Wilson Benesch speakers are often described as being "analytical" and "bright" when in reality they are the opposite. Presumably someone somewhere saw the carbon fibre and high tech and thought "analytical" etc and it stuck. The rest of the morons jumped on the "self proclaimed web expect" bangwaggon.
Similary with the Benchmark DAC1, I suspect. I seriously wonder whether some people comment on kit when they haven't even heard it. Actually strike that. I am certain some people do this.
I haven't heard the earliest incarnations, but the DAC1-HDR (and I would assume the PRE, as it's the same kit without a remote) sounds absolutely sublime.
It is significantly better than the Caiman, which is actually quite a compliment for both the Caiman (that it should be held up as any kind of reference) and the Benchmark (in that it is so much better).
I suggest you have a listen for yourself.