Benchmark DAC3 L Digital to Analog Converter
Benchmark Remote
Benchmark DAC3 L - rear view
Benchmark DAC3 L Digital to Analog Converter
Benchmark Remote
Benchmark DAC3 L - rear view
Benchmark DAC3 L Digital to Analog Converter
Benchmark Remote
Benchmark DAC3 L - rear view

Benchmark DAC3 L - Digital to Analog Audio Converter

$2,099.00 USD
$2,099.00 USD
$2,099.00 USD
Shipping calculated at checkout.
High-Headroom Digital Processing
Linear-Phase Filters
Supports Studio or Hi-Fi Output Levels
Jitter-Immune UltraLock3™ Clock System
Hybrid Gain Control
Style: Silver
Remote:
In Stock
18 In Stock

SKU: 500-14800-330

Recommendations

Abbey Road Studios

"The biggest sonic improvement in mastering in the last 5 or 6 years is D/A and A/D converters ... we use fairly new Benchmark converters front and back. Abbey Road like a uniformity between the rooms so all of the rooms have the same A/D and D/A conversion."

- Geoff Pesche, Mastering Engineer, Abbey Road Studios
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"Best Digital Audiophile Product of 2024"

"The Benchmark DAC3 B is an audiophile DAC, with pro audio roots, that punches way above its weight."

- Future Audiophile
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Stereophile

"The DAC3 was all about depths, in several respects...I heard deeper into the music."

- Jim Austin, Stereophile
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stereophile recommended components 2025 award
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Selected by Top Studios, Enjoyed by Audiophiles

Sonically-Neutral Studio Monitoring

Benchmark converters are designed to be sonically neutral. This sonic transparency is absolutely essential in the studio monitoring chain.

Benchmark converters have become a standard fixture in many of the world's finest studios.

Bring the Studio into Your Living Room

When Benchmark's professional converters are used in hi-fi applications, studio-quality sound can be enjoyed in a home environment. Enjoy pure music without any coloration from the electronics. Hear the music exactly the way it was heard in the studio, and exactly the way the artists intended.

Discover the natural, uncolored, analog sound of Benchmark converters.

DAC 3 L Black Right-Side View

Technology of the DAC3 L

High-Headroom DSP

  • Nearly Exclusive to Benchmark
  • Provides 3 dB Headroom Above 0 dBFS
  • Prevents Clipping of Intersample Peaks
  • 0 dBS+ Intersample Peaks Often Occur 100s of Times per Second
  • Prevents Short Bursts of High-Amplitude Distortion
  • Not Available on Most Other D/A Converters
  • May Be the Single Most Important Difference
Learn More

Linear-Phase Filters

  • DAC Reconstruction Filter has a Linear Phase Brick Wall Response
  • Accurately Reproduces the Original Analog Waveform
  • Preserves the Analog Waveshape Through Multiple A/D and D/A Conversions
  • Waveform Integrity is Extremely Important for Studio Applications
  • Delivers a Studio Experience to the Listening Space
  • The "Custom" Filters Found in Other DACs Change the Analog Waveform
Learn More

Calibrated Output Levels

  • Designed to Feed an Analog Preamplifier
  • Ideal for use with the Benchmark LA4 Preamplifier
  • Ideal for use with the Benchmark HPA4 Headphone Amplifier
  • +24 dBu @ 0 dBFS (Attenuators Off)
  • 4 Vrms @ 0 dBFS (10 dB Attenuators On)
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Studio or Hi-Fi Output Levels

  • High Signal Levels can Increase the System SNR
  • Studios use Levels that are 10 dB Higher than Hi-Fi Levels
  • The DAC3 Balanced Outputs Can be Configured for Studio or Hi-Fi Output Levels
  • All Benchmark Products use Studio Levels Internally
  • In an All-Benchmark System, Every Balanced Interface Operates at Studio Levels
Learn More

Jitter-Immune UltraLock3™ Clock System

  • Removes Jitter From the Digital Interface
  • Keeps Jitter-Induced Distortion 140 dB Below the Music
  • Jitter-Induced Distortion is Held Well Below the 0 dB SPL Threshold of Hearing
  • Immune to the Jitter Induced by Long Cables
  • Immune to the Jitter Induced by Low-Quality Transports
  • Immune to the Jitter Induced by USB Interfaces
Learn More

Need a Headphone Amplifier?

  • The DAC3 HGC Adds a Headphone Amplifier
  • All DAC3 Models Share the Same Circuit Boards
  • All DAC3 Models Deliver Identical Performance
  • The Volume Controls on the DAC3 HGC and DAC3 L can be Bypassed
Learn More

High-Resolution Playback Begins with an External D/A Converter

Upgrade to an external Benchmark DAC and experience the full capabilities of high-resolution audio.

The Benchmark DAC3 Converter Family

Each member of the DAC3 converter family is sonically identical, and they share identical performance specifications. Each model is built on the same circuit board, but the higher-priced models add additional features.

  • DAC3 HGC - Full-Featured Version of the DAC3
  • DAC3 L - Removes the HPA2 Headphone Amplifier
  • DAC3 B - Removes the Volume Control
Benchmark DAC3 L on a rustic wooden box

Listening Experience

The Benchmark DAC3 delivers a clear, open, and uncluttered playback across the entire frequency range.

Instrumental overtones are rendered with exceptional precision and realism. Vocals are reproduced with outstanding accuracy and natural tones. Transients are fast and precise. Bass is deep and well controlled.

The ultra-linear phase response of the DAC3, allows it to create a precise three-dimensional rendering of the recorded space. This space is open and uncluttered because noise and distortion are held below the 0-dB SPL threshold of hearing at all playback levels.

This experience is not limited to the line-level outputs. The DAC3 HGC includes Benchmark's HPA2 0-Ohm Headphone Amplifier which easily drives difficult headphone loads.

Benchmark DAC3 L with a silver front panel on a rustic wooden box

Awards

stereophile recommended components 2025 award
HiVi Grand Prix 2020 HiVi Prize for amplifier
stereophile product of the year award 2018
See more awards

Front Panel

Benchmark DAC3 L Front Panel View
POWER BUTTON
  • On/Off Momentary Switch
CONTROL BUTTONS
  • MUTE/DIM - Enables Mute or -20 dB Dim
  • POLARITY - Inverts Output Polarity
  • INPUT - Up/Down Buttons
STATUS INDICATORS
  • Analog Inputs - A1 and A2
  • USB Input - U
  • Digital Inputs - D1 to D4
  • Home Theater Bypass - HT
  • Bit Depth - 16 and 24
  • Sample Rate - 44, 48, 2X, 4X
  • DSD Indicator - 2X and 4X both on
VOLUME
  • Motorized Volume Control
  • HGC - Hybrid Gain Control
  • Controls Digital Inputs with DSP
  • Controls Analog Inputs with a Potentiometer

Rear Panel

Benchmark DAC3 L Rear Panel View
BALANCED OUTPUTS
  • L & R XLR Outputs
  • Studio Output Levels - Default
  • Hi-Fi Output Levels - Attenuators Enabled
  • Passive 10 dB and 20 dB Attenuators
  • +24 dBu @ 0 dBFS - Attenuator Off
  • 4 Vrms @ 0 dBFS - 10 dB Attenuator On
  • Dedicated Output Buffers
UNBALANCED OUTPUTS
  • L & R RCA - Output 1
  • L & R RCA - Output 2
  • 2 Vrms @ 0 dBFS
  • Dedicated Output Buffers
ANALOG INPUTS
  • L & R RCA - Input A2
  • L & R RCA - Input A1
DIGITAL INPUTS
  • TOSLINK Optical Inputs - D1 & D2
  • S/PDIF Coaxial Inputs - D3 & D4
  • USB Audio Input - USB
TRIGGER I/O
  • Bidirectional 12V Trigger Port
POWER INPUT
  • IEC Power Connector
  • Dual Fuses
  • International Power Supply
California Proposition 65 Warning

Recommended Accessories

Additional Information

Application Notes
Videos

Manual

DAC3 Series Manual

Driver

Windows operating systems prior to Windows 10 require a driver when operating in USB Audio 2.0 mode. USB Audio 2.0 mode is required for sample rates over 96 kHz. No driver is required for Mac or Linux operating systems.

DAC2 and DAC3 Driver →

Audio Performance:

Fs = 44.1 to 96 kHz, 20 to 20 kHz BW, 1 kHz test tone, 0 dBFS = +24 dBu (unless noted)

SNR
  • SNR – A-Weighted, 0 dBFS = +27 dBu: 128 dB
  • SNR – Unweighted, 0 dBFS = +27 dBu: - 126
THD
  • THD+N, 1 kHz at 0 dBFS: -113 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022%
  • THD+N, 1 kHz at -1 dBFS: -114 dBFS, -113 dB, 0.00022%
  • THD+N, 1 kHz at –3 dBFS: -119 dBFS, -116 dB, 0.00016%
  • THD+N, 20 to 20 kHz test tone at –3 dBFS: -113 dBFS, -110 dB, 0.00032%
Frequency Response
Frequency Response at Fs=192 kHz:
  • +0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 to 20 kHz)
  • -0.015 dB at 10 Hz
  • -0.005 dB at 20 kHz
  • -0.031 dB at 40 kHz
  • -0.15 dB at 80 kHz
  • -0.15 dB at 80 kHz

Frequency Response at Fs=48 kHz:

  • +0 dB, -0.015 dB (20 to 20 kHz)
  • -0.015 dB at 10 Hz
  • -0.005 dB at 20 kHz
Crosstalk
  • -137 dB at 20 Hz
  • -130 dB at 1 kHz
  • -116 dB at 20 kHz
Maximum Amplitude
  • Maximum Amplitude of Jitter Induced Sidebands (10 kHz 0 dBFS test tone, 12.75 UI sinusoidal jitter at 1 kHz): < -144 dB
  • Maximum Amplitude of Spurious Tones with 0 dBFS test signal: < -138 dB
  • Maximum Amplitude of Idle Tones: < -147 dB
  • Maximum Amplitude of AC line related Hum & Noise: < -133 dB
Inter-channel Differential Phase
  • Stereo Pair – any sample rate: +/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz
  • Between DAC3 Units Fs<110 kHz) - any sample rate: +/- 0.25 degrees at 20 kHz
Phase Lock Loop
  • Maximum Lock Time after Fs change: 6 ms
Volume/Mute Characteristics
  • Soft Mute Ramp Up/Down Time: 9.6 ms
  • Mute on Receive Error: Yes
  • Mute on Lock Error: Yes
  • Mute on Idle Channel: No
De-Emphasis
  • 50/15 us De-Emphasis Enable: Automatic in Consumer Mode
  • De-Emphasis Method: Digital IIR
  • De-Emphasis Supported at Fs = 32, 44.1, 48 kHz

Group Delay (Latency):

Delay – Digital Input to Analog Output (function of sample rate)

  • 1.36 ms at 44.1 kHz
  • 1.27 ms at 48 kHz
  • 0.90 ms at 88.2 kHz
  • 0.82 ms at 96 kHz
  • 0.51 ms at 176.4 kHz
  • 0.47 ms at 192 kHz

Digital Audio Inputs:

  • Number of Digital Inputs (switch selected): 5 (1 USB, 2 Optical, 2 Coaxial)
  • Number of Channels: 2
  • Input Sample Frequency Range (Coaxial Inputs): 28 to 210 kHz
  • Input Sample Frequency Range (Optical Inputs): 28 to 96 kHz
  • Input Sample Frequency Range (USB Inputs): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
  • Maximum Input Word Length: 24 bits
  • Digital Input Impedance: 75 Ohms (Coaxial Inputs)
  • DC Blocking Capacitors on Digital Inputs: Yes (Coaxial Inputs)
  • Transient and Over-Voltage Protection on Digital Inputs: Yes (Coaxial Inputs)
  • Minimum Digital Input Level: 250 mVpp (Coaxial Inputs)
  • Jitter Tolerance (With no Measurable Change in Performance): >12.75 UI sine at 100 Hz to 3 kHz, >1.5 UI sine at 20 kHz, >1.5 UI sine at 40 kHz, >1.5 UI sine at 80 kHz, >1.5 UI sine at 90 kHz, >0.25 UI sine above 160 kHz
  • Jitter Attenuation Method: Benchmark UltraLock3™ - all inputs

Balanced Analog Outputs:

  • Number of Balanced Analog Outputs: 2
  • Output Connector: Gold-Pin Neutrik™ male XLR
  • Output Impedance: 60 Ohms (Attenuator off), 425 Ohms (Attenuator = 10 dB), 135 Ohms (Attenuator = 20 dB)
  • Analog Output Clip Point: +30 dBu
  • Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS): +24 dBu (Attenuator off)
  • Output Level Range (at 0 dBFS) In ‘Variable’ Mode: Off to +27.5 dBu (Attenuator off), Off to +17.5 dBu (Attenuator = 10 dB), Off to +7.5 dBu (Attenuator = 20 dB)
  • Output Level Variation with Sample Rate (44.1 kHz vs. 96 kHz): < +/- 0.006 dB

Unbalanced Analog Outputs:

  • Number of Unbalanced Analog Outputs: 4
  • Output Connector: RCA
  • Output Impedance: 30 Ohms
  • Analog Output Clip Point: +13.5 dBu (3.7 Vrms)
  • Factory Calibration (at 0 dBFS): +8.2 dBu (2 Vrms)
  • Output Level Range (with 0 dBFS digital input): Off to +11.7 dBu (3 Vrms)
  • Output Level Variation with Sample Rate: < +/- 0.006 dB

Status Display:

  • Indicators - Type and Location: 16 LED’s on Front Panel
  • Selection/Status Indication:1 – Dim/Mute, 1 - Polarity, 6 – Input, 2 – Bypass/Calibrated Output, 2 – Word length, 4 – Sample Rate

AC Power Requirements:

  • Nominal Input Operating Voltage Range (VAC RMS): 100 – 240V
  • Frequency: 50-60 Hz
  • Power: < 0.5 Watts Idle, 12 Watts Typical Program, 13 Watts Maximum
  • Fuses: 5 x 20 mm (2 required), 0.5 A 250 V Slo-Blo®Type
  • Min/Max Operating range (VAC RMS): 90 – 260 VAC, 47 – 63 Hz

Dimensions:

  • Form Factor: ½ Rack Wide, 1 RU High
  • Depth behind front panel: 8.5” (216 mm)
  • Overall depth including connectors but without power cord: 9.33” (237 mm)
  • Width: 9.5” (249 mm)
  • Height: 1.725” (44.5 mm)

Weight:

  • DAC3 only: 3 lb.
  • DAC3 with remote control, power cord, extra fuses, and manual: 4 lb.
  • Shipping Weight: 7 lb.

Important Features:

  • Sample Rate Display
  • Word Length Display
  • 5 Digital Inputs
  • 2 Stereo Analog Inputs (2 RCA)
  • 3 Stereo Analog Outputs (2 RCA, 1 XLR)
  • Digital Pass Through
  • Native DSD Conversion
  • Polarity Switch
  • Asynchronous USB 2.0
  • Home Theater Bypass
  • Bi-Directional 12 Volt Trigger
  • Power Switch
  • Low Power Consumption
  • ES9028PRO Converter

Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 20 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

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Review highlights

Reviews

Not my first benchmark product

"Not my first benchmark product but probably my last. I’m not saying it’s bad in anyway I just don’t think I will ever find a product that will beat the trueness of sound. Last month I treated myself to a full Benchmark set up, a new Dac 3 L and an ABH 2. And with the cable deal a set of 25 foot speaker cables. My intention was to use it with a pair of ls3/5a and I will say the authority and grip was something I had never heard on the little Falcon Acoustics. The next speaker to bring in to play was a pair of vintage WE 755a, I know tubes are gospel, 300B running single ended. But this full Benchmark system taught me a thing or two about distortion, I don’t like it anymore. This new dac, amplifier combo has eliminated it. It is so clean and quiet, no hum, no strange pops. Great sound stage, maybe not the widest on all recording, but it’s clear it’s the recording not the set up. It’s even fooling my cats. Tapping foots in recordings are making them look to the area below the speaker, weird. My purchase started out to just say thank you to a great company I just wanted to support in these hard times. Turned out to be an eye and ear opener that’s making my foot tap and a big smile on my face."

— Thomas L. (5/5)

Great sound and the Benchmark

"Great sound and the Benchmark team has been very helpful to make sure I have everything connected properly."

— Kris R. (5/5)

Great DAC, handles any digital

"Great DAC, handles any digital source from high end streamers to raspberry pi USB output with no issues whatsoever. I utilize the HT Bypass to separate my home theater from HIFI which is a great feature for my setups."

— Kelly B. (5/5)

Wonderful

"Only have used this D/A for a few days and already hear a more open sounding musical reproduction. Probably will be adding their headphone amp and power amp. Just great sound for a reasonable price."

— Rick S. (5/5)

The product is performing as

"The product is performing as advertised. Actually, all Benchmark product I have purchased is great. I love my AHB2, too. Recommend to others - get a high level product that is not breaking the bank and is not making you find a bigger appartment."

— Nick M. (5/5)

Excellent product

"Excellent product, meets all the expectations. Recommend to all."

— Nick M. (5/5)

My new DAC3 L performs

"My new DAC3 L performs beautifully, revealing more detail and fidelity be it from my hi-res FLAC files to streaming channels from WETA to Spotify. I also, as John Atkinson noted in his Stereophile review, have been impressed with the bass response from a variety of sources, be it plucked double bass, timpani, or kick drum. So pleasing to listen to."

— Steve K. (5/5)

I am very pleased with

"I am very pleased with my DAC3 L. I have it connected to a pair of Genelec 8331A monitors and 7350A subwoofer for my home theater system. The sound is clear and detailed to a degree I didn’t think was possible. I asked my AI what it recommended for the best sound and this was the advice it gave. Thank you for making this amazing product."

— John H. (5/5)

This little DAC is marvelous.

"This little DAC is marvelous. I find it very neutral. It handles large symphonies music (e.g. Mahler 2 Ivan Fischer) extremely well. A barely audible violin (e.g. Schubert’s Fantasie for violin and piano). It feels as if dynamic range is greater. I cannot recommend this DAC highly enough. I will get the preamplifier which will add one convenience feature (knowing what the volume setting is). The remote control could be improved Ed by h making the on and off very easy to see as well as the volume controls)."

— Bob M. (5/5)

A few weeks ago I

"A few weeks ago I have acquired the Benchmark DAC3 L. My audio system comprises Mark Levinson 380S preamp, Mark Levinson 331 amplifier and ProAc 2s speakers. All connecting cables are of a high-end quality. My music source comes (USB 2.0) from Mac Book Pro with over 1,5T of mostly AIFF files extracted from my large CD collection. Files contain mostly jazz and classical music. Streaming files are from Apple Music service. My DACs are/were Topping E70 DAC and Cambridge Audio DAC MAGIC 200M. Our listening test includes my friend’s Bryston BR-20 preamplifier DAC. By education, I am an architect and industrial designer which I believe allows me to make esthetic/ergonomic statements.Design: DAC3 L is straight forward industrial design. It belongs to the “less is more”, minimalism psychology where object is stripped to its essential; nothing more and nothing less for an object to function. DAC3 L’s missing decoration (e.i. Levinson) is replaced with a unit’s objectively low cost. A-B comparison tests: Topping and Cambridge Audio music sound were substantially better compared to sound coming straight from Mac Book Pro. E70 is noticeably better than Cambridge Audio DAC.Compared to the ($7,000) Bryston BR-20, sound difference are more oriented to subjective taste, although we all (with my experienced audiophile friends) believed that sound stage, instruments like piano and vocal sounds are slightly better with DAC3 L.Although it may appear expensive to some, the DAC3’s sound quality is in the league of better than $6 - $10K + DACs.My next step may be the LA4 Line Amplifier, also likely is the AHB2, probably X2. Rory, thanks for your support."

— Dragomir I. (5/5)

Q&A

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Benchmark LA4, DAC3 B, and AHB2 on a rustic wooden rack.