Benchmark Dac3

Shadorne from what l've read my guess is you have the right expectations going in.   Keep us posted.   

@mapman

I will comment but chances are my comment may be limited to whether it works or not. The measured performance of their DACs is to such high measured standards that they should sound alike or something is badly wrong.

Benchmark openly disagree with audio pseudoscience so most people here will not be interested in something that doesn’t have all the extra pseudoscience. And unlike Chord (which make great DACs) their product lacks high end aesthetics that telegraph I’m expensive visually.

For example, this is what Benchmark say this about cables,

"NOTE TO HI-FI USERS

If you are a hi-fi user, beware of the pseudo-scientific false claims of overpriced and underperforming hi-fi cables. Avoid these "hi-fi" cables and equip your system with the finest professional cables available. We offer our professional cables in lengths and types that are appropriate for home hi-fi systems. You will save money while getting the very best performance available."

Most readers here will stop at that and not waste time on a product built by engineers for engineers when in their minds everything and especially cables necessarily make a huge difference...

(((I will be very surprised if I can actually hear a difference between all three. Once the new DAC 3 arrives, I will make a quick comparison to ensure it is fully functional and then sell my other two Benchmark DACs.))
Shardone
We had a nice comparison with the Ayre XLR Codex Dac vs Benchmark 2.
All 5 of the folks listening picked the Ayre
2 of the folks owned Benchmark Dacs.
If you can get one to listen to it may be worth your efforts.
before your return privilege w/ BM runs away.
We have shot this unit succesfully up to pretty much anything to 5k
Listen to any RCA recording like Heifetz playing at his best.
the unique filtering choices,discreet analog Double Diamond output stage is a freak show with performance.
Also read the review below and see at the end blog report which i agree with.
Best JohnnyR

https://www.audiostream.com/content/ayre-acoustics-codex-usb-dac-headphone-amp-digital-preamp

Ok Benchmark DAC 3 arrived and I can hear an improvement over DAC 2. Ultra clear with lower noise floor or more black and slightly more dynamics.

I am happier with the DAC3 and it seems more like the revelation when I first heard the DAC1 to my ears.

So my two cents is buy a DAC 1 used cheap or spring for a new DAC 3 but avoid DAC 2 if you like details and clarity and dynamics. The DAC2 seems a little too polite or polished for my taste - so it may be the preferred option to some listeners.

My taste is towards live dynamic sound so again YMMV depending on your ears.

Compared Benchmark DAC2 vs Gustard X20 pro with Singer SU-1.

Really hard to hear any difference at all. Certainly not enough difference to worry about which makes the Gustard at less than half the price a good bargain.

Not had a chance so far to compare Gustard to DAC3 but given the DAC3 was significantly audibly better than the DAC2 the outcome of that shoot out should be in favour of the DAC 3, however cannot say for sure until they are side by side.

What one can say is the Gustard along with the necessary conditioning Singer SU-1 punches above its weight. Theoretically the Benchmark does not need conditioning given all the reviews proving outstanding jitter immunity but Gustard with the Singer is still a lot cheaper. 

A possible drawback of Gustard may be reliability but this could simply be teething issues on the early models. Certainly Benchmark has a well established reputation for reliability. Whether that track record is worth the significant extra cost is only something each individual can decide.