DAC3 HGC - "At the Top of its Class ... Highly Recommended"
"Listening to a 24-bit piano solo of Dick Hyman’s Thinking About Bix, the DAC3 HGC reveals both the expansive smoothness as well as the energetic impact this unit gives the listener. The tickling of the ivories in “Ostrich Walk” is packed with playful jabs."
"I’m immediately struck by the way the depth presented by the current model immerses you in the recording, high or low resolution in nature. One of my favorite go to tracks, Handel’s Saul, HMV 53: III. Allegro with its luscious woodwinds leading the violin melody is beautifully rendered."
"Having put the DAC3 through its paces with a wide range of tube and solid state amplifiers for The Audiophile Apartment, as the core of a high performance, yet highly compact system, the DAC3 is a charmer, indeed."
"The three-dimensionality is the best I’ve achieved on my reference system."
"Other playlist favorites achieve the same degree of sonic involvement. Even Bob Seger’s classic live recording of “Turn The Page” has more front to back energy than expected. Seger’s vocals have a smoothness that shouldn’t be available from a 1970’s concert recording. This is a special digital product indeed."
DAC3 HGC - Includes the HPA2™ Headphone Amplifier
"As a headphone amp, the ability to set the output level makes the DAC3 HGC a versatile performer, allowing whatever headphones you have at your disposal to perform at their best. From an easy to drive pair of Grado’s, to power hungry HD series Sennheisers, the DAC3 HGC handles them all with ease."
"Benchmark’s years of studio experience comes in handy, as they understand the importance of matching the available level of gain to the intended device."
"Those not needing headphone capabilities, can save a few bucks by choosing the standard DAC3 L model."
"FYI, the quality of the headphone amplifier included in the DAC3 HGC is way better than anything you’ll find for three hundred bucks, so if you’re even considering a headphone amp, this is money well spent."
Tone Audio Exceptional Value Award
"Since the introduction of the original DAC1, Benchmark has set the industry on its ear, providing a true reference quality DAC at an easily approachable price. While the cost has more than doubled, so has the performance. We gave the original DAC 1 our first Exceptional Value award in issue 3, and the current DAC3 HGC is an equally good value, earning this award again in 2017."
- Marck Marcantonio, Tone Audio
