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BitPerfect

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  1. Shaq, i have a Benchmark DAC1 Pre (and had classic DAC1 for several years before that). I've been pushing Apple Lossless via USB from my music server by way of my Mac laptop for some time and agree with you about the excellent quality. Recently, I added a Squeezebox Duet, so I wouldn't need to carry my laptop into the listening room every time I wanted to listen there. This has allowed me to conveniently AB test these two digital inputs, since the DAC1 Pre has multiple digital inputs. Caveat: We did turn off all digital volume attenuation within the Duet and iTunes. Volumes sounded identical to our ears. I didn't level match using a digital multimeter. Experts have advised matching volume levels to within 1/4 dB for truly accurate ABX testing. I conscripted by kids (in their twenties) to aid in blind AB listening across a variety of source material. None of us could perceive any difference in the S/PDIF out of the Duet vs the USB out to the DAC1. I find the convenience of the Duet's Controller so compelling that I'm tempted to use it even in critical listening situations. Of course, if I'm listening to 24/96 source material, I can always fall back to the laptop (the Duet receiver won't pass greater than 24/48kHz). BTW, some folks have advocated spending amounts several times the cost of the Duet system for high-grade linear power supplies to replace the admittedly cheap external switch-mode supply. If you're staying in the digital domain, this would be a waste of money, IMHO, since the internal SM supply will still be part of the path. Extensive modder experiments and measurements on diyaudio.com have born this out.
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