I was fortunate to run into the Antelope Zodiac at CES 2012, and this unit sounds several orders of magnitude better than the Benchmark DAC1 Pre, but competes with it in price. I've now had both units in my system for careful listening. The Zodiac is so articulate and sweet sounding that I'm finally able to retire my beloved but failing Melos Maestro Preamp, and improve upon it. That is no small compliment! I have always loved a tube somewhere in my system for the most natural sound possible