Digital Processor Reviews

Benchmark DAC1 USB D/A processor & headphone amplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital Sources: Ayre C-5xe, Pioneer DV-578A universal players; Logitech (Slim Devices) Transporter WiFi network music player with Apple Mac mini running OSX for media storage; Mark Levinson No.30.6, Bel Canto e.One DAC3, Musical Fidelity X-DAC^V8 D/A processors.
Preamplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 2, Ayre K-5xe, Mark Levinson No.380S.
Power Amplifiers: Mark Levinson No.33H, Parasound Halo JC 1 monoblocks; Boulder 860.
Loudspeakers: Harbeth HL-P3ES2, Sonus Faber Cremona Elipsa, KEF Reference 207/2.
Headphones: Sennheiser HD650.
Cables: Digital: Kimber Illuminations Orchid AES/EBU, AudioQuest OptiLink-5 S/PDIF. Interconnect (balanced): AudioQuest Cheetah, Ayre Signature Series. Speaker: AudioQuest Kilimanjaro. AC: PS Audio Lab, Shunyata Research Anaconda Helix Alpha, manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Target TT-5 equipment racks; Ayre Myrtle Blocks; ASC Tube Traps, RPG Abffusor panels; PS Audio Power Plant 300 at 90Hz (sources only), Audio Power Industries 116 Mk.II & PE-1, APC S-15 AC line conditioners (not power amps). AC power comes from two dedicated 20A circuits, each just 6' from the breaker box, a power amplifier plugged into each.—John Atkinson