Benchmark AHB2 - To 'mono' or not to 'mono'

For a long time now, on more than one thread, my opinion is that George continues to be wrong. The amps are better in Mono. I reviewed them for Dagogo.com, and I believe I am correct that George has never used them.  

wwoodrum, do not chintz out and get the AQ splitters. If you have considerable funds in your system, get a superior product. Having compared directly several times in several systems the AQ splitters (RCA) to various Y cables (I have also compared the AQ RCA Y cables, and they are average), I suggest you get a superior product, namely the Audio Sensibility Y Cables. 

I reviewed the Audio Sensibility Y cables, both XLR and RCA for Dagogo.com in connection with my Schroeder Method of Interconnect Placement (which I have done with the Mono Benchmark amps- revolutionizes their performance), and continue to use them. They are superb and worth the money. You will have superior sound quality using the Audio Sensibility Y cables. Yes, they are much more expensive, but are much better. I would not skimp on that.

I am not attempting to make this a bash George thread, as I have seen him give good advice. But in this particular detail I believe my advice is better, obviously because I have extensive experience.

You can elect to have AQ manufacture some custom XLR Y cables for you from the cable of your choice. That is not cheap at all, possibly far more expensive than the Audio Sensibility Y cables. They might outperform, but that is not a given. The AQ Y cables I had made are far more stiff and that creates issues in some setups where you have to bend the Y cable. Given these options you would be wise to avoid the hard splitters. I have used other splitters as well, and prefer Y cables holistically.  

In conclusion, you have several more significant steps to yield higher performance. You have not yet come close to maximizing the potential of the AHB2. You will also want to pay attention to power cords on the amps, even though -as you might suspect - some declare that it makes no difference. It does.

Anyway, it's on now to the all important listening session!   :) 

You likely have the settings wrong/not optimized. Have you read up on the Owner's Manual to understand how to use the three position output switch in the back? I always tried all three positions with speakers, and there is a world of difference in performance/sound between the three positions. If you are using the wrong setting, then the amps will inhibited, weak on the bottom end, etc.  

I recall that if you are using XLR ICs there is one output position that is not recommended to be used. Perhaps this is the problem. If you haven't read the owner's manual, read it. Also, can you be sure that the internal output pads have not been adjusted? That is another aspect of the amp that you will want to read about. 

Also, most definitely work with the interconnects and power cords. Try at least three different power cords on the amps. 

Lastly, read up on the Schroeder Method of Interconnect Placement. Doubling the IC transforms the performance of the AHB2. It is a "do at your own risk" activity, but excellent results are being reported under the thread that bears my name in the Cable forum. 

No need to freak out; there are many settings and many permutations before you declare the amp is not good in Mono. If you work through all the permutations I'm sure you will find it to yield superb sound.  :) 

BTW, I advise you ignore break in and work actively to do changes that you will hear immediately.