So, this week I got myself a new Benchmark DAC2. Incredibly, it is more revealing than their previous DAC1 (which I had). Prince's recordings are hit and miss...but I have always used the One Nite Alone album, specifically 'A Case of U' as a reference point. I listened to it again on the DAC2 and was once again impressed by the amazing detail it revealed. Put aside the amazing performance of this DAC, and you focus on how amazing Prince's vocals are. He can do so much that his vocals are often overlooked. When you hear what I heard, you are just reminded at what a great great singer he actually is.

Unfortunately, these days, details of this kind are hard to hear. Recordings are so lacking, loudness is mistaken for good sound etc.

I should also add, I listened to 'Comeback' from the Truth album. I heard in the left speaker singing I'd never heard before. It was actually pretty startling as I'd heard that song hundreds of times before.

Incredible stuff, the DAC2 and Prince.

JoeyCococo said:

My headphones work just fine.

Am at work and I just listened to Comeback on the £15 headphones connected to my Mac, sounded pretty awesome. Heard guitars and all sorts through both speakers.

Benchmark DAC2. It is a digital to analogue converter. Every digital playing device has one...usually they are cheap and crappy. External DACs are becoming popular in the Audiophile world and the Benchmark is a crown jewel.

I've got a cheap, very cheap stereo, but it sounds just good to my ears, if i enjoy my music that much; i can only imagine how i would enojy it if had a great quality system.

A Digital>Analogue converter is really just an expensive wank that cashes in on the pretentious audiophile mentality that anologue is better than digital.

TrevorAyer said:

Tell us how screwdriver sounds through you amazing sound gadget

Ha!

bluegangsta said:

JoeyCococo said:

bluegangsta said:

A Digital>Analogue converter is really just an expensive wank that cashes in on the pretentious audiophile mentality that anologue is better than digital.

Silly.

Excellent rebuttel! Thank you for completely challenging my view point and maintaining civil discourse.

bluegangsta said:

Revolution81 said:

bluegangsta said:

A Digital>Analogue converter is really just an expensive wank that cashes in on the pretentious audiophile mentality that anologue is better than digital.

It has nothing to do with analogue vs digital. Every device that plays digital music uses a DAC, u wouldn't hear the music otherwise... Whether an external DAC really improves sound quality is debatable tho. Depends on your device I suppose

Totally agree, Revolution81.

Every device has a DAC...must convert digital to sounds you can hear. As for whether an external dac improves or not...oh yes it does Of course, it is hard to describe ...only hearing it would be proof. However, I just wanted to report back how amazing his vocals are. I have listened to these songs 100s of times but never heard some delicate vocal bits/pieces like I did now.

JoeyCococo said:

bluegangsta said:

A Digital>Analogue converter is really just an expensive wank that cashes in on the pretentious audiophile mentality that anologue is better than digital.

Analog is better than digitial

wtf, some converter..

why is this here, in Prince music & more...??????????

Lock please

mikeyaddict said:

So a DAC is a CD player then? These kids with their pesky devices. What next I ask thee?! A vinyl unicorn?

a DAC is in every digital device, including CD Players. When you see one player going for $200 and another for $2000...it is likely the dac that you pay more for.