Benchmark DAC3 robust playback independent of digital source/cabling


I upgraded from DAC 2 to DAC 3 recently.

The specs on the DAC 3 speak for themselves. I don’t know of anything that measures better.

The sound is as clear, detailed and as transparently neutral as it gets with exceptionally low noise floor (blacks are black). If anything it is a little forward in the mid range compared with most other DACs but despite the detail there is a nice analog smoothness to everything. The bass is noticeably articulate but that requires a high end speaker to be heard clearly. Very Important: You must use the DAC 3 XLR direct to your power amp and speakers in order to maximize the benefit of the performance of this DAC - passing through a preamp is not going to improve things and very likely will degrade SNR and performance.

Recently I was able to try a bunch of configurations to try to see if USB cabling or a digital bridge could make a difference. I have heard and confirmed that USB cabling, coax vs optical, and different sample rates and formats can and does affect audible performance of OTHER modern DACs. I suspect jitter is still the problem as well as sample rate conversion methodologies implemented in many DACs - even those with the latest and greatest DtoA chips - and these limitations result in audible differences with various digital cables and source sample rates.

I wanted to test the Benchmark DAC 3 to see if the sound could be audibly affected by changing cables or reclocking or sample rates. I compared Coax to Optical to USB at various sample rates - nothing nada - absolutely no difference in sound. I also tried a Singxer SU-1 on loan from a friend - the Singxer took USB from may MAC Mini and converted to Coax - again absolutely no audible difference. All this is despite the optical coming straight out of the Mac Mini output jack - probably quite jittery compared to the Mac Mini feeding digital USB to a Singxer SU-1 with a coaxial connection to the DAC. Nevertheless the DAC3 faithfully converts digital to analog flawlessly and identically no matter what digital signal is feeding it. (Provided the digital be it USB or optical or coax is bit perfect)

I was very surprised that a variety of Roon converted sample rates also sounded identical. I believe this is because the DAC3 upsamples to the GHz range (for picosecond timing adjustments all done digitally) on Benchmarks proprietary dedicated digital circuits prior to feeding the Sabre chip a digital down sampled (from GHz) 211KHz signal.

So there you have it. The Benchmark DAC 3 that I own reliably converts all forms of digital over a variety of cabling and does this perfectly and identically. Testing was through lengthy listening and A to B instant switching from one digital input to another (RoonServer running on my MAC Mini can deliver multiple digital feeds via different paths to practically any DAC)

It is the consensus here on audiogon that most DACs (as reported here in countless cable threads) undoubtedly require an expensive digital USB bridge to clean up a jittery signal or special cables (Coax, optical or a USB) and may sound best on a particular digital input vs another. A particular cable vs another.

Conclusion

The Benchmark DAC 3 I own does NOT REQUIRE anything at all to sound perfect with any digital input - a direct connection from my MAC Mini sounds as good and perfect as thousands of $ of cabling/bridging.

So if you are OK with the sound of the DAC 3 then my experience is this DAC is a worry and trouble free solution to a perfect listening experience every time with no band aids.













128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xshadorne

Showing 1 response by almarg

Thanks for the excellent writeup and inputs, Shadorne. I read through the technology section of Benchmark's description of the HGC version of the DAC3 (which appears to be identical to the technology writeup for the L version, but not for the DX version). I also looked at their lengthy technical writeup on the new converter chip they are using. It certainly sounds like an impressive design, that is innovative in several different ways that seem likely to have contributed to your findings.

Thanks again. Best regards,
-- Al