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[Mr_Sukebe]

Depends upon your system and personal preferences.
I've heard a DAC1 in my own system, and really didn't get on with it. Detailed yes, but VERY dry with it. Didn't gel at all with the rest of my kit.

I now use a Meridian 568.2 processor, which sounds better than most DACs I've heard in stereo, and then adds a whole bunch of AV modes. Unfortunately I've not used a Meridian stereo DAC since I owned a 203, so can only guess at it's ability. Personally I'd go with the Meridian and see what you think, you can always re-sell it for what you've paid for it. Option B, buy both and sell whichever one you like the least.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Wigwam is a good resource with some very knowledgeable people on there. I visit it regularly.
The benchmark is meant to have a re-clock system on it, and I would have expected it to operate on both of it's SPDIF inputs. Having said that, I've used DACs with re-clocking, and there are still sonic differences (IMO) between digital transports.

I did read a recent bakeoff from a chap who'd taken a heavily modded PC/soundcard combo and compared it to other sources (e.g. Mac, SB3 etc). The PC did very well, but it was far from standard.

Bearing in mind your options and my guess on your funding, here's a few options:
1. Stuff a DAC on your PC. The PC WILL be a limiting factor because of jitter. You could at a later date upgrade the transport to resolve.
2. Buy a DAC and a transport like the SB Touch. The Touch has a distinctly "ok" analogue output that's comparable to a similarly priced CDP. However, the digital output is rather special and is not far adrift from the SB Transporter. I'm guessing that updating the PSU on the Touch would cut most of those differences.
3. Buy an all in one "serious level" streamer. My immediate thought would be a s/h SB+. They can be had for under £500, and you'd need a fairly serious DAC on the backend of a Touch to outperform one. Above that, you'd need to look at something like a Linn DS Akurate, but they're over £2k s/h.

Hope that helps.

 

[9designs2]

I'd say free yourself from the PC..... So go the SB Touch / Linn DS Streamer (Don't forget the sneaky version that is stream + amp for less then 1K) and store the music on a NAS drive.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

The SB+ is a modded SB3 knocked up by a chap called Patrick Dixon, who seems to be a rather talented audio engineer. New they retail for £1k and are good value against the competition. If you hunt around, it is possible to find them for sensible prices s/h.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Well the main reason for the PC, is that its my main listening position and where i'm planning on doing some studio work.
Where can i find this SB+/Patrick dixon info then?

Try Wigwam, Pinkfish etc. There's not a huge amount around, but if you wait for one, you'll get one.