In my review of the Benchmark DAC3 HGC, I reveal a DAC and headphone amplifier that genuinely earns its professional pedigree. The standout first impression is the dead‑silent background and deeply black soundstage, delivering remarkable transparency and lush, full-bodied tonality — bass is well-textured, treble speed is precise, and even analytical headphones like the DT 1990 feel musically engaging.
The unit is packed with practical features: a robust metal remote, clear LED indicators for input, bit-depth, and sample-rate, plus volume control integrated into both headphone and preamp stages. Its digital volume control excels, and the ultra-low output impedance ensures compatibility from sensitive IEMs to power-hungry full-size headphones — with more than enough power for even modded DT 990s.
Built on four ES9028PRO DAC chips, the DAC3 supports native DSD64 and uses Benchmark’s UltraLock3 jitter suppression to deliver a natural, holographic presentation — even if DSD is actually converted to PCM under the hood. Distortion measurements are class-leading, making the unit sound neutral yet musical without overwhelming users with filter options.
Functioning equally well as a preamp, the DAC3 offers dual unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR outputs — programmable gain allows it to seamlessly integrate into larger stereo systems . In short, this is a no‑compromise “studio‑grade” DAC/amp that delivers transparent, dynamic, and powerful sound in a compact, consumer‑friendly package.