Benchmark DAC Thoughts


Hi. I have added The Benchmark DAC3 L to my list for a possible purchase.

Does anyone have experience with this particular DAC or Benchmark DACs in general?

Associated equipment is an AudioLab 6000CDT transport and PS Audio Stellar mono amps and preamp. Looking forward to your thoughts/opinions...

 

Thanks!

gnoworyta
Post removed 

IT’s a very good DAC. One of the best on paper and has received considerable accolades. Tech savvy people tend to love it. How it will sound will largely be a matter of system synergy but most find the DAC 2 and 3 to be a good fit in most any good system whereas some found DAC1 to be a tad fatiguing in some cases. Probably my next DAC when time comes. No mysteries with Benchmark. Their products are all very well documented, no nonsense, and easy to assess compared to many where all you have is limited word of mouth and marketing hype.  It's a no-brainer as a go to DAC whenever in doubt.

Happy to chime in! I'm currently a very happy owner/user of a Benchmark 3BDAC and an Audiolab 6000 CD Transport. (I stream through an Auralic Aries G1). I find everyday that it sounds true and fantastic. You will hear more differences between recordings than the equipment that is playing it back. Be aware this DAC is pro gear. Abbey Road still has 30 or more DAC 1's I'm told. I WILL say for streaming with ethernet connection, do yourself a big favor and add a Network Acoustics ENO filter. And, Benchmark told me and I'm here to confirm it....connection between the DAC and the Audiolab will sound the same whether it's Toslink or SPDIF.

I love Benchmark products. I have LA4 | AHB2 | DAC3B and owned many older DACs from then. Last night I did an apples-to-apples comparison with my DAC3B and my new Musetec 005. I was just listening to Nina Simone. I used ROON Group streaming with the gain on the CODA 07x preamp matched for both DACs. I used 2 almost identical Sonore OpticalRendu's to do the Group stream. Both DACs are ESS based chips.

I will cut to the chase and say that the Musetec at $3300 is much better than the $1700 DAC3B. The Musetec does everything better than the DAC3B. More bass, thicker or denser sound, and better top end but with a bit of softness to it. For example, on Nina Simone's SINNERMAN the percussion on the start of the track was so much better on the 005.

I have had a few DACs come into my system; I always kept the DAC3B around because it was like comfort food for me. However, I am now thinking of moving my DAC3B to another room along with 1 of my Sonore OpticalRendu streamers because so far, ALL music seems to be better on the 005 vs the DAC3B. In the past I preferred hard rock on the DAC3B, mainly how electric guitars sounded on it. The 005 is now the king for all music.

The DAC2 and DAC3 sound the same to me. the DAC3 HGC and DAC2 HGC were not great at low level volume when used as a preamp. Adding the incredible LA4 or HPA4 solves that issue. I have never tried the Musetec 005 direct to amp. I have only used it with a CODA 07x preamp and Benchmark LA4 preamp.

The Mustec maybe still available for the $2969 sale price and also 30-day home trial. Benchmark also has a 30-day home trial so there is a way to test them out before buying.