Benchmark AHB2 Amp

[aqman]

I've had this amp for a few months now and thought it would be nice to post a few impressions. I've been using it with Benchmark's own DAC2 pre-amp and that combo with both Vivid B1s and PSB Synchrony Ones. There is much easily found on how it works, ect, so I'll just give my take on it. The two other amps I've used extensively with both speakers are the Bryston 4BSST2 and Ayre V5xe.

In short, it's awesome. Very smooth mid and highs and tight control over the bass. If this is what a class A amp sounds like, I can see what I've been missing. It goes louder than I need it to. No problem playing Daft Punk at house party type levels in a big room on the PSBs.

This amp does not give any mid bass warmth. The extra bass extension compared to the Ayre is very striking. I think even better than the Bryston. Soundstage, vocals, everything really, seems just right. I have no desire to move on to anything else.

The small size is really convenient. I was rearranging cables, and instead of getting behind some 100 pound stack of electronics, I just picked up the amp,dac/pre and music server and set it on a table.

It shuts itself off after 45 minutes of no signal. Not a big deal, but pre amp stays on, so have to turn amp on by hand or cycle pre off/on to trigger amp. I think I hear a small change in sound for the first 5 minutes, but I could be imagining that.