My humble review of the Benchmark AHB2 and LH4

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Tone?, Jun 1, 2021.

  1. Tone?

    Tone? Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    San Francisco

    Well I’ll have to try a Pass XA25 someday to hear what all the fuss is about

    cool
     
    avanti1960 likes this.
  2. Harris11235

    Harris11235 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    Well, now you know. Having too little range on the volume dial is a major annoyance for me.
     
    Glmoneydawg and timind like this.
  3. timind

    timind phorum rezident

    too much like a pro amp in my system - It was designed as a pro amp, so yeah. Although I wouldn't expect much change, I'm a bit surprised you're not going to run it in for a few days. I've only ever changed my mind with speakers after break in, never with any piece of electronic gear.
     
    Tone? likes this.
  4. Tone?

    Tone? Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    San Francisco

    To each their own.
    A pro amp to me means transparency and accuracy.

    coloring is also a nice sound as well though.


    I mean that honestly. To each their own. We don’t have to all like the same thing.
    I do want to try the pass labs amp out of curiosity
     
    johnnypaddock and timind like this.
  5. Helom

    Helom Forum member

    Location:
    U.S.
    The XA25 is my end-game amp as long as I’m using 89+ sensitivity speakers. Just an amazing amp IMO and I credit you for convincing me to get one.
     
    avanti1960 likes this.
  6. Tone?

    Tone? Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    San Francisco
    It’s only 25 watts tho.
     
  7. Glmoneydawg

    Glmoneydawg Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ontario Canada
    Very conservative rating...i believe it's closer to 80 watts which is plenty for most speakers.
     
    Ingenieur and Tone? like this.
  8. Black Elk

    Black Elk Music Lover

    Location:
    Bay Area, U.S.A.
    Which is why they make this:

    XS300 - Pass Labs

    [​IMG]


    (only one channel shown!)
     
    Tone? and Glmoneydawg like this.
  9. Tone?

    Tone? Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    San Francisco

    Ha!

    is that like a million dollars?
     
  10. Black Elk

    Black Elk Music Lover

    Location:
    Bay Area, U.S.A.
    Only if you use it and have to pay the electric bill! :D



    It was $85k for a stereo pair (4 chassis) when launched. Could be even more in this current economic climate.
     
    Tone? likes this.
  11. Glmoneydawg

    Glmoneydawg Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ontario Canada
    Horrifyingly 300lbs a side!!....probably sounds great though ;)
     
  12. timind

    timind phorum rezident

    I've always been a straight wire with gain type as far as electronics go. The speakers are where I get my flavor from. I figure if the signal from the amplification is as close to the original source as possible, and with the Benchmark gear I believe that's what I'm getting, then I'm hearing the true nature of the speakers. That's my audio philosophy, not for everyone I understand.
     
  13. Tone?

    Tone? Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    San Francisco

    Yeah same here.
    I want my amp and preamp to not add a single thing.
    I get enough color from the speakers and then add a dash of color maybe from a DAC or source.

    i don’t want to go on this crazy system matching circular chase.

    that being said I do want to try the pass just to see what everyone is raving about.

    But yeah from the few amps I’ve heard, the benchmark sounds the most real by far.
    Playing music for so long I kinda know what instruments sound like. Not to mention feel like under my fingers.
     
    johnnypaddock and timind like this.
  14. richsto

    richsto Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Good discussion here. Considered an AHB2 but just didn’t have the power and current capability to adequately drive my Thiels so I went another route. I am, however currently giving the HPA4 preamp a trial to replace my aging Musical Fidelity pre.

    Even after all the glowing reviews, I am a bit surprised by by its neutrality despite being utterly revealing. Was expecting it to be a little analytical and cold with the Thiels but not so.

    Still evaluating if it’s the right match in my system but highly recommended to anyone looking for a reference pre. Stunning.
     
  15. Tone?

    Tone? Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    San Francisco

    In my experience it’s anything but cold
    I thought that might be the case with all the silly talk about anything that is transparent is cold. Makes no sense actually.
     
    timind likes this.
  16. tIANcI

    tIANcI Wondering when the hifi madness will end

    Location:
    Malaysia
    All this talk about LA4 n HPA4 makes me wanna replace my Oppo HA-1 soon! I still got a pair of the Benchmark SMS1. It will be a full Benchmark system save for the DAC.
     
    Tone? likes this.
  17. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    Yes but with limited streaming services, mainly a file server / player but excellent sounding. Sony HAP-Z1ES.
     
    Tone? likes this.
  18. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    It was tested by Stereophile putting out 80 watts at 8 ohms and 130 watts per channel at 4 ohms, 1% THD. It also has a gradual distortion curve.
     
    Tone? likes this.
  19. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    agreed, there are times when I could use more power though but not very many. i am finished chasing amps except for an upgrade to another pass when one becomes available. they are sold out through december.
     
    Glmoneydawg likes this.
  20. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    I thought about giving it / them more time but the miss-match with my preamp is too apparent. Listening at low volume levels certain music or notes will break through and sound much louder than
    they should. Reminds me of watching a movie on a HT system where you can't hear the dialogue but yet a thunderous explosion blows the roof off.
    This amp would work well with a passive preamp.
     
    timind likes this.
  21. Ingenieur

    Ingenieur Just a dog looking for a home...

    Location:
    Back in PA
    that spec is misleading.
    70 W <0.1% at any Z, Class A
    SN 97 dB

    it is an impressive device.

    Pass Laboratories XA25 power amplifier Measurements


    When listening my meters seldom exceed -20 dB or 1.2 W avg (2.4 peak)
    The most it has drawn is 20 W (40 peak)
    75 dBA SPL, 100 dBZ peaks
    Speakers are 86 dB eff
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 30, 2022
    Ilusndweller likes this.
  22. Glmoneydawg

    Glmoneydawg Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ontario Canada
    Good call bud....it's stressful trying to improve a system/sound that you're already happy with.Sometimes it's "good enough "...relax and enjoy your music and wait patiently for a bigger Pass amp IF it's necessary:)
     
    Ilusndweller likes this.
  23. Harris11235

    Harris11235 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    I use an RME ADI-2 FS as the preamp and DAC with my AHB2, and it sounds crazy good at low levels. It’s hard to imagine what you’re hearing is the fault of the amp, but it doesn’t really matter. You’ve got the rest of the system built to taste and the amp doesn’t fit. If you keep it, the only options are to put up with it or try to chase fixes in the rest of your system. Neither of those make sense.
     
    tIANcI, Ilusndweller, Tone? and 2 others like this.
  24. Tone?

    Tone? Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    San Francisco

    I still think that since you have the amps it’s worth getting an LA4 pre just to properly listen to them
    Would be a shame to not see what they can do through your speakers while you have the amps.

    I mean it’s all about having fun as well as you didn’t even really hear what they can do.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2022
    Harris11235 likes this.
  25. Helom

    Helom Forum member

    Location:
    U.S.
    Most pre-owned Pass gear is in pretty good shape. And it’s my understanding that Pass is often willing to perform check-ups on older amps at no cost. Just something to consider if the model you’re seeking pops up on the used market.

    Another thought: room setup can have a huge impact on a system’s net efficiency. I probably gained a good 2 or 3db sensitivity by setting up my system along the long wall of my room. This forced my seating position closer to the opposing wall, with only about 1.5’ behind my head. That actually resulted in an overall improvement rather than the detriment I was expecting. I was also able to place my speakers closer to the forward wall and that resulted in more linear bass response. With the possible exception of soundstage width, everything about my system’s sound has improved with this placement, compared to when it fired down the length of the room.
     
    avanti1960 and Tone? like this.

Share This Page

molar-endocrine