Benchmark DAC Thoughts

@gnoworyta for what it’s worth I had come to the same conclusion as you that the benchmark dac looked very interesting, I was considering it against the topping D90 and the chord cutest and the RMEADI2 dac. I had not heard any of them and was going by reviews and comments. In the end I opted for the Rme ADI 2 because it seem to have the greatest versatility and I am happy to report the sound quality is all that I hoped. It has the advantage that it comes in about $700 below your budget cap. Like the benchmark it is also made by a company that caters primarily to studio audio but tailored for the home market. I am currently having it serves as both dac and preamp Sending a balanced signal into a pair of Nelson Pass designed ACA mono blocks and KEF LS 50s. I honestly can’t imagine the sound getting a whole lot better.

The RME and Benchmark DAC3s are pretty similar (as is the Topping D90SE). My friend on the streaming project I mentioned above ended up with 3 new RME DACs instead of Benchmark DACs. Now those DACs may not have been broken in because they were brand new. There were some technical glitches on 1 of the DACs that I had to work around, but for the most part it was a similar sounding to the Benchmark DAC3.

Thanks all. I will be using the DAC to listen exclusively to redbook CD at this time. No streaming plans in the near term.

Had the DAC 3L for a couple years. Thought it was great. Bought it direct from benchmark. They were very helpful with my questions I had for dacs in general. It was designed to be neutral, no colorization of the source music. It would be a solid choice. 

Robert TN  my system consists of the following/  Tekton DI speakers, SVS sb 4000 sub, Peachtree AMP 500, Benchmark LA-4 preamp and DAC 3B, Audio lab 6000cdt. I stream Amazon HD music trough a Windows based computer, USB , into my DAC 3, along with CD's. I listen to only Rock and Roll music quite loudly, near 100spl level. Since adding the LA-4 and DAC 3,   I can't begin to explain how much of an improvement I've heard. Not a 5 or 10% improvement, But maybe 50%. I can't get over the improved dynamics, clarity, openness!!!! Voices!!!!  I feel like I bought a brand new system. Rory, at Benchmark sold me on the combo preamp and DAC. He said a vast improvement over just the DAC, All I can say is, I'm VERY Impressed. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!  by the way, Benchmark is in NEW YORK, 30 day free trial period, 5 year warranty, and have been in business for many years. Rory will answer any questions you have, sound, hook up, etc.  Can't say enough good things. Robert TN