Preamp or DAC?

The HPA4 is something you should consider over the LA4. I was going to get the LA4 because I was not into headphones. However, people were saying that the HPA4 has one of the best headphone amps so I thought I may one day get headphones and be bummed out if I got the LA4. The HPA4 is amazing as a preamp and also amazing as a headphone amp. It has the same THX circuit as your AHB2 but for headphones so you know how nice that is. I use the Meze Empyrean with the HPA4. Yesterday, I had a marathon 9 hour (till 5AM) listening session while I worked and the HPA4 + Meze made that task so much more enjoyable.

I used to own the DAC3 HGC (what you own) with the AHB2 and KEF LS50. I did not like the volume control on the HGC. It was not great at low volume and the tuning granularity of the volume was not fine enough to find the perfect level. THE HPA4 is amazing and fixes all the issues I had with the HGC, I have nothing bad to say about it.

In comparison I found the NEW SYSTEM much better than the OLD SYSTEM. The only reason was because of the HPA4 added to the mix. Even with a lesser amp than the AHB2 I still liked the NEW SYSTEM more.

NEW SYSTEM :
KEF LS50 + DAC3B (no volume) + HPA4 + CLASS D amp from PeachTree NOVA 150 (now sold). I have a AHB2 coming to replace the Peachtree

OLD SYSTEM:
KEF LS50 + DAC3 HGC + AHB2

I am not sure how much power your speakers need but I do know that the AHB2 in stereo is not that powerful. When I get new speakers I will add a second AHB2 to run in mono. For example a Magico A3 was not good with a single AHB2 but I imagine 2 would be much better.

BTW - use balanced XLR's for your Benchmark gear. Their StarQuad cables are very good. I also use Audience AU24e XLR's with them.

Thanks for that excellent input yyz....., just what I was hoping for.
I followed your advice and ordered the LA4.  Same with cables.  Since I was literally on the cusp of going one way or the other your quality information and recommendation tipped the balance.Thanks again!

Oh, to clarify, I don't use headphones so couldn't justify the added cost...

kellen OP

Save your money on any preamp, put it toward upgrading something else. The Benchmark Dac3 has a very good volume control, and it's output stage would put many preamps to shame..

Benchmark Dac3 volume control
HGC™ Hybrid Gain Control HGC™ is Benchmark’s unique hybrid gain control that combines analog and digital gain control into a single volume control knob. The HGC™ system uses an active analog gain control for analog inputs and a 32-bit dithered volume control for digital inputs. Both types of inputs leverage the low-impedance passive Manual for DAC3 HGC and DAC3 L with 2.X Firmware - Rev. D Page 7 analog attenuation system at the XLR outputs. The dual-domain HGC™ system combines the high dynamic range of Benchmark’s HDR™ analog control (used in the DAC1 HDR) with the low distortion and accuracy of a digital control. HGC™ outperforms traditional analog or digital volume controls, including the twostage DAC1 HDR™ system. Musical details are preserved over a very wide range of output levels. Analog inputs are controlled in the analog domain. Digital inputs are controlled in both domains. The volume control is a servo-driven analog potentiometer. This control rotates in response to commands from the remote control while providing the convenience of manual adjustments with a physical knob.

60ohms output impedance, with up to 18v output available, this is more that enough for any amp ever, would even drive a First Watt F? Nelson Pass amp that has virtually no gain

Cheers George