DAC Advice - Benchmark DAC 3

Thanks everyone for your super helpful input.  

I remember being at a trade show a long time ago and everyone was crowded around the DAC 1.   I think that was the product that really made DAC / Headphone amp combos a huge segment of HiFi

I had DAC 3 HGC. Running it into my amplifier direct did not sound nearly as good as running it into my preamp first (both Pass Labs). I don’t know how it will integrate with other benchmark pieces, I suspect it will be on. However in my experience there is no substitute for a good active linestage.

Yes the analog inputs are a nice feature and overall it’s a very nice DAC. I enjoyed while I had it. 

@decooney Interesting observation. It is either preference or lack of synergy with the gear you were using. 

The DAC3B is a little 'hot' on top. I can tell that by listening on my uber revealing SR1a headphone, It is fatiguing on that gear with 2-channel. That is with the LA4 preamp and CODA 07x preamp. No issue with low volume though.

However, put the DAC3B on my tube RAAL VM-1a headphone amp and the sound is magic. The headphone amp is sort of an integrated amp in the sense it has preamp and amp built-in.

@yyzsantabarbara "The DAC3 with volume is not great at low volume".

Super Interesting you mention that point. I had a DAC3B here for a few weeks, and while it had a nice dark and quiet background, huge sound stage, I just could not get use to the sound of it, and low-volume listening (even with my own separate preamp that does well with other DACs just fine), the DAC3B never quite gel’d with me. Was kinda shocked.  Could never figure out why. Maybe just preference. Who knows. I called Benchmark and asked them many questions, and if it needed more run in time. They said no, and were seemingly offended at my observations of what sounded like plain sound to me. Weird.

Its a super high quality very well made unit. I reluctantly returned the unit. Wanted to keep it, argh. Tested fine too, no issues with the unit.

I went back to my NOS R2R ladder dac with more distortion and engaging musicality. It was like "ahhh the music is back", there it is. Still wondering what else I could have tried with DAC3B. Maybe someday I’ll give it a do-over demo, to see what I missed.

I made a mistake. I should have stated. I sold a $7.5K PREAMP to get another LA4 preamp. I never go DAC direct to amp when the LA4 to amp is better (for $2.5K)

Sorry, had my head where the sun don't shine, my dac is the Benchmark DAC 3 DX, not the HG I reported it as.

The Old Fart

Do not buy the DAC if you want to use as a volume control. Get the DAC3B (no volume control) and buy the LA4 preamp (or HPA4). The LA4 will make the DAC sound better. That seems weird to add more signal path for cleaner sound but it will work like that with this ultra clean preamp.

I sold a $7.5K DAC so that I can buy a 2nd LA4 preamp for my new Livingroom system. If you want a clean sound the LA4 will deliver. The DAC3 with volume is not great at low volume.

My office system is LA4 and 2 AHB2's. I also have a DAC3B but I have that on my tube headphone amp. I use a Musetec 005 DAC with the LA4 + AHB2. I have a second Musetec 005 DAC that I will pair with my second LA4 preamp for my new Livingroom system. I am sold on that combo.

I do like the all Benchmark stack DAC3B | LA4 | AHB2, but the very smooth Musetec 005 is a nice touch over the slightly brighter DAC3B.

I decided to update my DAC 1 PRE, and since I don't buy new, I picked up a DAC 3 HG, which I'm enjoying very much.

It’s a perfect choice.  Just do it!

You'll want the Benchmark DAC3 since it outputs +24 dBu from the balanced connection. This means you can use the AHB2 in low gain, which in turn reduces noise and maximizes the performance of the AHB2.

I've used the DAC3 HGC with the AHB2 and it sounds phenomenal. I currently have the HPA4 with a DAC3 B in my system. The HPA4 is a little more convenient because I can easily set the volume between movies and music due to the discrete volume control / display. The DAC3 HGC is now part of a headphone system on my desk.

If you like the neutral sound of Benchmark DAC3 you should check out a couple other FPGA DACs - Audiobyte Hydravox and TEAC UD-701N. I like the TEAC, it is neutral with just a touch of sweetness that prevents it from sounding clinical.