Benchmark DAC3 vs. Denafrips Pontus II

@regismc 

Thanks! Yes the XP-12 is awesome. 
I’m running Rogue ST-100 tube amp and Martin Logan Montis speakers. 
 

I don’t find the Benchmark DAC3 analytical at all. I find it full and dynamic sounding with just the right amount of detail. It replaced Bryston BDA-3 and I never looked back. Hope to audition a Denafrips DAC some day. 
 

P.S. I love the analog inputs feature on DAC3 HGC.
I also enjoy vinyl and if I feel like playing the DAC direct into amp I can run my phono pre right into the DAC3 analog in. 

That sounds like a very nice setup.  Those Montis are electrostatic right?  Always been impressed at how those type sound when I’ve heard ‘em, such clarity.  I can see the Dac3 being a very good source for such.  No idea what a R2R dac would do in such a setup though.  Agree with those rca inputs on the HGC, that thing is loaded with features…

audphile1… thought u might like this.  Still enjoying the D2 running Roons dsd 256 processing but trying to figure out the selectable frequency clock settings to optimize data rate inputs…

• Clock frequency: 10MHz/ 11.2896MHz/ 12.288MHz/ 16.9344MHz/ 25MHz/ 27MHz/ 33.8688MHz/ 256fs auto

@audphile1 Will the xp-12 handle the full output of the dac3? Or do you have to use the jumpers to attenuate -10db?

My Benchmark Media Systems DAC3 HGC is installed and sounds great.  I decided to move the jumpers to -20db so my Musical Fidelity integrated amp volume control goes from about 9 o’clock to 11 o’clock.  This jumper setting seems to be working okay. Based on your equipment, you might have to experiment. 

I have owned the Benchmark DAC3 HGC for several months.  After several weeks, I found it to be very musical and like it very much.