BTW - someone asked me a PM question on some things I said on this thread. I am going to post my reply since someone else may find it useful.
1) I had the DAC3 HGC + AHB2 combp 3 years ago and sold it when my son was born because I lost my music room. I used the default pad setting since that is the best one for the all Benchmark stack.
2) Since my auditory memory is from 3 years ago. I cannot get into specifics of sound but I can say that listening late at night for example I was always adjusting the volume to find a good level. I was usually unhappy at the low volume settings since the sound seemed to collapse a bit. I also felt like I was listening to audio components. Though I liked them a lot. My mind was getting into thoughts of what I did not like I guess.
Now with the HPA4 + amp section of my now sold Peachtree Nova 150. The volume issue at low volume was not a concern. I could always find a good setting and did not feel like the sound collapsed when turned down. One thing I have noticed is that I do not feel like I am listening to audio components anymore. I am 100% focused on the music. Now the Peachtree class D amp, while quiet, is not great. The sound was very enjoyable. I am excited to hear the AHB2 with the HPA4 at the end of this month when my order is shipped.
Since the HPA4 preamp is quieter than the DAC3B I have, I think what is happening is that the better circuitry on the preamp, compared to the DAC3 HGC, is sending a better signal to the amps. It does not matter if it is my analog tuner or my digital streams, both sound great.
Some reviewers were starting that the LA4 makes DACs sound better and you may find a lower cost DAC to be improved with the LA4. I can see that given the quieter specs of the preamp to every DAC out there. I was thinking of using the DAC3B as a second system DAC but after listening with the HPA4 I am wondering why I need to spend more money on the digital side. I bought the DAC3B after I sold the HGC and was not very excited about buying it, but I wanted to try an all Benchmark system again with the HPA4. I am glad I did.