Pass Labs XA25 vs Benchmark AHB2

@acurus yes, I spent significant time with the xa25. Compared to the ahb2, it’s definitely warmer. It’s shades in the gray scale, not black vs white...

@mesch My speakers are Focal Electras 1028BE. The room is 15x15. And I'm not a AC/DC fan. So your experience is really encouraging. Thanx a lot.

@thenewguy007 One can here about leaner AHB2 sound all the time. I wonder if tube preamp would compensate this leanness?

@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.

Thank you everybody for sharing your experience.