wouldn't you want to bypass the volume on the dac now that you have a pre? or is that what you meant by running it at the optimum level?
The dac3 has firmware which sets the optimum output when used in preamp compatibility mode. Oddly, it's not with the volume control at max. I'm trusting them.
I think I ultimately preferred a Bel Canto preamp even though the LA4 is higher resolution and they sound very similar, it’s sort of splitting hairs really. The Bel Canto just seemed more engaging though I’m going off emotions really. Could be my girlfriend’s new dog is driving me mad, IDK…I might end up regretting the decision, but for some reason I can’t pinpoint, I’ve just been thinking maybe I made a mistake returning the Bel Canto.
As the owner of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, I say that thing has to go! (these aren't mine, but you get the idea)
My neighbor has a CKC. Even though she’s not very friendly I bet she’d be easier to live with. All I know is I got 99 problems and a b!+# is one.
An unfriendly Cavalier? Something must be up for that to happen. They were bred as lap dogs, and love attention (from anyone). I found this photo of mine from a previous dog thread (sadly, Winsome has passed away since, she's on the left): We used to have a tri-color too, but she has also passed on. There are photos of all of them in the dog threads in Off Topic.
oh those doggos are cute @Black Elk -with that liver coloring they kind of look like mini Brittany spaniels with long hair
They are Beautiful. I am in fact a dog lover. We also have a Schnoodle who is the sweetest most incredibly affectionate dog. I’m just not accustomed to the commotion of a rambunctious puppy. Prior to last year, I had lived mostly alone for about 11 years. Suppose we better let Nick have his thread back.
I'm borrowing an AHB2 from a friend to power the ESL57. I'm not changing my listening habits to go to music I would test for except for one comparison, just enjoying what I'm in the mood to hear (Chopin, Morton Feldman, Ligeti, some Schubert songs, Beethoven Piano Sonatas). It's a really good sounding amp, the vocals in particular are super important and classical vocals have no processing done to them and I'm not missing anything. There is a new cycle of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas on a stunning sounding Fazioli and the amp does a fine job differentiating timbral differences between different pianos well. Very good at differentiating mastering as well, there was some discussion of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On in the OneStep thread recently, compared the MFSL SACD and sure enough the original Matousek CD is better on this amp just like the Atma-spheres so it's doing a superb job of showing off the superior mastering and the greater in room presence this CD has in the vocals. Don't want to write more than that with just three days on it. Ultimately if I don't lose anything with the Atmas I could see switching to this, especially since I want to move some place with warm weather year round.
Hello to All, this is my first post here. I just bought AHB2, LA4 and DAC3 HGC and I really like the sound. For the phono stage I use EAR Yoshino 912. Combo AHB2 and tube preamp EAR 912 is one of the best what I have ever heard. The sound it’s to my taste, which is the only thing that matters. I also believe not everyone would like it. Sound is fast, natural, organic, dynamic, transparent. Speakers I use are Danley SM60f, Dalquist Dq-10, Altec Lansing 19, Quad ESL 57, Phy Hp. Turntables are Thorens 124 and Garrard 401.
You guys are responsible for making me spend more money! I just placed an order for an AHB2 with Music Direct (they had ONE in stock, while at the same time Benchmark has a five week backorder). If I enjoy it as much as I’m hoping, I’ll be selling my Dynaco ST-70 Series III. Although I loved it for the couple years I’ve owned it, my Harbeth M30.1 just seem to need more power. And, the AHB2 should look right at home with my DAC3 HGC. I’ll report back after I receive the AHB2 and do some listening.
What pre are you planning on using with the new amp? I've had my AHB2 for quite a while now and have no desire to replace it.
Just the DAC3 HGC for now. I spoke with a tech at Benchmark and he said most people should be completely satisfied with the DAC3 HGC as a preamp. He did say the LA4 is a definite step up, however I could certainly live with just the DAC3 into the AHB2 for a while, and then if I feel a need for something a little better, I could then add the LA4 later. So that’s what I’m planning on doing.
I'm saving up to get a Benchmark DAC3 HGC and AHB2 but with a tube preamp in between when the mood strikes. Would a Schitt Freya + be the best way to go for under $1K? It has a passive mode that I assume lets me switch from "pure measurement bliss" to "tubey bliss" without having to totally disconnect the Schitt. Does that make sense or am I missing something?
If you wanted to use the HGC as a preamp, you could look into an iFi iTube buffer to play around with different tube colorations. The clarity of the DAC3 and AHB2 would be a great platform to hear the different sound signatures that little box can produce. It's single ended only, if that's important to you.
When placing my order for the AHB2 I spoke with Rory (sales manager) who said the dac3 would be fine fronting the amp. He also said it would be better with the LA4. I used the dac3 for a few weeks but wasn't satisfied with the sound so I did some research on an affordable fully balanced amp and bought a Wyred4Sound mPre as an interim preamp. I also looked at the Schiit Freya+ but didn't like what I read all that much. I'm still planning on getting a Benchmark pre, but not in a hurry.
I can use the HGC as the preamp so maybe a tube buffer is the way to go. I'm not too familiar with them but at least I know what to search for.