Benchmark Dac3

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.

Can I get an opinion on which DAC is a "better", the Benchmark DAC3 or Schiit Yggdrasil? In my case, I am *not* interested in DSD, MQA or a head phone amp. Just interested in LPCM (all bit depths and sample rates). Better in this context means more "bit perfect" and sounds more analog. Note I currently use an Oppo UDP-205, which has a Sabre DAC chip even more up-to-date than the one used in the DAC3. At face value, should I expect similar sound (Oppo to DAC3)? Thanks in advance. 

I haven't heard either of these DACs but I also have the UDP205 and with the Modwright mods it is in another league.

Hi gdhal,

I just completed a shootout of three good dacs: Hegel HD-12, Exogal Comet Plus, and ModWright Elyse ($7K). The difference in the sound character of the three is dramatic. Every DAC I have heard has a pervasive and unique sound character. How someone could fail to discern the audible differences between DACs from different manufacturers is beyond me. I’ll just leave that thought there for your consideration in judging the quality of advice you receive.

My experience is that a great combination of preamp/amp/speaker will accurately reproduce the sound character of the source, yet careful matching of source to the foundation equipment can accentuate positive synergies and/or moderate imperfect tendencies of either or both with proper matching. To the contrary, placing a source component with a foundation system that strongly shares the same tendencies, however slight, toward brightness, forwardness, wooliness, or other undesirable sonic characteristics can make for a very unpleasant situation over time.

gdhal, what is the existing sound character of your system? What do you wish to accentuate and what do you wish it to do better? What do trustworthy owners and reviewers with systems of similar sound character to yours say is the sound character of those two dacs and what do they say that each does well and not as well? Which one’s unique sound character will best synergize with your system without accentuating undesirable tendencies of your existing system?

I realize these things are the nature of your question, but maybe the above thoughts can be clarify your journey somewhat.

Dave