#51
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RMAF is a local show for me, so I was in this room a couple of times. I had exchanged a couple of emails a few months prior to the show with Benchmark. My next component was going to be a new moving coil, since I WAS happy with my less than 3 year old First Watt F6. The 10% show discount clinched it. It arrived yesterday.
The gentleman with ML said that the engineers at the factory were very impressed with the Benchmark, as am I. Last edited by Denver; 10-16-2017 at 02:58 PM. Reason: Spelling |
#52
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Give us a full report when you've had a chance to listen to it for awhile.
Thanks! Tom
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#53
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The differences between these two amps was still much more than I had anticipated before the 30 day trial. To say that this amp has more definition, would be an oversimplification. What I’m hearing does not change with a change in the volume. The details that I hear at low-volume are no longer drowned out as the sound increases. That also means that I am listening at a higher volume compared to the F6. Using a Audio tools app to measure loudness, I would usually listen at around 70db. I’m not saying this is accurate, it is just a number that was loud enough for my room. If I turned up the volume above 70, the sound deteriorated. What I began to notice with the new amp, is that detail was not lost in louder passages when playing classical music. Normal listening is now closer to 80db, but does not sound that much louder. This is something I may not have realized if I did not have the app. This does not mean that it sounds better simply because I am playing it louder. When I do play it at 70db, the differences are still quite obvious. Yes, there is more music coming thru my Salk Songtowers. There is also much more texture with everything that’s coming through my speakers. I had begun to wonder if the lack of definition and texture with the bass in my system was my amp, or my speakers. The Benchmark has been a huge improvement in this area. The Benchmark has a 3 position sensitivity switch on the back. After speaking with Rory at Benchmark, he recommended the middle position, even though it is louder in the top position. In the middle position, the volume control on my Van Alstine T10 tube preamp is higher, getting a better signal to noise from my preamp. The position of the volume control is around 11, at 80db. Also, what a difference in the amount of heat generated between these two amps. The F6 is a class A, and was always very warm. My tube preamp has two tubes, and runs warmer than the Benchmark. Patrick |
#54
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I tried coupling my Benchmark DAC3 HGC with Roksan Caspian M2 (integrated 85watts) and ATC SCM19 v2, which left me always wanting for more. I replaced Roksan with Cambridge 851W, which gave me more fuller sound and kept me from upgrading for some time. Then I heard Benchmark AHB2....there was no going back. Never before did I appreciate the synergies of audio equipment and what they can do when aligned properly. This is probably the best audio I have heard in my whole life. There is perfect balance of highs, mids and lows - given the original recording is decent enough. I am listening to my audio collection as if I am listening to them for the first time. Its magical.
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#55
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#56
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The LA4 arrived and has just started to make music! First impression is good.
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#57
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Along with the LA4, I also purchased some Benchmark cables, and a AVA phono preamp. My sources are a CD player, and a turntable with a moving coil cartridge. A Benchmark DAC will be added later this year. How does it sound? Awesome! The imaging in my system has been ok, nothing precise until now. The image now is almost palpable. It’s not just placement left to right, it’s also front to rear, and top to bottom. My musical preferences are Classical, Rock & Roll, and Big Band. It is now easy to place the horn section behind the strings. Along with more music coming thru, the texture of stringed instruments is exciting to hear. With a remote, and the LA4 triggered to the Ahb2, there is no need to turn them on separately anymore. I also like the feature that remembers that the mute was on when I shut everything off. Have you ever started to play something and forget that the mute was not on after you switched the preamp on? After setting it up with the touchscreen, no need to open the cabinet anymore. Patrick |
#58
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When I purchased my Benchmark amp about a year and a half ago, I already had a pair of Shunyata Venom speaker cables- spade to spade. After about a year with the new amp, I wanted to try the Benchmark speaker cables-Speakon to locking banana. How could Benchmark cables at less than $200, compare to Shunyata cables that were demo priced at $600? Of course, they don’t! With a 30 day trial on the Benchmark cables, I had plenty of listening time to compare.
The difference became obvious, and without going into a lot of explaining, the Shunyata cables were sold. Not the outcome I would have predicted. |
#59
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When I look at the number of views of this thread, it’s obvious that their is a lot of interest in Benchmark. Understandable, since my experience is in agreement with the reviews on their website.
In the past, some components have shown weaknesses after awhile. Not happening with any of my Benchmark components. If anything, it has made weaknesses in other component in my system. My phono preamp, for example, was a Audio by Van Alstine. In December, I replaced it with a Keces Ephono & Ephono power supply. Wow! It’s either a bargain at $700, or a much better match with Benchmark. Last edited by Denver; 04-24-2020 at 12:53 PM. |
#60
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I too am a convert to benchmark products. I have two of their ABH2 amps running a mono blocks, a DAC3 and the LA4 preamp. Incredible at any price. And I have owned plenty that cost plenty more.
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PTP Audio Solid 9 turntable Audiomods V5 tonearm Manley Chinook phono stage Ana Mighty Sounds Paris TNT 15 SilverS Cartridge Benchmark Dac 3 Silenzio Server by E Benchmark LA4 preamp Benchmark ABH2 amplifiers x 2 Volti Audio Rival speakers |
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