[Supercronopio]

As of yesterday I have completed the changes to my system, and the results are far better than I expected. I installed the new IAD into my Bryston BDP-2, and ran it most of the day. It's a huge upgrade in sound that you can read about many other places, but it really was the icing on the cake. I like upgrades that cost $500 and make the kind of changes that a component upgrade brings.

Several years ago, I realized that without any analog sources my McIntosh C500 pre was just a very expensive volume control. My DAC at the time was a Benchmark DAC2HGC. I configured the Benchmark to be a Preamp and took the C500 out of the system. It didn't go back in, it was sold here to another AA'er. That left me with a pair of MC501s driving the Cremona Ms'. Earlier this year I upgraded from a Mac mini server to the Bryston BDP-2. It's an amazing machine, and the new sound card just makes it stellar.

When Benchmark announced the AHB2 amp last year, I was intrigued but skeptical that it would be an improvement over my MC501s. I finally made the commitment to purchase one, knowing I had 30 days to make a decision. I ordered all Benchmark cabling. Additionally, I sold all of my Shunyata power cables and my Triton conditioner. I purchased a Torus TOT conditioner and a boxful of Monoprice power cables the length that I needed them. An OPPO BDP 103 rounded out the upgrade, mostly for the Tidal application. I sold the 501s, bought some goodies for the wife to justify selling the McIntosh "I just had to have......"

The AHB2 is an amazing piece of equipment. It's development history is very interesting and it's obvious that the engineers at Benchmark are cutting edge. The sounds are far more Class A than the McIntosh, and I have noticed myself really appreciating sequences of notes and chords more. It passes the smile test.. Often.

I'm not going to be pedantic about any of the price disparities, or the value of cable differences or digital volume controls. That wasn't why I went this direction with my system. I really like Benchmark and the value that they provide, but mostly I like the detail that the system provides. I also wanted to keep my average component price low enough as to not draw attention when I make any changes.

I learned a long time ago that if I could hear positive differences after system changes while doing other things in the house, then my upgrade was worthwhile. This is definitely an upgrade meeting some personal objectives, and improving the sound of the system.

I'm not going to post any pictures. I installed the doors on my rack. The McIntosh gear obviously looks as good as it sounds, but the Benchmark gear is far more industrial. Now it is just the music.

Thanks for reading..