Benchmark AHB2 amplifier - what to expect?

Due to a recent house move, I have been experimenting with two sets of stereo systems I have assembled over the years and found things quite interesting, especially with speakers, preamp and amplifiers matching, in my case Harbeth Compact 7-ES / B&W 702 S2, amplifiers MC MHA 150 / Benchmark ABH2 / Rotel 1552 MkII / PS Audio Stellar S300. Preamp is PS Audio BHK. Sources are HIFI Rose 250 streaming transport / Technics 1500 turntable / Audio Lab CD transport. DACs are Schitt Audio Multibit / Gustard X16.

IMHO BM ABH2 paired well with Harbeth speakers and BHK preamp, it delivered stunning sound stage and resolution, at the same time well preserve the musicality of the whole chain without sounding too analytical or bright for most of the recording quality and materials. When switching to BW 702s, the chain sounds good, but could be a bit too bright or fatiguing for certain recordings. Harbeth also tolerated class D amplifiers such as PS Audio Steller very well, even through its sensitivity is only 87db. So much for trusting the specifications.

So at the end my BW 702s sounds best with BHK preamp and Rotel 1552 MK II. The BM amplifier coupled with BW’s high sensitivity and sheer resolution power are just too much for my ears.

Hopefully this experience is helpful for other folks.

Just do it! 😉