If "super clarity and absolute neutrality" is what you are looking for, the more recent Benchmark DACs will provide that. A DAC3B exhibited these characteristics in my system while reviewing various DACs.
Benchmark DAC 3B Vs. Schiit Gungnir Multibit and a question.
I currently am using the Schiit Gungnir Multibit DAC. I’m thinking of switching to the Benchmark DAC 3B. Does anyone have any experience or opinions with regard to both these products? I already have a Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier and would think the DAC would be a good match. The description of the Benchmark DAC says it’s designed to work directly with an amplifier. I’ve been using the Gungnir with a CJ preamp until now. Question is, is there still a benefit to using a good preamp with the Benchmark DAC?
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If "super clarity and absolute neutrality" is what you are looking for, the more recent Benchmark DACs will provide that. A DAC3B exhibited these characteristics in my system while reviewing various DACs. same here w dac2 in my case i would add that 'super clarity' is true... 'absolutely neutrality' maybe/probably so but we don’t really know what that is going from d to a - certainly a leaner brighter sound than most r2r nos or tubed dacs sound characters that have a following - not to say it is not a good unit - i suspect it does (and sounds) exactly as benchmark desires to me, this sound is impressive at the start, very hifi/super-fi, but becomes hard to listen to and live with for long stretches... so many recordings are presented with too much sharpness and sibilance... ymmv as always -- as systems are different, tastes are different, rooms are different |
Not my experience with the DAC3B, no fatigue, and I listen for hours on end in my office with speakers and headphones. The DAC1 was another matter and I got fatigued easily with that old one. However, since I really have nothing else to do with this system I am going to blow some money on the R2R Halo May Level 3 DAC just to see what the differences are. I will b able to compare side by side. |
@yyzsantabarbara You’ll hear a difference -and- if you are more acclimated to the big wide open clear sound of the DAC3B, its possible you might not like the romantic and velvety analog sound of some of the R2R Ladder DACs. I do, helping with some streamed content, particularly for tracks that were not recorded very well, makes it more enjoyable. The end result also has to do with how open and transparent your preamp/amp and speakers and the rest of the gear is - all together. Did you see this former Agon thread, folks talking about the Holo Audio May DAC by chance? Different thoughts about the results... fwiw. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/holo-audio-may-dac And, over at SBAF, some interior pics of the level 3 Holo May DAC, big toroidal transformer and caps inside, nice: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/holo-audio-spring-dac-level-3-kitsune-tuned-... Best of luck on the new R2R Ladder DAC journey. All personal preference of course. Having both types can be fun too. |
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