2. amps-preamps
  3. 154062-79040

Benchmark ABH2 compared to Merrill Element Series and other ultra high end amps

The Benchmark ABH2 has received enthusiastic reviews from a number of sources as have the Merrill Element series of amplifiers.  Both are lauded for their low background noise, transparency and neutrality.  However the Benchmark amp, even allowing for its lower power rating, is a fraction of the price of the Merrill Element Series even when one uses two in a bridged monoblock configuration.  Has anyone directly compared the Benchmark ABH2 to the Merrill Element amps or other ultra high end amps such as Soulution, Constellation, etc ?
soundhound

Showing 3 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,026 posts
 
@dr_joe I hope you can post some info on the comparison. I am interested in the LA4 vs something in the Boulder 1012 price range, the Mola Mola Makua. 
yyzsantabarbara
5,026 posts
 
@soundhound Did you ever try the LA4 and AHB2 with the XLR cables that Benchmark recommends? Such as the low cost Benchmark Star Quad XLR's?

This is info I gathered from the Benchmark website regarding the XLR's to use..
Professional grade XLR, that support 24 dBu signal level and have CMRR specifications on balanced inputs?

I have much more expensive Audience XLR's compared to the Star Quad on my new DAC3B and HPA4 peamp and while it sounds great I want to hear the configuration Benchmark is suggesting is the best combo for their gear. I think Benchmark considers my Audience XLR's consumer grade gear.

BTW - I bought the HPA4 a few days ago and your comments  on how the LA4 sounded with the CODA 15.5 helped me get that instead of the 2 more expensive alternatives I was favoring. I love the HPA4. I am listening to headphones now late at night and it is great musical experience with the HPA4. Slowly starting to buy the gear I mentioned.
yyzsantabarbara
5,026 posts
 
@soundhound Thanks for the feedback. It is what D Schieder (sp?) said in his Dagago review but that was only 1 person's feedback. I am also using good interconnects, Audience Au24SE (not sure of exact model). It sounds great. I contacted Audience to ask if these XLR's can carry a 24 dBu signal and the person responding to me did not know, though I imagine someone there would know.

I can add to the AHB2 with demanding speaker. I demoed a single stereo AHB2 with Magico A3 and compared it to the 2 Mark Levinson amps that were under consideration.  The 585 integrated and the $20K mono blocks. The AHB2 was the worst performer. However, at home on my KEF LS50's the AHB2 sounded much better. I attributed this bad showing to not enough power in stereo for the A3.

I sold the ABH2 after that demo. However, now that I have the HPA4 preamp I will be getting the AHB2 again to pair with the LS50 speaker. On that speaker the AHB2 sounds excellent.
More to discover