Benchmark - DAC-1 -HDR - Preamplifier / DAC / Headphone Amp BLACK

• IR remote control with adjustable 'Dim'and 'Soft-Mute'High-Dynamic Range Volume Control with custom-built, motor-driven Alps volume potSix Stereo Inputs: Analog RCA, USB,TOSLINK optical, and three digital coaxialUtilizes 24-bit, 192-kHz DAC1 D/A conversion systemBenchmark's phase-accurate UltraLock technology provides total jitter immunityAdvancedUSB computer audio interface for native 24-bit / 96-kHz USB audioCompatible with Windows Vista/XP/2000 and Mac OS X without driver installationState-of

Replacing a Conrad-Johnson tubed DAC with something I couldn't physically listen to scared me. I have purchased on-line before but never an audio component. I've loved the CJ for years but the few remaining record labels are making noises about dropping CD production and it only supports 44.1/16 so perhaps it was time to go.

After subscribing to Stereophile for decades I have noticed a recent trend that virtually every DAC they review is compared to the writer's Benchmark DAC1. Some are better, some are different and some just don't compare, but they're all compared to the Benchmark. So if every Stereophile contributor owns a DAC1 maybe I should just buy a DAC1?

A call to Benchmark suggested that I retire my trusty CJ SC-26 pre-amp and just go with the HDR. The reasoning was that the extra interconnect and redundant pre-amp would be detrimental to the sound versus just using the HDR. They also told me, confirmed by Stereophile, that the DAC1 PRE and DAC1 HDR do sound better than the straight DAC1. I purchsed direct from Benchmark as I figured that nothing was good enough to satisfy me and I would be taking advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee. Nope.

Yipes is this thing good. Clean, fast, tight, smooth, uber-imaging, yada yada yada. It's fed by a Logitech Squeezebox Touch (from Amazon). Really.

Buy one. Now.