I own and use both the Lavry DA10 and the Benchmark DAC1. They are very close in performance (both are very good). Close enough that you could probably choose between them on the basis of features - and I have evaluated them through two fairly critical systems with accurate active monitor speakers.
Positives for the Benchmark over the Lavry, in order of importance to ME: 1. You can mute the main output on the BM while still having control over the headphone volume (with the Lavry you need to physically turn off the speakers/ amps if you want to do headphone-only monitoring) 2. The BM has standard RCA phono plug outputs as well as XLR outputs - this is useful flexibility meaning it can be used either as a preamp direct to the monitors (with XLR) or via a conventional consumer preamp (over the RCAs) 3. Analog volume control knob on the BM is nicer to interact with than the Lavry's click thing (but less accurate in setting a repeatable level) 4. Two headphone outputs on the BM rather than one on the Lavry can be useful. -------------------------------- Positives for the Lavry over the BM, in order of importance to me: 1. Sound quality is marginally better/ more refined (but you would need a good room and better speakers to tell the difference). 2. Digital volume readout is helpful for mixing and pre-mastering to ensure that I work at consistent volume levels. 3. Front panel display of sample rate has proved useful in eliminating a problem with the digital input setup (some hidden resampling that was going on to a signal leaving a PC). 4. Front panel mono switch can be useful in checking for mono compatibility of mixes (but the stupid inverted polarity state annoys me every time I look over there - why didn't Dan go with pin 2 hot like the rest of the world!). 5. The Lavry doesn't have the armor-piercing blue LED that Benchmark put on the front of their DAC1 (and that I had to cover with a piece of black tape!). ------------------------ Overall, I think the BM probably sits more easily in a domestic hifi environment, whereas the Lavry is a marginally more useful tool in a pro audio environment. There are plenty of pro audio mixing and (especially) mastering studios that use the BM though, so you shouldn't feel that you are being proletarian by going down the BM route. Andrew -- Andrew B. ========================================================= SB3-> Benchmark DAC1 -> ATC CA2 pre -> ATC SCM50ASL active speakers... nice! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Andrew B.'s Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42797 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
