@jjss49
"...but becomes hard to listen to and live with for long stretches...".
Exactly. This was my experience as well on my system, and why I exercised the return policy. Ended up keeping the R2R Ladder DAC instead.
Benchmark DAC 3B Vs. Schiit Gungnir Multibit and a question.
I currently am using the Schiit Gungnir Multibit DAC. I’m thinking of switching to the Benchmark DAC 3B. Does anyone have any experience or opinions with regard to both these products? I already have a Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier and would think the DAC would be a good match. The description of the Benchmark DAC says it’s designed to work directly with an amplifier. I’ve been using the Gungnir with a CJ preamp until now. Question is, is there still a benefit to using a good preamp with the Benchmark DAC?
Showing 5 responses by decooney
@yyzsantabarbara You’ll hear a difference -and- if you are more acclimated to the big wide open clear sound of the DAC3B, its possible you might not like the romantic and velvety analog sound of some of the R2R Ladder DACs. I do, helping with some streamed content, particularly for tracks that were not recorded very well, makes it more enjoyable. The end result also has to do with how open and transparent your preamp/amp and speakers and the rest of the gear is - all together. Did you see this former Agon thread, folks talking about the Holo Audio May DAC by chance? Different thoughts about the results... fwiw. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/holo-audio-may-dac And, over at SBAF, some interior pics of the level 3 Holo May DAC, big toroidal transformer and caps inside, nice: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/holo-audio-spring-dac-level-3-kitsune-tuned-... Best of luck on the new R2R Ladder DAC journey. All personal preference of course. Having both types can be fun too. |
The "Coda" truly deserves to be fed by a really good sounding DAC and great preamp. I live 10 minutes from Coda, grew up in ESS, Threshold, Pass and Coda land, all started in the same place around here. Always start at the source, and then let the Coda sing if you go that route to feed it well. Good luck. |
I forgot if the DAC3B required much burn-in but the AHB2 amp required hardly any hours to sound it’s best. I have had 2 units to compare. @yyzsantabarbara I gave the BM DAC3B several weeks run-in time and it seemed to make no difference, which was a surprise. Then, followed up with Benchmark engineers asking more, they said nope, makes no difference. Build quality was amazing yet I could not find a synergy with it in "my" system. Super clean, clear, absolutely huge soundstage. Seemed kinda dry, and tone, texture, musicality was just "not there" for my system. Even tried mixing back in lower grade OFC copper IC and speaker cabling, grasping, and hoping to hear something engaging to keep my attention. Nope. Was kinda bummed, truly wanted to like it. I kept asking the engineers there if they had any planned revisions coming up. Their approach to me was all about studio engineering, specs, vs. listening-design for home audio use. Sometimes a little distortion kept in the design can be good :) Will be curious to see if any design changes are made down the road a few years, might beta-test another one in the future if future versions come out. |