Set up and Listening:

I set up the DAC1 HDR first as a straight ahead DAC in Calibrated mode.  It was connected to my "secondary" system via my Squeezebox3 network server on TOSlink and my Marantz CD 5003 via a coaxial cable. The analog output of the HDR then went into my Belles preamp. My usual DAC is a Channel Islands Audio VDA-2 with its matching external power supply. First impressions of the DAC1 HDR were extremely good; clean, detailed, and focused sound. I must have read a good dozen reviews of Benchmark products and it was a pleasure to finally hear what all the fuss was about. While listening to FLAC files via the Squeezebox, I was impressed. The same applies when I used the Marantz as a transport.  Images were very nicely defined with good bass weight. Comparing the analog output of the player was a bit tricky, as the Marantz was a bit warmer and the Benchmark was more detailed.

Comparing the Benchmark and the CIA was an exercise in futility. Sometimes I preferred the CIA, sometimes the Benchmark. A tough call. Sonically, the CIA was again, a bit warmer, and the Benchmark was slightly leaner. During my second experience with USB audio, I plugged my little Dell notebook laptop running Windows XP and iTunes into the USB input of the Benchmark with the supplied cable. Long ago, my first experience with USB audio was unimpressive. The sound felt boxy, closed in and not comparable to a CD player. The Benchmark really surprised me here. I was quite amazed at how good the files on the laptop sounded compared to CD equivilent. They were so close that I would probably chalk up differences to slight differences in output level; a definite ear opener for sure. And mind you, I am not a fan of audio directly off a computer.  But it sounded damn good through the Benchmark.

Next up, I used the HDR as a preamplifier and a DAC. I toggled the output switch to Variable, connected the HDR to my Revox power amp, and off I went.  I was pretty blown away at how good the Benchmark functioned in this capacity. It was very dynamic and clean with excellent soundstaging. This was not some thrown together, full function preamplifier for convenience; this was the real thing.  One would do very, very well to make this the centerpiece of a digital setup, connecting a transport and a music server as well. You gain very short signal paths, a dynamic presentation and a small footprint. If you have an analog source component, it can be accommodated. Limitations? Sure, there is only one analog input and no preamp out for use with an active subwoofer. Nitpicking aside, Benchmark has opened up a whole new market by adding remote control capability.

Switching inputs was lightning fast and the digital signals were locked in very quickly. A word of warning: the HDR ran surprisingly warm during my audition. It actually generated more heat than any other component in the rack. I would recommend a decent amount of ventilation around the unit.

After about a week in my bedroom system, I moved the Benchmark into my main room and fed it the digital output of the Marantz SA-11S2 SACD player (reviewed here) via a QED coaxial digital cable. I also fed it the output of the Naim CD5 XS via a custom DH Labs BNC to RCA digital cable. Some of the same things I heard in earlier comparisons were still apparent. The Naim and Marantz via their analog outputs were a bit chunkier and warmer. The Benchmark was slightly leaner, a bit airier, and more detailed. Again, pick your preference.  There was a level of transparency that was quite stunning. Details in studio recordings were laid threadbare and little things like reverb decays, acoustic guitar strums, and delicate cymbal splashes were startling in their clarity. Some of this clarity may seem to some as a bit clinical, but that depends on what camp you are in. Do you want to know exactly what is on the digital file or disc you are listening to or do you prefer it a bit sugar coated and wrapped in a little velvet?

I enjoyed a wide variety of music while evaluating the Benchmark. Older, analog recordings sounded really alive, and somewhat benefited from the HDR's presentation. For example the track "Chime of a City Clock, from the late genius Nick Drake, found on his 2nd album, Bryter Later, sounded like something recorded by a current indie darling, rather than a 40 year old song, which it is. I recently bought the Simon & Garfunkel Complete Columbia Studio Recordings and was amazed at how much sparkle and texture was on those old records. To throw one more oldies example, on a whim I threw on some late 80's to mid 90's Duran Duran. Even with their more synthetic productions, the Benchmark organized everything well, and it was interesting to not that some of Duran's mid period work would sound right at home in the current environment, with the resurgent genre of electro pop.

Moving on to the year 2010, I really enjoyed soul revivalists Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings I Learned the Hardway. This album, ironically, is a new recording masquerading as a classic analog production, tape saturation and all. I really felt I was at the mixing board on this one, with punchy horns and syncopated bass lines really rocking the joint.  Another recent purchase I find my self returning to is Veckatimest, by a very cool band called Grizzly Bear. It is a textured album, recalling a bit of Pink Floyd mixed in with freak folk. The HDR spread the soundstage wide and deep, with excellent focus. On lesser systems, this album can sounded jumbled, as some of the tracks are quite dense with psychedelic vibes. One final musical example is the album of the year for me, Bonfires on the Heath, by the English band The Clientele. The dreamy tracks seemed to float free of the speakers, with a nice balance of obsessive studio detail and real musical involvement.

Conclusion:

Benchmark’s reputation and fast rise into the home audiophile market is justly deserved in my opinion.  Benchmark has responded to the demands of the marketplace, adding features to the DAC1 and maintaining a high standard of quality. I was very impressed with the HDR as a preamp, a USB DAC, and of course, as a DAC. I did not use the HDR as headphone amplifier, as I am not a huge headphone listener, but several other reviewers have raved about it in that capacity.

If accuracy, neutrality, and a very detailed sound is what you seek from your digital music collection, the Benchmark delivers in spades. If you like warmed over, lush, or retro sounding source components, you may want to look elsewhere.  I can conclude by telling you if I was building another system from scratch, it would more than likely include the DAC1 HDR to serve both as linestage and DAC for a music server and transport.  I don’t believe you can do better if you are looking for a made in the USA DAC and preamplifier for $1895.  Buying a separate DAC and remote controlled preamp will without a doubt set you back more, and in my opinion, with no benefit of added performance.  The small footprint, five digital inputs, and even balanced outputs make this an extremely versatile product. 

Q&A with John Siau, of Benchmark Media:

AVRev: Was breaking into the home audiophile market a bit of a surprise for Benchmark Media?
 
The original DAC1 primarily targeted professional applications. It was only available with rack ears, it had no S/PDIF inputs, no USB, and no remote control.  What it did have is excellent jitter attenuation, an analog volume control, an outstanding headphone amplifier, and the ability to directly interface to power amplifiers or powered speakers.  An entire audiophile system can consist of a transport, a DAC1, and powered speakers.  The performance of this minimalist system can be astonishing.
 
From the beginning, we recognized that the DAC1 would have a significant impact on the audiophile community, but we also recognized that we would need to add features to fully meet the needs of some home applications.  Each feature has been added without altering the performance, and without compromising the professional build and durability of the unit.
 
AVRev: The DAC1 HDR is beautifully made, but also seems rugged for such a small component. Was it designed to take a beating?
 
In a professional environment, the DAC1 is a tool.  Tools that break are useless.  Professionals need to be able to transport equipment between studios and venues without fear of equipment failures.  In the home, I would like to think that the DAC1 is sort of like the granite countertops we put in our kitchens -  beautiful, durable, and very functional.  Personally I derive much more enjoyment from good music than from good countertops, but there is something to be said for good food.
 
AVRev: Where do you see digital audio going in the next few years? Is the end of physical media near?  Will consumers be buying their music online in lossless quality?
 
DVD audio has died, and the CD is terminally ill.  The last survivor will be the LP.  Virtually all music purchases will be electronic in the very near future.  The days of the corner record store are probably over.

Special thanks to Rory Hall of Benchmark


Reviewer's Associated Equipment System 1:

• CD Player: Naim CD5 XS with Flatcap 2X, Marantz SA-11S2
• Preamp: Audio Research SP16
• Amplifier: Audio Research VS55
• Speaker: Harbeth Compact 7ES3
• Cables: Kimber/QED/Acoustic Zen (AC)/Transparent (AC)/Element Cable
• Accessories: Symposium Rollerblocks, Shakti Stone, Sound Anchors stands.
  

Reviewers Associated Equipment 2:

• CD Player: Marantz 5003
• Music Server: Squeezebox 3
• DAC:CIA VDA-2 with XPS
• Preamp: Belles Soloist 3
• Amplifier: Revox A722, Belles Soloist 5
• Speaker: Spendor S5e, Spendor S5R
• Cables: Kimber/QED/Transparant/Shunyata(AC)/PS Audio(AC), Pangea Audio, RS Cables, Element Cables. 
• Accessories: Atacama Stands