Benchmark ahb2 power amplifier?

Would love to hear your opinions on the Benchmark. I know a lot of people love it. My opinion is purely based comparing the DACs. I have owned their latest and greatest. It was good but does not hold a candle to the T+A in musicality. Too analytic and sterile. A few of us in the audio club have debated this. A few have owned the Benchmark DAC mainly because Jon Iverson recommends it. All but Jon have moved on to something else :). On a side note, Jon loves the T+A!
 
The Audia Flight is a great amp.

I’ll see how the next week or so goes work/economy/quarantine wise and decide next week.

In the meantime, I can play around some more.

The whole Benchmark package seems great. I love the Wyred stage 2 preamp and it should be a worthy partner for the AHB2 amp.


Jack said:
I know the feeling but I've already got enough stuff that may need packing. Also the Nuforce as it should have plenty of muscle paired with the Stage 2 since you don't play loud.

I really like the Linton's with the Audia Flight but will try the Kinki integrated next and see what the difference is.
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T+A is definitely great.

I really love my SIT3 on my Avantgarde. It’s such a wonderful amp. While my Duo open up a whole new world of options, there’s only a handful that I really love.

Randy Myers said:
Would love to hear your opinions on the Benchmark. I know a lot of people love it. My opinion is purely based comparing the DACs. I have owned their latest and greatest. It was good but does not hold a candle to the T+A in musicality. Too analytic and sterile. A few of us in the audio club have debated this. A few have owned the Benchmark DAC mainly because Jon Iverson recommends it. All but Jon have moved on to something else :). On a side note, Jon loves the T+A!
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Your right the Audia Flight has been a great piece for me but might as well try the Kinki since it's here and voiced similar to the Job amps. It's really good with the Fritz Carrera's and was with the Otello's too.

I agree if it works out the Benchmark is worth a try with them being local and the 30 day trial. I also doubt the Stage 2 wouldn't sound good with almost anything. My standard has worked with anything I have tried it with and it and the Benchmark should be dead quiet.
 
My Job INTegrated is going to need service but I love the Job sound.

That’s interesting that you compare the Kinki to Job. Kinki could be a great option.

I would love a Goldmund Telos 7 as the replacement for the Job INTegrated. But without even a modest deal, it’s way too expensive.

I’m afraid the Benchmark might be too neutral but without actually hearing one, it’s unfair of me to prejudge it. I actually need/love dead quiet gear, so my gut tells me that the Benchmark will actually be great. I may demo it to scratch the itch.

With summer coming up quickly, a cool running amp is welcome in my room. In winter, no amp is too hot. :)


Jack said:
Your right the Audia Flight has been a great piece for me but might as well try the Kinki since it's here and voiced similar to the Job amps. It's really good with the Fritz Carrera's and was with the Otello's too.

I agree if it works out the Benchmark is worth a try with them being local and the 30 day trial. I also doubt the Stage 2 wouldn't sound good with almost anything. My standard has worked with anything I have tried it with and it and the Benchmark should be dead quiet.
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Joe

What I hear from the Kinki compared to the Job 225 kind of mirrors what Srajen and Dawid from HiFi Knights heard with the Kinki in their rig and they both bought and still own it. In Dawid's rig it supplanted a $16,000 Triology hybrid integrated with his hard to drive Boenicke's. To me it is kind of a chameleon like the 225 in that it takes on the character of the rest of the system. The most recent review is from Doug Schroeder of Dagogo of the M1+ version that has the ability to operate as an integrated, preamp or separate amp. Like the other two he tested it with some fairly high dollar speakers.

https://www.dagogo.com/kinki-studio-ex-m1-integrated-amplifier-review/

You need to check with Bob at Rhapsody about service on the Job as back when it first came out and he was a Goldmund dealer he had a tech that could service the 225.
 
Thank you for the additional Kinki info.

I have to deal with Goldmund directly overseas. Bob no longer handles Goldmund. I imagine the new distributor in NYC might help but nothing comes free. It might not even be worth it at this point. I’m still emailing Goldmund trying to get a handle on what the cost might be plus my shipping cost.
 
I also really liked the Job amp and a while back was eyeing a used Goldmund. I have stated before that I feel the T+A has somewhat of the sound signature of the Goldmund/Job in that is appears to be fast and dynamic, but it is also better in my view. But they both fall in what I personally refer to as the European sound. Of course I do not have nearly the experience that you guys do with a variety of amps.
 
Joe,

Just wondering if the JOB stopped working or is there some other issue needing service. I am curious as I also have a JOB integrated.
Thanks,
Anshul

joeinid said:
Thank you for the additional Kinki info.

I have to deal with Goldmund directly overseas. Bob no longer handles Goldmund. I imagine the new distributor in NYC might help but nothing comes free. It might not even be worth it at this point. I’m still emailing Goldmund trying to get a handle on what the cost might be plus my shipping cost.
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I’m getting a little light popping noises during quiet time and occasionally a very light distortion through the tweeter on occasion. My assumption is it’s the dac but I honestly don’t know.
 
The model of integrated I have is an early one. The only additional input is converted to digital then reconverted to analog. Newer ones had a totally separate analog input that was separate from the dac section.

So on mine, it does it no matter what input.
 
joeinid said:
Have you been listening to these? Thoughts? They look really cool.
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Hey Joe
Yeah, I've been enjoying them. Running balanced out of a DV2, sound great to me (of course, to mangle a quote, I got ears like feet (eg, I think my ears are crap, though somehow I still enjoy the hell out of music)). Perfect cool-running little amps for the hot, stormy summer months.

Parker
 

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Excellent Parker!!! They look awesome. I’m sure the are great.
 
Joe. I used to have a Benchmark AHB2. Let me say that my experience is only that and others may love their Benchmarks!

I bought mine after a fellow Avantgarde speaker owner waxed lyrical about his new purchase. At the time there were no reviews and I rather jumped the gun after seeing its great features and the recommendation.

Sadly, I found it dull and lifeless to the extent I was inclined to turn DOWN the volume - surely the kiss of death in hi-fi!

It has great features in particular the easily adjustable gain setting, it is nice and small, offers ample power for efficient speakers and it is dead silent. In fact, I've concluded that my fellow AG owner is obsessed with silence to the extent he seems to overlook more important factors.

Having said this, nearly all reviews have been favourable and it is listed as Stereophile A recommended. However read carefully between the lines of its reviews. You may detect the suggestion that this amp seems to be more dependent on its partnering equipment than most amps. Just make sure you get a decent period of home trial before your buy. It certainly wasn't the worst of the dozen or so amps I bought or borrowed after deciding to move from tube to ss, but it certainly wasn't the best, even at similar prices. Hope this helps. Peter
 
I notice you are using AGD Audion amps with Avantgarde Mezzos. I've been considering these little amps for my AG Duos and would greatly appreciate your comments, in particular in relation to other amps you've used with the AGs.

I'm currently using a Class D NAD Master Series M32 after trying a dozen or so SS amps since deciding to switch from tubes. I'm looking at the new Purifi-based NAD M33, the Bakoon 13R or perhaps the AFD Audions - or maybe something completely different! Thanks. Peter
 
Joe. I used to have a Benchmark AHB2. Let me say that my experience is only that and others may love their Benchmarks!

I bought mine after a fellow Avantgarde speaker owner waxed lyrical about his new purchase. At the time there were no reviews and I rather jumped the gun after seeing its great features and the recommendation.

Sadly, I found it dull and lifeless to the extent I was inclined to turn DOWN the volume - surely the kiss of death in hi-fi!

It has great features in particular the easily adjustable gain setting, it is nice and small, offers ample power for efficient speakers and it is dead silent. In fact, I've concluded that my fellow AG owner is obsessed with silence to the extent he seems to overlook more important factors.

Having said this, nearly all reviews have been favourable and it is listed as Stereophile A recommended. However read carefully between the lines of its reviews. You may detect the suggestion that this amp seems to be more dependent on its partnering equipment than most amps. Just make sure you get a decent period of home trial before your buy. It certainly wasn't the worst of the dozen or so amps I bought or borrowed after deciding to move from tube to ss, but it certainly wasn't the best, even at similar prices. Hope this helps. Peter

 
Hello and welcome to the forum.

I’d love to know more about the AGD amps and the NAD amps you are using and the ones you are considering.

I hope to be able to demo the Benchmark in a day or two. I do have high hopes but you never know. I’m also considering a Luxman integrated, the 590 most likely.



Hear Here said:
I notice you are using AGD Audion amps with Avantgarde Mezzos. I've been considering these little amps for my AG Duos and would greatly appreciate your comments, in particular in relation to other amps you've used with the AGs.

I'm currently using a Class D NAD Master Series M32 after trying a dozen or so SS amps since deciding to switch from tubes. I'm looking at the new Purifi-based NAD M33, the Bakoon 13R or perhaps the AFD Audions - or maybe something completely different! Thanks. Peter
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