Benchmark DAC 3B Vs. Schiit Gungnir Multibit and a question.

Yes. The HPA4 or LA4 is so much better than doing the DAC3 HGC directly into an amp. Look at the HPA4 thread I created for mine and other post about going direct to amp in comparison with the DAC3 HGC.

The HPA4 or LA4 are quieter than the DAC3 HGC so adding them into the chain does not degrade the sound. It actually improves the sound with a better volume control. The DAC3B( which I have) cannot go direct to amp since the volume control is removed.

How do yo like the tube preamp with the AHB2?

Not my experience with the DAC3B, no fatigue,  and I listen for hours on end in my office with speakers and headphones. The DAC1 was another matter and I got fatigued easily with that old one.

However, since I really have nothing else to do with this system I am going to blow some money on the R2R Halo May Level 3 DAC just to see what the differences are. I will b able to compare side by side.

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.

There are 2 things I did to make my DAC3B sound like a superstar. The first was to buy the Benchmark HPA4/LA4 preamp. A very nice improvement with the awesome preamps volume control.

The second thing I finished yesterday is described in the thread that I updated with a post.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/room-correction-roon-rew-room-eq-wizard

I am shocked at the improvements. It cost me $700 + $100 for a microphone. 

I am just laughing at the improvements. Heck, why spend more on a DAC this is end game stuff. 

@decooney I totally understand your statements on the DAC3B. It would be interesting for me to see how other non-Sabre DACs would do in my system. I am getting a cheaper Sabre DAC on Wed, the Matrix Mini-i 3 Pro. I got it for my headphone system but I will try it out on my office system first. I have a feeling it will be very similar tot he DAC3B now with the Convolution file that I have in my digital audio chain. Both DACs are spec’d similarly. I bought Matrix for both sound and feature set since it is perfect for my headphone needs (wireless and easy to move to other rooms).

I am going to turn my attention to getting either a second AHB2 amp or the CODA #8 because my speakers can use more juice. After that maybe buy a R2R DAC just for fun. In other words, a DAC has dropped to the bottom of audio ToDo list after the sound I am getting today.

I just got the Matrix Mini-i-3 Pro and compared it to my Benchmark DAC3B last night. The Matrix was excellent and I think in the same class. It is half the price of the DA3B.  The features on the Matrix is outstanding.

I bought it for my headphone only system.