Pass Labs XA25 vs Benchmark AHB2

You can use 2 AHB2 for much more power without degrading sound as compared to a single AHB2 in stereo. Some posters on here say mono is worse than stereo. I disagree on that view with regards to the AHB2.

I do not recommend the AHB2 in mono or even stereo for very difficult speakers going down to 2 Ohm. This is in-spite of what Benchmark says on the matter. I have 2 AHB2s and speak from my experience with a difficult speaker.

I have a CODA 07x preamp that is warm sounding. I pair it with a single AHB2 for my RAAL SR1a headphones and I love it. Prior to this pairing I disliked the AHB2 with the SR1a. I blamed that on the SR1a because the AHB2 does not add or subtract. So what I am hearing now out of the uber detailed SR1a is only the CODA 07x + AudioMirror Tubadour III SE tube DAC sound signature. I actually had a 3rd AHB2 which I tried to make work with the SR1a and never could. I sold it before I got the CODA 07x, a big mistake on my part.

The AHB2 is also a very smooth sounding amp. It is not warm though so some may say it is analytical.

With my KEF LS50’s I love my all Benchmark gear on it. I plan on replacing the LS50s with the much bigger Yamaha NS5000 and use an all BM stack in mono (need that 3rd AHB2 again).

@vad58 This will answer your question about a tube preamp and the AHB2.

How Should I Buy an Audio System? - Benchmark Media Systems

I use a CODA 07x SET preamp (warm) and AudioMirror Tubadour III SE tube DAC (warm) with an AHB2 to tame my RAAL SR1a headphones. I realize now after a lot of tests that I am not taming the AHB2. It has no sound to it. It just gives you the cumulative sound up the chain. I disliked the AHB2 on the SR1a with other DACs and preamps and wires until this current combo.

I also have an all BM stack and I think that is where the AHB2(s) really shines. It is different from the warm sound most like.