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)

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.