seems to be pretty tolerant of its transports. I've used it on several sources, and I don't think I can credibly tell the difference between my cheap-ass DVD player, my not-at-all-cheap Simaudio Moon Equinox, and Apple Airport Express (with lossless-encoded files).

3) There is a front-panel switch where you can toggle between the S/PDIF, AES/EBU, and TosLink inputs, so you can have more than one source connected at once.
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