Benchmark HPA4 vs. SST Thoebe II

I haven't heard either. The thing I notice is the bass and treble controls on the Thoebe II. Those could be nice when listening to sub-optimal recordings.

Do you have headphones, if not, the LA4 is the same as the HPA4 but $500 cheaper. I have never heard the SST but the HPA4, which I own, is a great piece and has no sonic signature. It is the quietest preamp I have ever heard and that makes a huge difference for my enjoyment of music. Every piece I connect to the preamp sounds better than with other preamps I have owned. You are only hearing the sources not the preamp. The volume control is also the best one I have owned. Better than the one on my old BAT VK-42SE SS preamp which was more than 2x more expensive a decade ago.

If you are into headphones. It sounds incredible with my Meze Empy. I have only heard the Bryston BHA-1 headphone amp side by side and I liked the 0 fatiguing HPA4. The BHA-1 had some fatigue.