The AHB2 peaks at 29 Amps.
You can do a lot with “only” 29 (or rather 28) Amps:
Amps on the left, volts on the right.
1.5 mm (0.06") 308 stainless
Amps on the left, volts on the right.
1.5 mm (0.06") 308 stainless
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Having never seen a particular recommended ampere rating for Maggies, just that Maggies like a beefy high amperage amplifier (whatever that means), I really don’t know what is considered plenty.
My Parasound Classic 5250 is rated 45 amps peak per channel. It does a great job driving my Magnepan LRS speakers. The A21 mentioned is rated 60 amps per channel.
Dropping to 29 amps seems like a big drop, but again, I don’t have the experience or knowledge to know if it would still be plenty for driving speakers like Magnepans to their full potential, hence my question. 
Maybe someday if I come into a big wad of cash, I can give Benchmark a try. 
I’m wondering if any of you that are more familiar with Benchmark can help me out with a production date question?
These have been produced for some time now. Would there be any practical difference between ones produced in 2018 vs 2022 vs today?
I’ve noticed the DAC3 DX is no longer produced. But for the current DAC3 HGC, DAC3 L or DAC3 B would an older model have any reasons to avoid it?
I don’t really “need” the preamp functionality and don’t have any need for the headphone amp, so the DAC3 B seems to be the logical choice…but my OCD suggests that the preamp might be a fun way experiment vs my Schiit Freya + (which I really like). I’m in a simplify/downsize mode and perhaps one less box would be nice.
I can swing a new B model, but I see some older L and HGC models for attractive prices.
Thanks!
Your best bet is to ask Benchmark directly. I asked them a few questions before my purchase and they were very honest and straightforward in their advice, with absolutely zero sales talk or upsell. In fact, the opposite.
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I sold my PS Audio Direct Stream Dac mkii ($8K) for a Benchmark DAC3B ($2K) and don’t miss the PSA DSD at all.
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I use the DAC3 HGC as:
A DAC
A headphone amp
A preamp
However the only input devices connected are the USB output of a Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra, which is a Roon endpoint, and the digital output from a desktop computer via TosLink. I have never used the analog inputs on the DAC3. Sounds great as both a preamp and headphone amp.
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I believe any DAC3 manufactured after 17th September 2018 already has the latest firmware.
If it’s older, then it may qualify for a free firmware update. The main reason for the update was compatibility with the LA4/HPA4.
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