#41
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If it really sounds as good as you guys and the other reviews say it does, at $2995 I would say this is fantastic value. My curiosity is peaked.
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#42
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Pair it with a tubed preamp with low output impedance and you will enjoy fine results.
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Primary System (Always in flux): Analog Source: Rega RP10 Phono Preamp: Bryston BP2/PS3 Digital Software: Roon, Tidal Streaming Digital Music Server: Melco N1A/2 Digital Sources: Totaldac d1-twelve SE MkII (factory upgraded from MKI) with "live power" 4 output power supply, Oppo UDP-205 Preamplifier: Rogue Audio RP-9 (factory upgraded from RP-7) Amplifier: Vandersteen M5-HPA Speakers: Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT w/IsoAcoustics Gaia 1 feet Cabling: WW Platinum Starlight 7 digital wires, Totaldac Gigafilter USB filter, AQ Sky XLR, AQ Fire RCA Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Oak spades ---> bi-wire spades Power Cables: Esprit PC (for DAC), 2 WW Platinum Electra PC (Preamp/Phono Preamp), AQ NRG10 (Melco N1A/2), AQ Blizzard (Quatro Wood CT built-in subs) Power Conditioning: 2 AQ Niagara 1000, 3 Oyaide R1 outlets Sound Treatments: 23 ASC Tube Traps and 10 Panels |
#43
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Definitely worth getting an eval unit (the 30 day return policy is extremely generous, but Benchmark can do that selling direct). I found that you need at least a week with the unit to really start to hear what it can do (very similar to my experience when listening to Chord DACs for the first time...there is some brain retraining going on)
I just got my permanent one this week. Now I need to decide whether to get a second one to run as mono blocks. |
#44
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I just might! I’m looking to build a value system this time around. Good sound for sane price.
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#45
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Serge,
I really like the Benchmark stuff I've owned and wouldn't hesitate to get their amp. It sounded great driving some ML speakers at RMAF. I think the DAC 3 HGC and this amp would make a great combo and would drive any speakers you choose. Tom
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#46
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As far as preamps and DACs, it's been a while since I've experimented but I've never been a big fan of digital domain volume control or even passive preamps for that matter. The music always seems to be missing body and bloom. I can't say since I've never heard the DAC 3 HGC but I would guess that a tube preamp between a DAC and amp would be more to my liking. |
#47
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Could be - I'm using a C1100 and MC 2301's after the DAC. Sounds fantastic. I've never tried it direct. Since the HGC has an analog input I'm guessing it has an analog volume control - otherwise they'd have to digitize the analog input which I know they are not doing.
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#48
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#49
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I am loving the C1100 MC 2301 combo - McIntosh really has something going with this pair.
The Benchmark I heard @ RMAF 2017 was playing a pair of Martin Logan speakers. I don't remember the model #. They had the amps setup as monoblocs but the guy said running a single amp in Stereo mode sounds the same, just less power. It didn't sound harsh, dry or strident. But I don't know these speakers very well, so YMMV. With a 30 day trial, the risk gets a lot lower. Happy hunting!
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#50
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