Resolution didn’t seem to be any better than a Gustard X18, soundstage wasn’t as big as an SMSL D1SE, timbre wasn’t as realistic as a Holo Spring 3, and it left me feeling a bit mixed. There were no troubles with sibilance, no lack of impact on energetic tracks, it could stage decently, and detail retrieval was good.īut….I also couldn’t really find anything that stood out to me as particularly impressive. I couldn’t point out any particular problems or specific issues in the sound. To give an impression of the overall sound of the DAC3, I can best describe it as ‘fine’. However I did also try connecting the DAC3 directly to my AHB2 at full output with the AHB2 in low gain. My preamplifier can accept a max of about 8.5Vrms for example. Most consumer audio devices will not be able to accept a 12.22Vrms signal. However internally there are passive attenuators you can select via jumpers to reduce the signal by 10dB (to 3.8Vrms) or 20dB (to 1.22Vrms).įor most of my listening I used the -10dB attenuator to get the DAC close to 4v, and then used Roon to DSP volume match it and the other DACs I was comparing against to the nearest 0.001dB. ![]() The DAC3 is a professional oriented product, and as such the default output level is considerably higher than most consumer audio equipment, at 12.22Vrms on balanced out. This is being done on even very low cost units like the SMSL SU8S so cost should not be an issue, though again, in a professional environment, perhaps the reliability and longevity of simple LEDs compared to a full display is more important. If I were to nitpick, it would have been more ideal to have a display that could be read more easily at a glance as opposed to the various indicator LEDs the DAC3 has. For the money it would have been nicer to have a slightly more premium build, but given as Benchmark is to a fairly large degree targeting professional use, not home audio setups, function is more important than form. Overall the build is nothing too standout, but nothing problematic either. Allowing it to control or be controlled by other 12v trigger compatible devices such as Benchmark’s own AHB2, or third party devices like the Ferrum HYPSOS power supply. The DAC3 also includes a 12v trigger I/O. The two coax inputs can be configured to act as two separate inputs, or as a linked passthrough, so you can feed the DAC3 via D3 and output via D4 to another device. USB input, an internal SMPS with IEC mains connection, a pair of balanced outs and a pair of single ended outs. The faceplate is similar in design to that of the LA4/HPA4 or AHB2 and will match nicely as a stack, with a milled benchmark logo, front-facing bolts and a rather beautiful black finish adorned by crisp white text. The DAC3B features a powder-coated metal shell, with a thick brushed-finish faceplate. Hifiman Susvara, Sennheiser HD800, ZMF Atrium headphones AudioQuest Niagara 5000 power conditioner If you’d like to see more about the design and objective performance of the DAC then please see the measurements post here: TBD.īut for now, let’s talk about the sound you get with this DAC. The LA4 was only recently beaten by the Holo Serene.Īnd the DAC3 boasts quite a lot of impressive objective specs, but perhaps more importantly, care and attention paid to areas that are critically important but where most people would not look.įor example the DAC3 has quite a lot of internal digital headroom to ensure that it does not clip what is known as ‘intersample overs’, something which occurs a lot on many DACs where no extra headroom is given.īut, I personally have had a bit of a mixed experience with Benchmark products from a subjective standpoint I absolutely adore the AHB2 and it’s still one of my favourite amplifiers, but the HPA4 headphone amp was in my opinion too clinical/sterile sounding and was beaten by other well measuring products like the Singxer SA-1. The AHB2 is to my knowledge still the lowest distortion speaker amplifier available. The level of information provided is typically rivalled only by companies like RME with their somewhat famous ADI-2 manual.Īnd their products across all categories are typically some of if not the highest objective performing in most areas. When you buy a Benchmark product you get a thorough manual complete with not only operational guidance, but technical information and measurements too. I deliberately avoid measuring until I have finalised my subjective impressions to avoid objective behaviour influencing my opinion.īenchmark is a company known for a straightforward, transparent and objective approach to their product design and marketing. NOTE: Subjective impressions and review are written BEFORE measuring the device. Content and analysis made possible thanks to support from, and supporters.
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