SHOULD be the LAST Power Amplifier Audiophiles Buy..."BUT." Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier Review 

*Hey guys! Let me know your experiences with Benchmark products or The most transparent amplifier you've heard - I'm curious!* Benchmark AHB2: benchmarkmedia.com/collections/all-products/products/benchmark-ahb2-power-amplifier More details about Benchmark Technologies: benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/what-is-a-benchmark Benchmark SpeakON Speaker Cables: benchmarkmedia.com/products/benchmark-speaker-cable-nl2-to-banana-2-pole KLH Model 5 Measurements: www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2666:nrc-measurements-klh-model-five-loudspeakers&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153 0:00 Lowest Distortion Amplifier For Home and Studio? 1:58 Benchmark AHB2 Technology 3:32 How Powerful (Watts) is the Benchmark AHB2 5:21 Best Cable To Use With Benchmark AHB2 7:25 Benchmark AHB2 Sensitivity/Gain Setting 10:26 Benchmark AHB2 Options and Build 12:14 Benchmark Sound Review 16:47 Best Speakers For Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/jayiyagi follow on Instagram: instagram.com/jays_iyagi/ follow on Facebook: facebook.com/jayiyagiofficial Follow soundstage take 2 reviews: ru-vid.com/group/PLPOzvlhtSqn5xdc__ftuSt4Rxy_wm5Af0 Speaker stands: amzn.to/3ssRhI3 Better speaker stands: solidsteel.it/my-product/ss-7-vintage-hi-fi-speaker-stands/ acoustic panels I use: ua-acoustics.com/ acoustic curtain: amzn.to/31d1zAM BDI Cabinet I use: bit.ly/2OJRwQQ amzn.to/3chBuFZ other BDI Cabinets: bit.ly/3ctxXV1 amzn.to/30bsUCH my fav hifi tweaks: (Isoacoustics devices) amzn.to/3j5FGvM

I have had Benchmark products as well as other studio equipment. Another way to look at this: because the Benchmark is a straight wire with gain, it is a way to eliminate one variable from the audio chain in your sound. If you have a speaker, or a dac or a pre with a presentation you like, the Benchmark will not change it. It will take one ingredient out of the complicated audio soup.

Incredibly powerful, ultraclean tight tolerances, built like a tank Running a pair in mono block for the Susvara, I have heard many many high end systems pushing these, but in my experience, as of yet nothing has touched this set up for now By one, you will not regret it, most importantly, it’s got every safety feature under the Sun, with a high end pre-integrated into the system, you can use it as a headphone amplifier for some of the hardest to drive headphones with more headroom than you can possibly imagine 🐅🥃😉

Your review understates just how amazing the specs are on this amp. They are not simply “good” they are instrument quality good. Beyond frequency response and distortion you need to look at peak current and output impedance which make it easy to mate with almost any speaker. This amp should be considered the reference. Everything else is adding coloration ( which may sound nice )

I have an AHB2 paired with a Benchmark HPA4 preamp and a Benchmark DAC3 B into a pair of JBL 4349s. The Benchmark gear is brutally transparent, and yes it makes some recordings sound like absolute trash. Van Halen's "1984" comes to mind as sounding comically bad through this setup. However, you can manipulate any track by how you're feeding it into your system. Vinyl can easily be manipulated (for better or for worse) by cartidges, tonearms, preamps, you name it. And for digital I've added a MiniDSP DDRC-22D Dirac Live module to "flavor" the sound exactly how I want it. With the Benchmark gear you get the true sound of the source you're using, with other gear it's the source plus the gear. There's no wrong way to listen, it's what sounds good to you that matters.

I started with one AHB2. I liked it so much that I ordered a second unit for my second system. My first system has the Triangle Comète 40th anniversary speakers. The soundstage was eerily good, wide and a match made in heaven in my smaller room with high frequency air floating around my ears. Moving to my Dynaudio Special 40th, the AHB2 required an uptick in volume setting (less sensitive speakers) and it sounded good, and for some folks, they'll love the Dyns over the Triangles immediately due to a more impactful bass presence. I did note that the soundstage was narrower even with more bass being present with the Dyns. I then had the idea to use the AHB2 in mono-bloc (bridged) mode with the Dynaudios and they scaled up very nicely; the soundstage vastly improved. Moving to DSD material further enhanced the sound, especially the bass resolution. My source is an RME ADI-2 DAC as my pre-dac and Audirvana on a MacBook Pro to stream DSD 64 from my redbook rips (16 bit, 44.1 kHz). PS: The Triangles did not benefit much with the mono-bloc configurations, hence it's a match made in heaven with one AHB2. I do NOT ever find the sound harsh; just honest and some material is just WOW! YMMV.

Great review Jay! Never heard anyone go into that amount of detail regarding its electronic/ speaker connection options and the things you need to be aware of. Very useful! Its probably gonna be my next amp too.

I have an AHB2 as the foundation of my system. The best sound I get is when I plug my dac (RME ADC-2 FS) directly into the amp using balanced interconnects.The dac has volume, bass , treble , eq and other features which makes the preamp superfluous. I have a simple swith box for switching in phono, and tape. But streaming with the direct connection (with WIIM PLUS) gives me very satisfying results into Heresy IV's. Its a huge room but the Hereseys/Benchmark covers it. Try DAC directly to amp topology. Its amazing

Here is what John Siau has to say about depth when it comes amps "Stereo depth is very dependent upon a precise phase matching between the right and left channels at all frequencies in the audio band. Differential (left/right) phase errors will blur the location left to right and especially front to back. Left to right positioning can be overridden by left to right amplitude differences. Depth can only be conveyed by accurately preserving the phase response in both channels all the way from a stereo microphone pair to the pair of loudspeakers. You also must be seated in the sweet spot to hear depth. Many very fine studio recordings have absolutely no depth because the left/right stereo image was entirely created with pan pots. The left/right positions of the musical voices are entirely determined by the left/right amplitude differences. Some fine examples are all of the tracks on Steely Dan's "Two Against Nature". This CD is a great recording but it has absolutely no stereo depth when played on a system with an accurate phase response. Systems with a poor phase response may give these tracks a false sense of depth. This false sense of depth is easily identifiable because each musical voice will fill the entire depth instead of locating to a specific distance behind the plane of the speakers. If you want a good explanation of depth and a good demonstration play tracks 4 and 5 of "The Ultimate Demonstration Disk" from Chesky Classics. In fact, the entire disk contains tracks that have wonderful stereo depth with pinpoint focus of location. These recordings were made with stereo microphone arrays and the stereo images were simply captured (not created with pan pots). It is now possible to artificially create stereo recordings that have depth. DSP techniques can be used to place a musical voice anywhere in a 3-D space. This 3-D space can then be rendered by a pair of stereo speakers or by an array of speakers (Atmos). 3-D position is determined by phase and amplitude. Left/right phase errors will expand the size of each musical voice (blurring its location). Whenever a musical voice is mixed to the phantom center of the stereo image, this image is easily blurred by differential phase errors. If the high frequencies seem to come from the speakers instead of from the phantom center image, this is an indication that there is a left/right differential phase error at high frequencies. I have some recordings that are essentially mono in stereo. In other words, the entire mix is dead center. Phase errors immediately destroy this phantom center image by moving some frequencies away from the center and toward the speakers. Some of the tracks on Eric Clapton's "Old Sock" CD are useful for this test." From this alone, many will not like what they hear because it does not exist on the recording in the first place. The lack of distortion and noise can and will take away (added) dimensionality from the music too. It is a straight wire with gain.

I love my AHB2. It’s very neutral. No extra extension of the highs. Mids aren’t a bit more forward or recessed. No extra bass. Love the compact size too.

Hi, Jay! First of all, I’d like to say I really liked your review, as you were completely honest and forthcoming. And yes, I do think you also mention a “crucial” point that is often overlooked, which is, precisely, the definition of the word audiophile. Many define themselves as audiophiles, but the way I see it, they only do that because they lack a better terminology to define them, so they stick with the “next best thing”, especially since it’s already widely accepted. I wanted to highlight this, as you define the Benchmark AHB2 as an audiophile piece and, in fact, it’s one of the few brands that procure that. So, almost all the audiophiles claim to seek the audio nirvana, which is to reproduce the music “as is”, but when they finally find it, they realize that it wasn’t music “as is” they were searching for, it was something else... and I’m okay with that, as long as they admit it, like you did. The background noise levels Benchmark gears present are simply out of this world... and unmatched, but the great majority of audiophiles makes fun of it and labels it as marketing hype. So, true facts, objective data, they’re now being passed on as hype, and we’re left with the impression that those levels of background noise mean nothing in the real world listening. And how incoherent is that? But isn’t the audiophile world filled with these incoherencies, after all? Indeed it is... and, as I said, as long as you know what you’re searching for and what you’re satisfied with, it’s all good, what I can’t agree with, is the existing lobbying behind the scenes trying to diminish and discredit the ones which are actually trying to build products faithful to the true meaning of the word audiophile. At first, I introduced the DAC 3L in my system, which replaced my Copland CTA-305 Pre-amplifier and Naim DAC. The Bryston 4B SST power amplifier remained. This change alone brought a night and day difference to my system, and it clearly confirmed me what I have already thought, that this was indeed the right direction through neutrality and transparency! I really loved my Bryston, and I was actually a little reticent to do the change, but when I did, another giant leap was given! And, yes, when you finally pair them, you do understand the reason why they are meant to be together, it’s because that’s the only way you’ll be able to enjoy the silence and neutrality throughout the whole chain! So, and despite you do reckon the AHB2 is not the right amplifier for you, I still wished you could hear it paired with the DAC 3L. The change is so drastic, that you will have to reeducate your ears... but if you give it enough time, chances are it will grow on you, and will become your new benchmark... pun intended :) So, I think the emotional link you mention will still be there, and if you’re open to it, it might even gain more depth and meaning, as new nuances are discovered, just as recovering an old photo and discovering elements you didn’t even know were there. To finish, I do agree with your friend, yes, truth sometimes hurts... but I think it’s always better than to discover, later, we’ve been living a lie.

what a fascinating review! thanks for adding your voice. i had not yet heard any hardware critic remark in this way on this amp

My old Luxman 5m20 and 5m21 are like that too. True 1:1 however their age is worrying me despite being rebuilt. I really wanted to find a replacement and I had a hunch this was the one. You confirmed this for me. thanks

I reviewed this for SoundStage! and fully agree with Jay. This really is a “ruthlessly revealing” amplifier as the audiophile cliche goes. It’s unbelievably clear and transparent sounding, as well as dead silent. If you like that - and I do - you cannot do better. If like Jay you enjoy more bloom, well…look elsewhere. The only things to keep in mind: 1) in bridged mode, current ability and damping factor will go down, so only run two if your speakers are not terribly difficult to drive. 2) I found this amp kind of shockingly neutral. Some might interpret it as analytical, and fair enough I guess, but in reality it’s just the absence of any discernible distortion which makes this thing so vivid to listen to. It’s not harsh sounding in the slightest, just crazy clear and clean.

Thanks, Jay. Happy New Year too! 🎉❤🎉

Back in 2020, I started with one AHB2. By late 2022, I had the full Benchmark equipment in my system - DAC 3 B, LA4, and two AHB2 in mono. They are driving the Thiel Audio CS2.7 speakers. Just like many other comments here, it is ruthless and transparent sounding. It is not made to please. I am in a love-hate relationship with this setup because when the recording is fantastic, you're in for a great ride. Sometimes, a ride out of this world. And when the recording is "meh", it really is... meh. IMO, the Benchmark is not for everyone. However, I do think that it offers a great deal of learning points to take away, especially so when adopting a mindset of a curious and knowledge hungry student. On the other hand, when one has Benchmark AHB2 in the system, i think it offers a crossroad (or junction) for many people in this journey to reflect and to seek what they really want - Is it reference? Or preference? How much of this and/or that do I want? Everyone walk their own path in this journey. Pick the one that leaves you feeling contented, and happiness will follow closely behind. Cheers. Thank you Jay for this video. It has brought fellow Benchmark users together.

Man, this is so astute. Dead on. Really great example of amp for this discussion. Personally, trying to find “the balance” between accuracy and tonal richness. Ideally, would be great to have one (or two) of these as a complement/alternative to a nice tube power amp.

I am using AHB2 for 6 months. And I fully agree with Jay's opinion. Now I exchanged it for Burson timekeeper 3x gt. In my system it's not the day and night. But I like Burson sound better. Although the usability of Benchmark is better. The external power supply of Burson is inconvenient for me. I am using Musician Monoceros as a preamp and Bryston Mini T speakers.

As a speaker designer, these amps are golden nuggets. Like an artist paints a picture under natural light, the designer needs to design in absolute reference.

This was one of the better reviews I've experienced, and I've been reading/watching/listening to audio reviews since the 1970's. Thank you for this.

I love your channel. Great and honest review. Yes, 100%.... This amp is so perfect you literally have to get used to it. I run Wilson wp6s on mine and sometimes Susvara headphones. Personally, I go for detail and realism vs. euphonia. Possibly my last amp. I would say swap out your DAC if you like to "soften" the sound, I shouldn't say too many nice things as want to buy another and don't want to drive the price up too much :)

I have the AHB2 amp and what I can say is that you must pair it with the LA4 preamp. I tried many combinations of preamps and direct DAC - power amp connections. The Amp always revealed that the other components where a bottleneck. As soon as I purchased the LA4 heaven descended to my living room. The LA4 is an atonishing product and every AHB2 should be used with it. Any other preamp-AHB2 combination will left performance on the table. I even tried the pre-90 from Topping that, on theory (by measurements) is more transparent, and the AHB2 revealed without mercy all that preamp flaws. I would never sell my AHB2 as is easily the best amplifier I have heard and I have been an 'audiophile' for 23 years upgrading my system two or three times per year. I have the AHB2 for almost a year already and that says a lot!. But remember you must use the LA4 preamp. No other preamp is at the level. I suspect that the author of this video didn't tried that combination. I am sure that if he had, the AHB2 will still be with him.

Your observations align quite similarly to mine. I have a DAC2 HGC. I've found it to be exceedingly accurate, but ultimately too accurate. I tried the Denafrips Pontus II, and ultimately decided it was more fun, even if seemed to exaggerate things. (Music is supposed to be fun, after all.) I built a Neurochrome Modulus-686 power amp, which uses a feed forward design like the Benchmark AHB2. Curiously, it's also very accurate, clean, and powerful, but again wasn't as fun as the many Avondale Audio amps that I've built. Finally, I had been using the DAC2 HGC as an analog pre-amp as well (a strange feature in a DAC, but quite handy). When I switched to the Denafrips Pontus II, I needed a pre-amp. Given my DAC and power-amp were both adding "fun" to the presentation, I figured I should probably get something neutral. I ended up with a Benchmark HPA4, which has done exactly what I wanted. I was also pleased to discover that it was even better than the pre-amp section in the DAC2.

Good review Jay. You surprised us. Yet again you proved amplification is about taste!. It can be the best ever but still not your cup of tea. Thanks for sharing the journey.

This is the irony, the more accurate my system has become as I made "improvements", the less of my music collection I can listen to....It's been a shocking truth for me and I'm now going a very different route of low power, simple tube amps and high efficiency speakers.....

Super helpful, truthful and informative video. Thanks a lot !

Hi Jay, thanks for the review! I totally understand you selling off the Benchmark amps, they my be truthful to to the music, but then what fun is that! Like you I am a tube audiophile, right now it’s the Carver Crimson 275 driving my Maggie LRS, or when I want punch and detail a McIntosh mc352 driving the bass section of La Scala’s and the Carver driving the mid & tweeter. I also enjoy a pair of class D DIY mono blocks in the mix. I also use REL Tzero subs. I cannot live with just one amp, or one set of speakers, or one DAC, or one turntable. I have to play with the sound so it sounds good to me! That’s why I love my McIntosh c50 preamp with the 8 band tone control!

It’s the SPL Audio 800 Performer for me. Desktop amp with a a smallish foot print with power to spare…all analogue class A/B with enough power on tap in stereo operation this bi-polar transistor power amplifier delivers up to 2x 185 watts into 8 ohms…2x 285 W into 4 ohms speakers. In Bridge Mode it delivers 450 W into a 8 ohms speaker. It has input trim switches. I use the Benchmark RCA to balanced cable from a LTA MZ3 preamp.

I started with benchmark. Ended up with McIntosh. I felt like the benchmark struggled with 2 ohm load Thiels. Nothing but love for benchmark though. But probably be sticking with Mac. I like the looks and the sound.

Sounds interesting to compare AHB2 with NAD M23, which also has a great measurement.

I like the look of the benchmark stuff. Minimalist, purposeful and compact. FYI if you have very difficult to drive speakers 4 ohm or lower then using the bridge mode is not going to do anything for you, infact it will likely make it worse as the minimum ohms the amp is rated at (3 here by the look of it) will be doubled so your now powering your 4 ohm speakers on an amp that completely runs out of steam at 6 ohms....

My ahb2 is about six years old. My Benchmark LA4 is about 4 years old. Highly recommend Benchmarks cables and interconnects. They sounded better than the Shunyata that I had been using.

Agree w/ your final conclusion, Jay. I have a fair bit of experience w/ Benchmark amps in various studios in N. America/U.K. & presently, Japan. Great for mixing & mastering through hi-quality studio monitors from companies like, ATC, Pro-Ac, Dynaudio & Amphion. However, as you so rightly pointed out, I couldn't have one (or 2 [in monoblock mode]), as I want to enjoy the warmth and depth of soundstage, etc., with my present preferred balance of synergy I have in the non-professional studio, 'home audio category", pre/power amp combination. Great review, really on-the-money right across the board! Nice goin' - All the very best from a long-time subscriber/first-time commenter in Japan!, G. (Orig. from Scotland).

Would love to see it reviewed with the LA4 pre amp

Good to know Jay. This power amplifier is on my radar. Wondering about including Holo May KTE and Holo Serene KTE .... and even open baffle speakers. I may be a crazy.

Agree about the too true...my Audiophonic Class D mates well with my small fabers BUT I wish I could afford that pair of 300 watt Mc tube amps that the musicroom has right now!

When I replaced my vintage Luxman I had to decide between the ABH2 and Bel Canto Ref 600M mono blocks. I went with Bel Canto. I would love to hear you compare the two.

I have the nad c298 amplifier with the purifi class d module! I had one benchmark before! And i have to say that the nad has that little extra warmth wich the bench didnt have! I dont no if that extra warmth is a distortion thing because the dist in the nad is one of the lowest you can find. But the nad coupled with my nuforce dac10 pre sounds sublime together with my quad z3 floorstanders! Its like looking out of a washed window! If its depth in the recording you get that several meters back from the speakers feeling or ift a flat pop recordings you def hear that😁.

I'm just beginning to search components for a high end build. My goal is to piece together a system that's the best value for the money spent. This amp is very appealing. The fact that it's upgradable to mono blocks is a plus. I'm also shopping for a DAC, preamp and speakers. I also like tube preamps. My most listened to type of music is classical, mostly strings. But I also listen to soft jazz. Occasionally classic rock. What components would be a good match for these amps as mono blocks for my type of music?

how to give a review of something that does nothing. I LOVE my AHB2. Perfect review.

Hey Jay, I like your final take here and was curious before viewing as in earlier video reviews of other equipment incl. Burson mono blocks if memory serves, it seemed based on some prelim feedback you found these potentially bland/clinical. I own a pair of these and use mono block config with a Holo Audio Serene KTE and regardless of use with May KTE DAC or my Vertere DG-1 with matching Phono 1 phono pre, I find these exciting and crisp and clean and dynamic...but also invisible to a large extent in the audio chain. The downside of this as you indicated is these amps (especially through the Serene) can really expose any not-up-to-par source gear and/or recordings. But, when you have well recorded/mastered/produced music and good source gear it is utter heaven. I also own a Burson Soloist GT headphone amp (the reference pre/HPamp from Burson for their mono blocks). For a few months I did use as my preamp for the AHB2s before acquiring the Serene. But, it is this switch that confirmed to me that I really value transparency above all. Although the Burson Soloist is great and I love it, especially for headphone use, the switch in my chain to the Serene that is as the AHB2s renowned for its transparency just floored me. Interestingly, the next stage in my audio journey will be a tube amp (or tube mono blocks) so I can have this flavor, specifically in looking for that euphoric holographic quality of tubes.. not instead of the AHB2s but as a compliment. I guess I'm tube curious and I also realize that some less well recorded less well mastered and produced music may be more enjoyable and listenable! There's some music I now have a hard time to listen to! You are so right when you say sometimes we can't handle the truth lol! If you have any suggestions or recos for what Tube amps I should consider that would be great.. My speakers are not exactly "easy" to drive @ 88 sensitivity and 4-8 ohms impedance, but not super hard either (Canton Reference 5K towers). The Tube amp would be for late evening listening at moderate to low volumes. Two I've started to look at are McIntosh MC275 and Willsenton R800i but just starting out. Thanks!

Great review!

After 20 years with levinson 33h I switched to a twin benchmarks running BW801 . I agree with Jay it is a great amp . The benchmark has zeo coloration if you like tubes it wont be your amplifier

Nice review, Jay. I steered from the Benchmark for the same reason. During your testing, did you get a chance to pair it with a warmish tube preamp? Did that take some of the edge off?

Great video. Would like to see a comparison between AHB2 & Ayre AX-5 Twenty. I know one is an integrated & otter is a power amp & their price range is also different, but the power output is relatively comparable..Thanks

Perfect amplifier to use with DSP, Room Correction or a quality EQ......You start at "zero" and modify it from there. But like you, I'm a fan of certain distortions that's why I have Class A amps and Tube amps......Recently bought a Buchardt i150 integrated amp with NCore class D amplification. Extremely clean...and lifeless...but it also has room correction and a fantastic parameteric EQ so you can mess with the sound any way to want.....Great video! Keep up the good work!

Jay - I had some fellow music lovers over to test ABH2 vs Mac solid state amp (200x2). Wilson speakers, dedicated listening room, all good gear. I was so sure the Benchmark would destroy the McIntosh solid state. I was totally wrong!!!!! Unanimous among my friends, they all felt the Benchmark sounded sterile and a little fatiguing. These guys are not big mac guys but all felt the Mc was fantastic. Me personally, I agree, but only after feeling fatigued after longer listening to the Benchmark. The ABH2 is going back to my headphone setup where it really shines with Susvara cans. Anyway, a little feedback that may help your listeners. Oh, Mcintosh mc 252 is the model.

Would like to try two of them for my mid and high active Horns

Benchmark for my ears sound dry therefore a bit boring. But those NAT amps you have are something. When can we expect a video about them? 😊 Keep up the good work!

I just love how dope the amps sound. So dope

Well explained !

I received mine this weekend, and am in love. It's connected to a MiniDSP Flex HT doing DAC and pre amp duties. Connected to Focal Kanta N°1. It works really well, and so far I haven't found anything that sounds unbearable with it. Including Metal. Everything sounds better to me.

You could pair with a Freya plus, for worser recordings use tube setting and then switch Freya to passive or Jfet mode for great recordings.

I wish they made an integrated amp in a similar form factor. Something basic, an XLR and RCA or two connection would do. Hookup a preferred dac or streamer, perhaps a TT even and away you go. It could be an introductory product at 65-80 watts even. I do not need anymore personally.

Jay- I have this amp, and this is not for everyone. I chose this because it was in search for an amp that is truly a straight wire with gain. And the AHB2 is it. As a comparison (side be side), i have a Pass Xa30 and , yes, it is it’s Polar opposite . So choosing this amp must be though of first because it does have a n effect on the system being analytical, dry, emotionless, BUT all these can be adjusted by tuning your front end(TUbes) . When i listen to it, my expectations are set to listen to the recording, how it was made and what the Artist intended it to be.

Hi Jay! I'm new to your channel, and getting caught up with all the informative videos. I think the discussion of forgiving and non-forgiving components is one that should be further explored. I have been slowly improving my system and currently I have a Bryston BDC3 player, a Michi P5 preamp, and a Bryston 4B3 amp. My speakers are B&W 803 D4 paired with a B&W sub. I have a treated room. The sound I get with this setup is astounding and exacting - so of course, poor recordings are cringe-worthy at best. So if I wanted to get more forgiving sound, given what I presently have, what would you recommend I change?

Thank you for your great review! I don’t know if is better to buy 2 AHB2’s amps or the new Naim 250 amp for my Naim NSC 222 preamp. What is your recommendation? Thanks for your support.

Torn between this and the denafrips Apollo. Leaning towards a more laid back sound that debafrips has

Wow... it's only taken 20 years for this tech to make it into a new amp. Noticed that ELAC made a new BASH amplifier as well. Hopefully they catch on more.

Hi Jay, It would be amazing if you at some point would do a video together with Vilip 🙏 now that he’s no longer working for Adrian 🤭 … I’m sure many of your long time followers also like and admire Vilip . Hopefully he’s well and we will see him again soon 🙏 Regards from Sweden

You need to try an ASR emitter 2 exclusive amplifier, I own a set, and it is glorious, to say the least. I have tried many different high-end amplifiers, and this one has truly amazing sound. Be warned that you need 4 shelves for this amplifier. 2x powersupplies, one for each channel, 1x battery powersupply and head unit. Handmade in germany, more than 1 million uF capacitance. Regards Michael

I stand corrected and thank you. Well done Jay. Instead of throwing stones you gave a detail explanation of why perfection may not be what some people want in every situation. Music can be more than perfection and I will look differently on tubies from now on. If we all understood this the way you articulated, less time would be spent throwing stones at the ASR groups and vice versa. Thank you, and again, well done!

The Benchmark is a great piece of audiophile amplifier. I also like the Westminster Lab.

Good review, man. Appreciate it. ~Peace

Hello Jay. Great video. I've a question: Why audiophile wire is wide and solid if into speakers usually it's very weak?

I'm curious how this amp compares to the new NAD M23, which also measures well.

I think to fully realise the potential of this amp, you had to pair with them with the bookshelves they were selling, but unfortunately, I think they have discontinued the speakers.

I had the AHB2 twice. Once with stereo, once running it with mono blocks. It's extremely clean, precise and non-fatique. At the same time, it's just too boring. I already have one for my home studio setup, would like to have something with more character (or distortion as some will say) in my other system :)

You really need to hear that amp with the LA4. I have both. I do have to say though that I didn’t like the benchmark DAC3. It’s too flat sounding. Just mentioning that because I’m not an all out Benchmark fan for all things they make. But the AHB2 and LA4 paired together are quite amazing. The LA4 besides being neutral amazed me with its speed accuracy. That is what wowed me more than anything.

A lot depends on how long it lasts. Today';s electronics do not have the same rigour in design for longevity compared to older and often simpler designs of the past. Too many Class D products and SMPS based products end up decaying in performance and reaching EOL much sooner than we would hope for. I got kind of excited hearing about this one :D being a hybrid design and an effort to do something differently. It seems we are in the era of Hypex/Purifi modules being stacked in a box by various OEM's...

What Jay achieved by selling his AHB2s (better sounding bad recordings) could be done using different means: using the tube amps as he has done or using some other DACs, adding equalizers, DSPs, and tube pre-amps. The viewers, who own these amps and want to achieve similar results as Jay, need to know this.

After listening to a bunch of systems, my end game rig went for a Nagra set. If I would have gone the tube avenue, I would have got Audio Note.

Hey Jay, Anyang Haseo ! So let me send you a Jeff Rowland Model 125. It will be the new "Best class D" you have heard. I got 2 seperate clients out of Benchmark into Rowland as Rowland has more of an organic nature to his class D due to his proprietary input section. I see you have added some NAT Audio tube amps to your mix. Good choice... 👍

ou are very true genuine Audiophile you should be very proud for transmitting the real truth of your knowledge with wisdom with a touch of your essence from your heart!

If you were building an analytical system I think the Topping D90 or Benchmark DAC might be a good match, what Speakers would you suggest?

For what ever reason would you like to have the lowest possible distortion? When you really starts to understand how and in what way distortion effect the sound you will stop aim for the lowerst possible distortion. 0,05% at listening level is good enough, but what's much more important is what type of harmonic distortion and the relation of different distortion.

Nice to see it repeated (he mentioned it in a Sonus Faber review) - accurate and/or flat frequency response and low distortion does not mean you'll enjoy a piece of equipment more.

I have just bought the Peachtree GaN-1 PowerDAC. That could probably be the last amplifier I would own in my search for a perfect amplifier.

It always amuses me when audiophiles talk about artist intent. I think it's reasonable to assume that most artists intend for the listener to enjoy their music in whatever way they can do that best. It also only makes sense for the studio to err on the side of vanilla neutrality and allow the end user's system to flavor it to taste. Those of us listening at home should therefore not be afraid to seek out the sound we like best. Obviously, if the system is very colored it will be more hit and miss with different recordings and genres. I've only heard Benchmark headphone gear and then only at Canjam. But my impressions were pretty similar to Jay's. Detailed, accurate, capable, supremely boring. Not knocking Benchmark. I think their name is perfect for their design goals and they meet those goals. They just kinda belong in the studio more than the home, IMO.

What amps have been nicest with the KLH Model 5s?

Hey Jay, how does it compare to the Kinky Studio amp?

very nice review, Jay. That is one impressive amplifier. Looks great too. Do you have any experience with the Jeff Rowland 125 power amp?

Please review the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC MK2? 🤗👍

Great video Jay!!! I was wondering if you still keep contact with your old colleagues at Audio Excellence?

I have the entire Benchmark setup [DAC, preamp, AHB2] and I do not consider my system to be a "tool" - it is for listening to and enjoying music, and as others have said, you'd be hard pressed to better this at any price point, period. Even when you have an amp such as the AHB2 which ticks all the boxes for specifications and sound quality, there will still be those who prefer music with coloration. If it captures the live performance/recording exactly as intended, isn't that the holy grail? To each his own.

I love the AHB2. Jay mentions he prefers tube amps. So did I before listening with the AHB2. Now, when I compare my PrimaLuna tube amp with the AHB2, the distortion and coloration of the tubes is starkly apparent. I take issue with those who say the AHB2 sounds dry or analytical. It sounds neutral and natural. Other amplifiers add color and distortion, neither of which is natural or neutral. It’s true, coloration can be pleasing, but if you spend enough time with the AHB2 you learn that color actually takes away from the true sound (or maybe it’s better to say coloration adds things to the sound that shouldn’t be there). I should also add that as good as the AHB2 sounds, pairing it with the LA4 Preamp makes it even better. They have a synergy together that is incredible. I also had a Pontus II, but the AHB2 exposed how colored it is. I’m now using the Benchmark Dac2 HGC and the system matching of the components is unbeatable - lively, holographic, dynamic, detailed, transparent - through my Harbeth SHL5plus speakers.

Add a second pair of Levinson ML2 and bridge this pair and the first pair for 100 wpc. I would like to hear the 4 ML2 combination vs. the AHB2.

how does this compare to amplifiers with a Purifi module ?

Good review, Jay, albeit a bit long-winded and repetitive. Keep ‘em coming.

What preamps did you test with the Benchmark?

Jay you might be the only person in the whole internet that tried the AHB2 with the KLH Model Five. I own the Benchmark and I want to buy the KLH. Please tell me if you think it's a bad pairing. I read in your comments that the best amp you tried with them is the Thallo but that won't fit in my furniture unfortunately. The Model Five will replace my Harbeths P3esr 40th. I love my sound but I want it bigger and more dynamic. You said the AHB2 will bring out the sound of the speakers, do you think they have enough character of their own to not result boring? Please please please, I won't tell anyone! :)

For driving a demanding speaker like a Wilson Alexa my Perreaux 2150B would be a better match: 340/680/920wpc@8/4/2ohms. Nothing beats plenty of power!

Did you try the Benchmarks with a tube preamp?

I tried them too cold and sterile for me sure more power than my Joule Electra 160 grand Marquis mono OTL amps but the beauty of the sound the big OTLs produce was like sitting in the back of a Rolls Royce Phantom and then jumping in the back of a Honda Civic being the Benchmark amps both can take you to where you're going but one does it with class and gives so much more pleasure. Many people today will like the benchmark and as time goes on many more will as the amount of carrying thoughtful intelligent gentle people is becoming less and less.

Benchmark may be the best for specs but I think the goal of most pro gear is to be as neutral as possible and also to be able to drive fairly all kinds of loads. Most are 20-20K response at plus or minus 0.5db or even less - some as low as 0.1db.

Will two of these drive b&w 801 matrix s2 since those speakers are notorious hard to drive

It would be cool to see what's inside and see how it's built.

I would love to see how the Benchmark compares to the Van Alstibe DVA M225 MONOBLOCK SOLID STATE AMPLIFIER.

How well is the Benchmark with Magnepan LRS? Magnepan requires power.

Thanks for the detailed review Jay - 😃