Short answer: the Benchmark DAC3 HGC. It ranks #13 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos by measured performance, rated 4.6/5, at $2,399; the Chord DAVE ranks #18, rated 4.5/5, and costs $14,900, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Benchmark DAC3 HGC does well: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 112 dB, clean for nearly all listening. The tradeoff: It costs many times more than the Topping DX3 Pro+, which rates higher and measures cleaner.
Why pick the Chord DAVE: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 110 dB, so noise and distortion stay clean for nearly all listening. The catch: It costs vastly more than the Fosi Audio ZH3, which rates higher and measured cleaner in Audio Science Review’s tests.
Buy the Benchmark DAC3 HGC. It is rated higher than the Chord DAVE and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Benchmark DAC3 HGC | Chord DAVE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,399.00 | $14,900.00 |
| Ranked | #13 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #18 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp | DAC and headphone amp |
| SINAD | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 110 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 1,250 mW into 30 ohms (manufacturer rated) | 1,400 mW into 33 ohms (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 2 x 6.35 mm | 6.35 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (XLR line out) | Yes (XLR line out) |
| Inputs | USB, 2 x optical, 2 x coaxial, 2 x RCA analog | USB-B, 4 x coaxial (BNC), 2 x optical, AES/EBU |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA, XLR |
| DAC Chip | ES9028PRO | Custom FPGA (Xilinx Spartan 6) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob (motorized, remote) | Digital (rotary encoder, remote) |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 1.8” x 8.5” (249 x 44.5 x 216 mm) | 13.2” x 3.1” x 6” (335 x 78 x 152 mm) |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.36 kg) | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | - | 154 mW (manufacturer rated) |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
How Benchmark DAC3 HGC compares with other leading options:
- D&A Alpha Pro vs Benchmark DAC3 HGC
- Benchmark DAC3 HGC vs Yulong DA10
- Benchmark DAC3 HGC vs SPL Phonitor x
- Benchmark DAC3 HGC vs Chord Hugo 2
- Benchmark DAC3 HGC vs Woo Audio WA11 Topaz
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Amps and DACs In Full
Benchmark DAC3 HGC: $2,399.00 Benchmark Media Systems eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 112 dB, clean for nearly all listening. It has USB, two optical, two coaxial and two analog inputs, RCA and XLR outputs, and a motorized volume knob with remote control. Its headphone outputs are rated for 1,250 mW into 30 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones.
Cons: It costs many times more than the Topping DX3 Pro+, which rates higher and measures cleaner. The two headphone jacks are both 6.35 mm, so there is no balanced headphone output.
Full Benchmark DAC3 HGC review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (XLR line out) |
| DAC Chip | ES9028PRO |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 1.8” x 8.5” (249 x 44.5 x 216 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 2 x 6.35 mm |
| Inputs | USB, 2 x optical, 2 x coaxial, 2 x RCA analog |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 1,250 mW into 30 ohms (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob (motorized, remote) |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.36 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Chord DAVE: $14,900.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 110 dB, so noise and distortion stay clean for nearly all listening. Chord rates it at 1,400 mW into 33 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones, and it doubles as a full DAC preamp with USB, four coaxial, two optical and AES/EBU inputs plus RCA and XLR outputs. A remote and digital volume control make it easy to run as the hub of a desktop or speaker system.
Cons: It costs vastly more than the Fosi Audio ZH3, which rates higher and measured cleaner in Audio Science Review’s tests. Its only headphone jack is a single 6.35 mm socket with no balanced headphone output, and at 5 kg it is a large desktop unit.
Full Chord DAVE review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| DAC Chip | Custom FPGA (Xilinx Spartan 6) |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 13.2” x 3.1” x 6” (335 x 78 x 152 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm |
| Inputs | USB-B, 4 x coaxial (BNC), 2 x optical, AES/EBU |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 154 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 1,400 mW into 33 ohms (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 110 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Digital (rotary encoder, remote) |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons