Benchmark DAC 3B Vs. Schiit Gungnir Multibit and a question.

@rvpiano, I received my DAC3 HGC last week. There is nothing lean about this DAC. Very full sounding throughout the audio spectrum. I was a little concerned about many folks writing about how “bright” the Sabre DAC chip can be. Not so for my system. It is extremely clear, detailed and smooth. I can listen for hours and no fatigue. Let’s not forget about the bass...OH the bass!!! The best I have heard in my system. Tight and detailed. I actually had to redial in some of my sub settings and now it’s just bliss.

I stream via a Bluesound Node 2i into the DAC 3 HGC and out to a Luxman LX-380 tubed integrated amplifier. My speakers are Paradigm Prestige 95F. I plan to eventually upgrade my streamer and cables/interconnects. I have been very happy with this DAC so far. It outperforms the DAC in the Node 2i by a significant margin.

I look forward to your impressions. Happy listening!

I forgot if the DAC3B required much burn-in but the AHB2 amp required hardly any hours to sound it's best. I have had 2 units to compare.

There are 2 things I did to make my DAC3B sound like a superstar. The first was to buy the Benchmark HPA4/LA4 preamp. A very nice improvement with the awesome preamps volume control.

The second thing I finished yesterday is described in the thread that I updated with a post.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/room-correction-roon-rew-room-eq-wizard

I am shocked at the improvements. It cost me $700 + $100 for a microphone. 

I am just laughing at the improvements. Heck, why spend more on a DAC this is end game stuff. 

I forgot if the DAC3B required much burn-in but the AHB2 amp required hardly any hours to sound it’s best. I have had 2 units to compare.

@yyzsantabarbara
I gave the BM DAC3B several weeks run-in time and it seemed to make no difference, which was a surprise. Then, followed up with Benchmark engineers asking more, they said nope, makes no difference. Build quality was amazing yet I could not find a synergy with it in "my" system. Super clean, clear, absolutely huge soundstage. Seemed kinda dry, and tone, texture, musicality was just "not there" for my system. Even tried mixing back in lower grade OFC copper IC and speaker cabling, grasping, and hoping to hear something engaging to keep my attention. Nope. Was kinda bummed, truly wanted to like it. I kept asking the engineers there if they had any planned revisions coming up. Their approach to me was all about studio engineering, specs, vs. listening-design for home audio use. Sometimes a little distortion kept in the design can be good :)

Will be curious to see if any design changes are made down the road a few years, might beta-test another one in the future if future versions come out.

@decooney I totally understand your statements on the DAC3B. It would be interesting for me to see how other non-Sabre DACs would do in my system. I am getting a cheaper Sabre DAC on Wed, the Matrix Mini-i 3 Pro. I got it for my headphone system but I will try it out on my office system first. I have a feeling it will be very similar tot he DAC3B now with the Convolution file that I have in my digital audio chain. Both DACs are spec’d similarly. I bought Matrix for both sound and feature set since it is perfect for my headphone needs (wireless and easy to move to other rooms).

I am going to turn my attention to getting either a second AHB2 amp or the CODA #8 because my speakers can use more juice. After that maybe buy a R2R DAC just for fun. In other words, a DAC has dropped to the bottom of audio ToDo list after the sound I am getting today.