Benchmark DAC3 or Bryston BDA2 or 3

BDA (1,2, or 3) designation refers to Bryston streamers, which do not have DACs included (although I think they have released a combination DAC/Streamer, so I could be mistaken).  I have the DAC3, which is just a DAC, and the BDP3, which is just a streamer.
  I last listened to a Benchmark DAC about 3 years ago, at an audio show, and never heard one in my system.  To me it sounded a bit hard compared to the Bryston.  That’s my 0.5 cents worth.

I would agree that the Bryston has a tube like smoothness.  A few months ago there was a review in TAS about  Bryston CD player, which has the same AKM chip as the DAC3, and the reviewers comments about the CDP were a very good description of the sound of the DAC3.
  One reason I bought the Bryston was because it has HDMI inputs.  I have a large Classical SACD collection and I can output the DSD layer of the SACD from my Oppo 105 into the Bryston.  At the time I also had a Mytek Manhatten and the difference between the two was instructive.  The Mytek is like an XRay machine, or perhaps an MRI, in that it reveals an overwhelming amount of detail, but still manages to be musical.  The detail is there with the Bryston, but it is more of a mid Hall perspective instead of front row.  They are both fantastic but I grew to prefer the Bryston, and while I gave up MQA ability when I sold the Mytek , for me the HDMI feature was more important .
  The Benchmark struck as being detailed but hard digital.  Again, I heard in in a suboptimal environment.  If the OP can audition the two DACs in his own system, that’s the best way to decide