Benchmark AHB-2 Upgrade Question - Need Advice

[Tjf120]

I have a Revel 328Be and 426 Be L/R & C setup.

I currently have an Emotiva XPR-5 (400 WPC into 8 ohms). I’m looking at an amplifier upgrade to the Benchark AHB2 Amplifier. I feel like the rest of my system is ‘optimized’ and Amplifier is the current ‘weak link’. I think I’d need to go bridged mode for the 328Be’s.

Anyone looked at a similar upgrade? Thoughts?

 

[kyuu]

I don't think there will be any difference between your current amplifier and the AHB2 in terms of sound quality. You'll be trading peak power of questionable audibility for likely superior technical measurements that are almost certainly inaudible. Unless you're just flush with cash and want to trade out electronics for fun, I would suggest this is not the avenue to go down looking for superior sound quality.

If you haven't already, the best place to put your time and money would be room treatments and DSP/room correction.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

. I think I’d need to go bridged mode for the 328Be’s.

According to Amir’s reviews, the Benchmark is only rated to 6ohms in bridged mode but your speakers drop to 3ohms.

 

[kyuu]

According to Amir’s reviews, the Benchmark is only rated to 6ohms in bridged mode but your speakers drop to 3ohms.

Benchmark specifies the load should be a nominal 6 ohms when in bridged mono, not that it cannot dip below that. They also rate it at 518W into 4 ohms in bridged mono. I suspect it would be fine, though if the OP is serious about it they should probably make an inquiry with Benchmark just to be sure before making the purchase.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Benchmark specifies the load should be a nominal 6 ohms when in bridged mono, not that it cannot dip below that. They also rate it at 518W into 4 ohms in bridged mono. I suspect it would be fine, though if the OP is serious about it they should probably make an inquiry with Benchmark just to be sure before making the purchase.

Interesting that their webpage shows a 4 ohm rating but their manual only shows 6 ohm and in a few places the “faults” section it states “Make sure the nominal Bridged Mono load impedance is 6 Ohms or higher”
(For example over-current faults on page18)

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7609/files/AHB2_Manual_-_Rev_H.pdf?v=1602610101

Edit: “nominal” as you said - my bad. Sorry!!

As you say, best thing is to check with benchmark directly

 

[Martini]

The AHB2 is just fine running bridged-mono into the Revel F328be. It's the system I was using up until mid-October. They barely even get warm driving them. That said, the Revel's are pretty efficient even though the impedance is moderately challenging. Unless, you have a big room to fill with sound, one AHB2 may be enough. I loved my Benchmark/328be setup, but my listening room changed and now requires a more near-field arrangement, so I moved to a Genelec kit. I need to let go of my Benchmark stack: DAC3, LA4 & AHB2s and the Revels, I just haven't gotten around to posting them... The damn Genelec sub did a bad number on my back, so that's been my focus. Don't know how/when I'm going to be able to pack the Revels back in their crates .

 

[Jiraya369]

Honestly, you're just itching for an upgrade which can be better met with more subwoofers, some sort of room treatment if needed or a different speaker altogether like a KEF with narrow but controlled directivity.

I feel you on the desire to upgrade, when you have something great it's boringly good so you feel like something's missing and want to change/improve it. This is a consumerism hobby after all

 

[tineared]

I have a Revel 328Be and 426 Be L/R & C setup.

I currently have an Emotiva XPR-5 (400 WPC into 8 ohms). I’m looking at an amplifier upgrade to the Benchark AHB2 Amplifier. I feel like the rest of my system is ‘optimized’ and Amplifier is the current ‘weak link’. I think I’d need to go bridged mode for the 328Be’s.

Anyone looked at a similar upgrade? Thoughts?

I agree with @kyuu that moving to the bridged Benchmarks is unlikely to make any noticeable improvement.
Even going for a Bryston 14B-cubed amp (600W@8Ohms) would probably only yield modest results, but at least you'd be moving in the right direction (with a much lighter wallet)

 

[Tjf120]

I guess I was thinking of my Emotive as a 'starter Amp' - seen different thoughts/opinions on their quality.

I'm happy with my speakers and don't plan on changing them.

My room is huge, 18 ft ceilings - there is no back wall - it's a living room that has an opening to the kitchen. The main listening room is ~20x15x18 - but that 20 ft basically extends another 30 ft through the kitchen.

Seen where people spend >$20 k on amps with this type of speaker - wasn't sure if the raw power of the Emotivas hold up with producing a quality output.

 

[Matias]

This would be my choice: a 3 channel NCx500 based Apollon amp. With likely weeks waiting until it gets assembled and shipped, and paying tariffs and all.

Apollon Hypex NCOREx NCx500 Multichannel Amplifier (3-5 Channel) | Apollon Audio Hypex Purifi Premium Amplifiers

apollonaudio.com

 

[Oddball]

I guess I was thinking of my Emotive as a 'starter Amp' - seen different thoughts/opinions on their quality.

I'm happy with my speakers and don't plan on changing them.

My room is huge, 18 ft ceilings - there is no back wall - it's a living room that has an opening to the kitchen. The main listening room is ~20x15x18 - but that 20 ft basically extends another 30 ft through the kitchen.

Seen where people spend >$20 k on amps with this type of speaker - wasn't sure if the raw power of the Emotivas hold up with producing a quality output.

You should be happy with your speakers and questionable what would be the "upgrade" path for the speakers in your case. As noted, your amp is probably adequate for the task. What do you use as pre-amp/AVR in your setup? That is perhaps area for looking into alternatives. Not to mention dreaded room treatment.

 

[John_Siau]

According to Amir’s reviews, the Benchmark is only rated to 6ohms in bridged mode but your speakers drop to 3ohms.

In stereo mode, at full output voltage (28.28 Vrms), the AHB2 is designed to enter protection if the loads are lower than an EPDR of 1.1 Ohms. Lower impedances can be driven at reduced output voltages. An over-current indicator will flash if you approach this limit.

Unlike most amplifiers, the AHB2 stays clean when driving low impedances. The unique feed-forward error correction system prevents the usual rise in distortion that comes from driving low impedances. The AHB2 stays clean when driving low impedances and nasty phase angles. In almost all applications, the THD+N due to the amplifier will remain below the 0 dB SPL threshold of hearing. See this application note for an analysis of THD+N in dB SPL at the listening position using measurements from 8 top-rated power amplifiers:

How Loud is the Distortion from Your Power Amplifier?​

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

I have a Revel 328Be and 426 Be L/R & C setup.

I currently have an Emotiva XPR-5 (400 WPC into 8 ohms). I’m looking at an amplifier upgrade to the Benchark AHB2 Amplifier. I feel like the rest of my system is ‘optimized’ and Amplifier is the current ‘weak link’. I think I’d need to go bridged mode for the 328Be’s.

Anyone looked at a similar upgrade? Thoughts?

I can’t believe your xpr still works. Mine was very unreliable. Upgrade. Not a clean amp.

 

[waynel]

I'm happy with a pair of bridged AHB-2's driving my Salon Twos. Maybe its overkill but I can never hear any hiss in that system not to mention distortion,

 

[Everett T]

I have a Revel 328Be and 426 Be L/R & C setup.

I currently have an Emotiva XPR-5 (400 WPC into 8 ohms). I’m looking at an amplifier upgrade to the Benchark AHB2 Amplifier. I feel like the rest of my system is ‘optimized’ and Amplifier is the current ‘weak link’. I think I’d need to go bridged mode for the 328Be’s.

Anyone looked at a similar upgrade? Thoughts?

I'd start with a single ABH2 amp first. The 190w channel will easily handle your speakers. Since you have a fairly sensitive speaker you won't need a lot voltage to get loud.

The impedance is 3ohm average from 75hz to 250hz, you should be fine with the stereo configuration and according to Benchmark, bridged will too now.

As mentioned, you likely wint hear a difference compared to the Emotiva, but I'd get out of it as soon as possible. Reliability is hit and miss, and if you need repairs or warranty, good luck, some models they simply say "no" and if it's a warranty issue they say "no" but nicer

The latest Purifi model would also be on my list if I were shopping. I would get it with a 19"w case so I could rackmount it and the 19"w allows for easy internal mods.

Good luck with the search!

 

[AA63]

So, you're happy with your speakers - good. Pick up two NCx500 monos and never think about amps again, nothing you will get after that will make even a smidgen of difference.

For a room that size the only way to retain what you have AND project volume to the back of the room would be to get some subs (and manage them properly) - this will take most of the strain off the 328s 8"s - and you will have the power to push them to their limit. IMHO that should mark the limit for what you will be able to do with those speakers. If that is still not filling the room to your satisfaction, you will need to treat the room, and/or will need to either adjust your expectations or choose a different approach - because getting to the back of a 40' room is entering public address system territory if you are hell bent on just having speakers at one end of the room - meaning it will be intolerable near them - LOL.

 

[waynel]

So, you're happy with your speakers - good. Pick up two NCx500 monos and never think about amps again, nothing you will get after that will make even a smidgen of difference.

For a room that size the only way to retain what you have AND project volume to the back of the room would be to get some subs (and manage them properly) - this will take most of the strain off the 328s 8"s - and you will have the power to push them to their limit. IMHO that should mark the limit for what you will be able to do with those speakers. If that is still not filling the room to your satisfaction, you will need to treat the room, and/or will need to either adjust your expectations or choose a different approach - because getting to the back of a 40' room is entering public address system territory if you are hell bent on just having speakers at one end of the room - meaning it will be intolerable near them - LOL.

I'll bet the benchmark amp lasts longer than class d on average, so never think about amps again is a bit of a stretch

 

[AA63]

I'll bet the benchmark amp lasts longer than class d on average, so never think about amps again is a bit of a stretch

No need to be so argumentatively literal - LOL - everything is relative and I'm sure you clearly understood what I meant.

 

[waynel]

I think reliability is an important selling point.

 

[tineared]

I agree longevity is an important consideration, which is why I would choose 2 Purify 9040BA's and be done with it (assuming the OP doesn't need more than 380w).
Although obviously unproven, I have confidence that the ET Purify 9040BA's were so well designed that they will probably last a long time.