Benchmark LA4 vs Bryston BP-26

I owned the BP-20 with MPS-2 power supply. I have heard the BP-17 with Bryston Cubed gear. Bryston's Gary Dayton said the BP-17 was their best preamp (2 years ago)  until the BP-26 is refreshed. 

I own the HPA4 (LA4 + headphone). For me it is no contest. The HPA4 is the very best piece of gear I have ever owned. The most expensive preamp I owned was a BAT VK-42SE which was $7K I think. The HPA4 has no sound signature so that may not float your boat but for me that is what I am after.

Others are comparing it to $20K preamps. I am going to buy a second one (likely LA4) for my downstairs rig. Since I just finished building my office rig today, I am now thinking of the downstairs rig.

BTW - TAS is reviewing the LA4 this month. I bet it is a rave (but it only costs $2500)

Thanks for the info. I think I can sell my BP-26 for more than the cost of the Benchmark. I like the overall sound of the Bryston. When comparing the two, do you feel the Bryston imparts any sonic signature?  I feel like the Bryston has a very good low noise floor....Just trying to identify what makes the Benchmark better than the Bryston. 

The Bryston sounds like Grand Central Station compared to the LA4 in terms of noise, and the Bryston is pretty good in that regard. The BP-20 gave me fatigue and was a little rough on top. The LA4 is none of those. I cannot figure out anything I dislike about it.

I would use the LA4 on any system, including a mega expensive one. That is because I do not want my preamp to add anything to the signal.

Do a 30 day home trial with the LA4 and compare side by side with the BP-26. I did a similar comparison for headphones with the Bryston BHA-1 and the Benchmark HPA4. I sold the BHA-1.

BTW - I was at a Bryston demo with Gary Dayton when he made that comment to me about the BP-17.

I  ordered the LA 4 from Music Direct, partly because they give you a 60 day home trial instead of 30 offered by most others.  Good experience. It arrived on time and I’m keeping it (to replace an Audio Research preamp which was old but still working well).