Review and Measurements of Benchmark AHB2 Amp

[Martyn980]

Guys, has anyone measured the consumption of the amplifier? What is its maximum power consumption and what can be the short-term peaks of nutrition?
I want to pass it through a pair of separating transformers, and for this you need to know the maximum values.
Now one AHB2 works on a 1kVa pair. I bought another AHB2, I'm worried that 1kVa won't be enough for two.
Thank you in advance.

 

[restorer-john]

I want to pass it through a pair of separating transformers

What exactly are you trying to achieve? It looks like you have 240V : 230V. Are those 1kVA TXFs autoformers or isolation? Series connected separate transformers is never a good idea IMO.

 

[Martyn980]

What exactly are you trying to achieve? It looks like you have 240V : 230V. Are those 1kVA TXFs autoformers or isolation? Series connected separate transformers is never a good idea IMO.

I don't have autotransformers. These are separating transformers with a reduction from 230v to 100-120v, as the sound of the whole system is much better than without them. I need readings of the maximum power of the AHB2 power supply.

 

[Ground Noise Industries]

What is the goal? Schematic would be helpful. Be careful with mains voltages. Be careful to not create a Frankenstein power supply that defeats safety features of the mains or break code. Otherwise, it looks good but must be enclosed to save lives. One finger could get you a Darwin Award nomination for 2025.

 

[Martyn980]

What is the goal? Schematic would be helpful. Be careful with mains voltages. Be careful to not create a Frankenstein power supply that defeats safety features of the mains or break code. Otherwise, it looks good but must be enclosed to save lives. One finger could get you a Darwin Award nomination for 2025.

I'm sorry, but I didn't ask for advice. I only need the peak values of the AHB2 power supply.

 

[Martyn980]

What is the goal?

Improve the sound quality of the entire system.

 

[BillH]

Improve the sound quality of the entire system.

How does that work? I’m not familiar with the science behind that.

 

[gfinlays]

Perhaps @John_Siau could comment on whether there is any measured performance difference in the AHB2 depending on supply voltage. I suspect I know the answer already.....

Certainly, he will be able to provide the power consumption figures, though obviously that will be affected by how the amps are configured - stereo/bridged mono and the load impedance they're driving

 

[Martyn980]

How does that work? I’m not familiar with the science behind that.

It will take a lot of time to clarify.
First of all, we need two identical isolation transformers with about twice the power of consumers. I think you can see the connection diagram from the photo.
Also, for the convenience of switching, I put a bus unit, the equipment is already powered from it.

And also, I have implemented a dedicated power line on a separate phase to the listening room.

 

[Martyn980]

Perhaps @John_Siau could comment on whether there is any measured performance difference in the AHB2 depending on supply voltage. I suspect I know the answer already.....

Certainly, he will be able to provide the power consumption figures, though obviously that will be affected by how the amps are configured - stereo/bridged mono and the load impedance they're driving

It would be very nice to hear the comment of @John_Siau, two AHB2S will work in the system in bridge mode, the load will be in the form of a Dynaudio Contour 30i 4 Om and a sensitivity of 87 dB @ 2.83V/1m

 

[gfinlays]

It would be very nice to hear the comment of @John_Siau two AHB2S will work in the system in bridge mode, the load will be in the form of a Dynaudio Contour 30i 4 Om and a sensitivity of 87 dB @ 2.83V/1m

There's a system calculator on Benchmark's website which will tell you how much power you need for a given listening level at a given distance.

 

[Martyn980]

There's a system calculator on Benchmark's website which will tell you how much power you need for a given listening level at a given distance.

Could you help me, I haven't found such a calculator?

 

[gfinlays]

Could you help me, I haven't found such a calculator?

Here ya go:

System Performance Calculations

Will my audio system produce audible noise? Will my audio system produce audible distortion? How will my audio components work together as a system? How loud will my audio system play? Use Benchmark's online audio calculators to find answers! If we know the output power of an amplifier, as well...

benchmarkmedia.com

 

[Martyn980]

Here ya go:

System Performance Calculations

Will my audio system produce audible noise? Will my audio system produce audible distortion? How will my audio components work together as a system? How loud will my audio system play? Use Benchmark's online audio calculators to find answers! If we know the output power of an amplifier, as well...

benchmarkmedia.com

All calculators are opened, which one should I use?

 

[JP]

None of those calculators will tell you what you've asked. I'd reach out to Benchmark directly - they're very responsive and helpful. Not sure they'll have all the info you want, as they're not that in to solving problems that don't exist.

 

[gfinlays]

None of those calculators will tell you what you've asked. I'd reach out to Benchmark directly - they're very responsive and helpful. Not sure they'll have all the info you want, as they're not that in to solving problems that don't exist.

The reason I suggested the calculators is that they would give an idea of likely actual power consumption vs theoretical maximum.

Given the 480W bridged rating into 6 ohm (in theory, you'd get more from 4 ohm, but I expect you'd be thermally limited), maximum average power consumption is probably somewhere around 550W.

The Dynaudio Contour 30i claims an IEC power rating of 300W - I suspect that's the short-term rating - this is considerably less than the AHB2s can deliver.

The 1 kVA transformer pair (if that's their continuous rating) should be more than ample to drive the AHB2s.

 

[Ground Noise Industries]

T8AH250v​

This is a 8 Amp, ceramic body, time delay fuse with high breaking capacity and a 250 volt rating. The following product requires two of these fuses:

• AHB2

Benchmark Replacement Fuses and Fuse Drawers

Fuse Selection Guide Please select the product name and fuse quantity before adding to cart! Fuses are sold individually, order in pairs. Always replace fuses in pairs. Always replace with proper size and type. Order spares. T500mA250v This is a 500mA, glass body, time delay fuse with a 250-volt...

benchmarkmedia.com

 

[Ground Noise Industries]

None of those calculators will tell you what you've asked. I'd reach out to Benchmark directly - they're very responsive and helpful. Not sure they'll have all the info you want, as they're not that in to solving problems that don't exist.

Maybe Benchmark can discover why the amp in question ‘sounds better’ at 120VAC vs 240VAC. Might be cheaper to have the amp serviced. In my experiance, if the fuse blows, there is a problem that isn’t solved with a new fuse. The problem is downstream, not upstream.

 

[JP]

Maybe Benchmark can discover why the amp in question ‘sounds better’ at 120VAC vs 240VAC. Might be cheaper to have the amp serviced. In my experiance, if the fuse blows, there is a problem that isn’t solved with a new fuse. The problem is downstream, not upstream.

I guess I missed the post about fuses blowing. From what I've read, this is most likely a wetware issue.

 

[Martyn980]

I don't understand those people who don't have an answer to a question and instead start suggesting something. A specific question was asked, if I was interested in anything else, I would definitely ask. I didn't mean to offend anyone, let's treat each other with respect).