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Several hours into the AHB-2 being in my system, a few more things are coming to mind as the amp burns in.

Soundstaging is excellent. The Benchmark aids and abets the Quatro Wood CT’s talent for separating instruments and voices. This is a very important attribute for classical music. Without separation in space instruments and vocalists can sonically overlap each other and telling them apart becomes a tad difficult. It helps that the Benchmark’s textures and timbre of instruments are also clearer, as are the instrumental and vocal components of large orchestras and choral ensembles

One of my tests for tonal resolution is Vladimir Horowitz’s 1985 New York recording (DG). His Steinway is an amazing tonal kaleidoscope that can sound clangy on lesser amps. Thru the Benchmark the complexity of his piano’s tones comes through clearly, so the clangy sound is absent.

Another test of resolution I use is the Helene Grimaud/Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir recording of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy (also DG). There are subtle plucking of strings in the middle of the second movement along with some nice voice solos near the end of the same movement. The plucking is very evident and the vocalists sound gorgeous. I’ve heard this recording through the Linn Klimax system where the plucks sounded just a tad more clear, but that system had a $80k set of speakers!

A favorite test using rock music is Boston’s “Hitch a Ride” where there is an acoustic guitar that plays in the background in the second half of the song. The Benchmark brings it out so it’s presence is plainly evident.

More impressions to come in a few days.