aslan

Thanks for your comments guys, much appreciated. Mark, when i used the words "MUCH BETTER", I was trying to ask whether an async USB connection between computer and DAC would be significantly better than streaming to a NA7004. If the differences are small I would be happier to stream. I really do not expect MUCH BETTER results by buying a US$1,000 DAC. I do expect a boost. Not sure how much of a boost I will get though. I understand that I really need to listen to a DAC in my system to get the synergy right. But unfortunately there are no shops in Hong Kong which stocks my setup and also sells the DACs I am looking to buy. There is also no chance of loaning a DAC or returning it for a refund either. London has much better hifi shops than what we have out here and cheaper too!

Thanks guys, I will certainly try out Suggestion No. 1 from ecwl. 2. & 3. does sound like too much effort and yes the wife will go nuts if there is a laptop parked next to the telly ha ha ... Realhifi makes a very good point that better speaker cables and possibly even new speakers might make more of a difference in my set up. I think my desire for a new DAC is down to having a serious itch! I previously had a big 5.1 setup when I lived in China but now I have moved into a smaller apartment in Hong Kong I had to switch to stereo. I never felt an itch to upgrade my 5.1 system but the urge to upgrade my stereo system is surprisingly tempting. Cheers, Aslan

Thank you very much everyone for sparing your time to give me your thoughts and comments. - The Bel Canto (not available in my part of the world) and the Wyred4Sound DACs are a bit more than what I want to spend. - The Schiit Bifrost looks interesting and they can do mail order to HK which is a plus. I will also check out the MiniMax next week as well. - I already checked with Odyssey Audio and they no longer sell Benchmark which is a shame. I think ecwl has a good point and I do wonder whether a DAC Magic Plus or the Benchmark DAC1 will significantly improve the sound quality of the Marantz NA7004. Or will I need to double my budget in order toget any notable gains? At the moment I am streaming using Twonky on my laptop to the Marant NA7004 which is connected to an ethernet cable. Would I get MUCH better sound quality if I connected my laptop directly to a DAC using async USB? If the difference is minimal I would prefer to just stream to my NA7004. I am afraid I am a bit of a beginner when it comes to computer audio. I am starting to think that I might need to spend a bit more money but the Mrs. will not be best pleased. I will wait for the reviews on the Dacmagic Plus and try to audition it alongside the Benchmark DAC1 before making my mind up. Many thanks, Aslan PS Unfortunately hifi is not cheaper out here eventhough I live near the factories where they make a lot of the stuff.

I am thinking of buying the Benchmark DAC1. I have read many good reviews about it but I am worried that it has been around for quite some time. Is it still a good buy or is it past its sell by date? I really do not want to go above this price point. I am currently living in Hong Kong and the choice of DACs out here is suprisingly low and pretty expensive. Within my budget and what is available out here, I only have the choice out of the following 3 or possibly 4 DACs: Benchmark DAC1 Arcam rDac Cambridge Audio Dacmagic Plus Music Fidelity MDAC (not sure of availability) (The Audiolab Mdac is rediculously expesive out here, the Rega DAC is not available and there are no Peachtree dealers.) I am currently streaming music from my laptop to the Marantz NA7004. I want to give the sound quality a boost. I am pretty tempted by the Benchmark DAC1 but am concerned that it is too old an no longer up to date. Or has it recently been upgraded? Hong Kong is no where near as good as the U.K. or U.S.A. for customer service. There is zero chance of borrowing a unit to take home to test and even less chance in returning it for a refund if do not like it. The Benchmark dealer I found out here has very limited auditioning facilities and I will be pretty much be making a blind purchase. I would be most grateful for your comments or suggestions. Is the DAC1 still a good buy? Or would you suggest that I go for one of the other DACs? Many thanks, Aslan