Benchmark Dac3 vs ‘Higher end’ Dacs

[granosalis]

On 1/27/2021 at 5:46 PM, audiobomber said:

I am told the DAC3 HGC may be sonically better than the L version but I would be surprised it if beats the exaSound

There is no sonical differences between 3B and HGC, just features.

[granosalis]

5 hours ago, CheapSplurge said:

On these dacs is optical or USB from Laptop superior în sound quality? 

I have found the DAC3B sounds at its best (more transparent) through coax, USB is a bit veiled comparig the coax.

I sold my benchmark because I think it's getting a little old in terms of features, I still think it's a show sonically.

[granosalis]

1 hour ago, CheapSplurge said:

How high in upsampling can coax go, is it relatively noise free? 

24/192, 100% noise free (input 4)

Input 3 is less stable and good that 4, don't ask me why. 

Optical is nearly at the same level than input 4.

These tests were performed using my SMS200 feeding my modded Singxer SU1 coax out to DAC3B

 

[granosalis]

4 hours ago, audiobomber said:

That was my impression as well when I made the purchase, but I read a post by "some guy on the internet" who claimed the HGC version has circuit features that affect the sound. He provided details of the supposed differences to support his claim, which may or may not have been relevant or even correct. That is why I prefaced my statement with "I am told". 

Thanks for the clarification, it wasn't clear for me at first glance. 

By the way, from the Benchmark web site, this is what the claim: 

"The DAC3 B is the ideal converter to use in front of Benchmark's HPA4 headphone amplifier or LA4 line amplifier. It is also ideal for many professional studio applications. It delivers the full performance of the flagship DAC3 HGC, but eliminates the volume control, the analog inputs, the mute and polarity controls, and the headphone amplifier. "