Benchmark Media Systems. Right or wrong

seems yogiboy we need a debate on the meaning of a comma in a sentence...

Debating challenged individuals would be a waste of time...

@

deep_333

So why did you remove your post? Hmmm!

I'm a Benchmark fanboi for sure.  Currently running DAC3 HGC as a DAC/Pre with the AHB2 amp to ATC speakers.  It's a dead quiet system across all inputs, and the S/N ratio is astounding, which allows me to to hear greater detail at lower 
SPL.  Star-quad interconnects, and speaker cables as I believe in that design after many years of stage and studio work.

"Walk up to your speakers. Do you hear a hiss, hum, or buzz. Your system should be dead quiet. With the current state of the art, the electronics should not be producing audible noise. If you hear noise, then you need to consider replacing some of your electronics. You are never going to cure this noise problem with a new fuse, or a new power cord. It is unlikely that you will even reduce it with a power conditioner. Instead, you will need to identify the offending component or components and make plans to replace them. Start by replacing components that only support unbalanced (RCA) analog interconnects. Replace any component that cannot deliver at least a 115 dB SNR."

@helomech

...don't get me started on ASR.  I just went down a ChiFi rabbit hole and can say most of ASR is blinded with very specific measurements that really aren't audible by the majority of people.  Don't dare say you can actually hear a difference with different DACs or you'll get ostracized.  What's funny is the Chinese manufacturers AND Amir actually release frequency graphs showing how they tune the sound of the same DACs ASR lauds and swears all sound the same.  (Specifically, Topping rolls off the highs a bit and fattens the bottom end on their flagship Sabre-based models compared to SMSL/VMV, which does the opposite, and I believe Topping also tunes the soundstage more for headphone users.) People on ASR also will admit the stock cables have a negative impact on sound, but also, don't dare bring up using a high-end cable and imply it actually makes a difference.

In the real world, people care about more than just SINAD and THD.  Stuff like product reliability, long term support, etc. matter.

Lastly, it’s my opinion and experience that the best Benchmark products are the LA4/HPA4 preamps. Their DAC3 is rather antiquated these days (and ugly AF) and the AHB2, while a good clean performer, doesn’t offer the dynamic grunt that many speakers (especially high end speakers) thrive on.

This is 100% my opinion too. I have owned the AHB2 about 5x and all 3 versions of the DACs. I still have the DAC3B since it serves a single purpose well (used with a tube headphone amp). The LA4/HPA4 are amazing gear. I no longer have any AHB2 since it was not the most dynamic with my Yamaha NS5000 or Magnepan LRS+. A CODA #16 and a Sanders Magtech overall were a better match.

A great pairing is Benchmark preamps with CODA amps. Similar to the Parasound A21 amp described above. I had the LA4 and the A21+ and that was good, so I eventually ended up with the CODA #16 and the LA4.

In fact, I have tried about 12 amps with the LA4, and all sounded good with the LA4. Cannot say the same level of success with other preamps I owned, such as the CODA 07x, Topping pre90, Schitt Mjolnir V3, Schitt Freya+, Bryston BP20, BAT VK-42SE.