Review and Measurements of Benchmark AHB2 Amp

[ex audiophile]

From the experience the amplifiers influence the sound a lot. I have had owned a lot. Just to number some quad 303, quad 405, quad 909, Stellar m700, Tube el34, tube kt88. Each one had different sound.
I do believe that distortion is a main factor but also electronic components, the signal path etc.
My question was and still is if Hypex nc400 is alternative to ahb2 soundwise. The messurmants are impressive
But did somebody actually tested it in listening room? What are the impressions?

If you are determined to look for a "sound" coming from an amplifier then the AHB2 is not for you. Amir said it well, "Well the Benchmark AHB2 at levels that assuredly passes full transparency. So if that is your moto, you better stop buying boutique products with no specs and independent measurements and get an AHB2. Everything you hear then will be what is in your source, not the dirty dishes that your amp my serve your food on. "

 

[Puska]

I'm looking for perfect sound! Is Hypex nc400 close in sound to ahb2?

 

[Purité Audio]

All low distortion solid state amps are going to sound pretty much identical ( if not identical) if they are capable of driving the partnering loudspeaker.
Keith

 

[Puska]

Goldenear Triton Reference.

 

[Thomas Savage]

@Puska if your after sighted listening valuations and what people ' reckon' a amp sounds like then this is probably one of the least likely forums you will find that on.

I don't think the answer your looking for will be provided here .

 

[mocenigo]

All low distortion solid state amps are going to sound pretty much identical ( if not identical) if they are capable of driving the partnering loudspeaker.
Keith

All low distortion [solid state or vacuum tube] amps going to sound pretty much identical ( if not identical) if they are capable of driving the partnering loudspeaker at wattages which will not cause the power supply to suddenly sag.

In the case of vacuum tube, the big question is on the low distortion (and on the types of distortion), power supply sagging is generic. But there are Class A tube amps with vanishingly low distortion, they just cost an arm and a leg... and a kidney.

 

[JimB]

All low distortion [solid state or vacuum tube] amps going to sound pretty much identical ( if not identical) if they are capable of driving the partnering loudspeaker at wattages which will not cause the power supply to suddenly sag.

In the case of vacuum tube, the big question is on the low distortion (and on the types of distortion), power supply sagging is generic. But there are Class A tube amps with vanishingly low distortion, they just cost an arm and a leg... and a kidney.

Add damping factor to that.

 

[DonH56]

IME experience the largest difference between tube and SS sound at modest to low levels is due to their drastically different output impedances (*). Tubes exhibit maybe 1 ohm or so compared to 0.010 ohms or less for SS amplifiers. That changes the frequency response of the speakers and explains why some like their tubes with certain speakers and not others.

(*) Edit: @JimB beat me to it -- damping factor is DF = Zload / Zamp -- lower amplifier output impedance means higher damping factor. Tubes run around 10, SS amps around 100 or more. I have seen tube amps with DF ~4 and SS amps with >1000.

 

[AudioEnthusiast]

I hope he's good at photography.

Landscape photography is one of my hobbies. Ken Rockwell is famous for making outrageous claims that he believes challenge conventional wisdom. I’ll just stop there.

 

[Wes]

I hope he's good at photography.

he isn't - I call him Krockwell

 

[Puska]

Guys... Sorry but all of this comments are not answering my question. It's far of the topic.

 

[AudioEnthusiast]

Guys... Sorry but all of this comments are not answering my question. It's far of the topic.

I responded saying that Benchmark is shipping back orders now. I will receive mine tomorrow after ordering on January 13. You might receive yours very soon.

Others have responded giving alternatives and saying that subjective opinions on those alternatives are probably not going to be given in this forum.

So, not entirely certain what answer you’re wanting? As the saying goes, help us to help you.

edit: plus, this is the general AHB2 thread, I believe.

 

[granosalis]

Sorry if I'm reiterating my question:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ements-of-benchmark-ahb2-amp.7628/post-323790
What do you think about Tannoy Canterbury GR and Benchmark AHB2?

 

[Laserjock]

Sorry if I'm reiterating my question:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ements-of-benchmark-ahb2-amp.7628/post-323790
What do you think about Tannoy Canterbury GR and Benchmark AHB2?

You could use just about any amp with those.
I think the Benchmark AHB2 would be a perfect match. Clean power to an easy to drive, big, adjustable tuning, concentric driver speaker. Plus, you only need one.

What’s you music of choice and what are the other electronics/room?

Chris

 

[granosalis]

I have a treated and dedicated environment of about 35sqm. I'm currently using a DAC3B with Vitus Audio integrated amplifier.
I like Jazz, prog rock and electronic. I also like classic music but I don't hear too much.
Many people believe that Tannoy and Accupahse are a perfect matching , but 70Kilos Class A amplifiers are still a good choice?
I like the Benchmark idea of linearity low noise, low distortion amplifier.
Moreover, buying DAC3B was my best purchase along with my beloved tannoy

 

[cjm2077]

I have a treated and dedicated environment of about 35sqm. I'm currently using a DAC3B with Vitus Audio integrated amplifier.
I like Jazz, prog rock and electronic. I also like classic music but I don't hear too much.
Many people believe that Tannoy and Accupahse are a perfect matching , but 70Kilos Class A amplifiers are still a good choice?
I like the Benchmark idea of linearity low noise, low distortion amplifier.
Moreover, buying DAC3B was my best purchase along with my beloved tannoy

The Tannoy are high sensitivity, so they would benefit from the low noise floor from the Benchmark. You'll have more than enough power to make yourself deaf if you so choose, and it doesn't look like the Tannoy is a tough load to drive. Should work out great.

 

[AudioEnthusiast]

I received mine today. If you’re wondering about the silver face panel, the milling is just as good as on other high end silver units. The photos at Benchmark’s website make it look flat or featureless. It isn’t. If you prefer silver, go for it. It’s very good looking.

This isn’t a forum for subjective opinions, so I won’t talk about those...however, after two hours of classical music, I’m pretty certain I will be keeping it.

 

[RichB]

I received mine today. If you’re wondering about the silver face panel, the milling is just as good as on other high end silver units. The photos at Benchmark’s website make it look flat or featureless. It isn’t. If you prefer silver, go for it. It’s very good looking.

This isn’t a forum for subjective opinions, so I won’t talk about those...however, after two hours of classical music, I’m pretty certain I will be keeping it.

There is nothing wrong with acknowledged subjective opinions.

- Rich

 

[AudioEnthusiast]

There is nothing wrong with acknowledged subjective opinions.

- Rich

In that case...it has amazing plankton.

No, but seriously, it sounds smooth and transparent. No listening fatigue at all. I could listen indefinitely if I had the time.

 

[darkless]

Hello, Giuseppe here, this is my first post.
After buying the DAC3B I felt so in love with it that now I'm planning to build a entire Benchmark stack togheter with HPA4 and AHB2.
I have the Tannoy Canterbury Gold Reference. What do you thin about pairing with the AHB2? One or two in bridged mono?
I searched the internet but it seems that no one has a Benchmark / Tannoy system. Thanks in advance.
Giuseppe

Hi Giuseppe. This is also my first post as I just registered in order to reply to your question.

I happen to have a Benchmark AHB2 that until recently was used to power my Tannoy Canterbury GR speakers. It's a great combination, and I've never had the amp run out of steam on these speakers. Their sensitivity rating at 96 dB/W/m with a nominal impedance of 8 Ohm seems to be an easy load for the AHB2.

In short, If you're looking for a truly transparent power amp look no further. I tried but ultimately failed to consistently tell a difference between my Chord DAVE's analog output stage directly feeding my Tannoys vs having the AHB2 powering them. Obviously the dedicated amp has a lot more power than the DAC, so it's not a fair comparison.

I'm afraid I can't help you with your question regarding having an extra amp, but I can say that I've never been able to make the amp clip using the Tannoys. At a meet last year where I had taken the AHB2 with me, we used it to power a pair of bookshelf speakers with much lower sensitivity and we did manage to make it clip on those, although the volume level was higher than what I am comfortable listening to in my own room.