Issues and Feature suggestions
- ISSUE: Fixed Volume Input Setup is retained when returning to another results is massive volume and potential speaker damage.
I was blasted out of my chair twice after setting the HT bypass input and return to the DAC input. I had to dive for the volume to avoid damaging the Salon2’s.
Recommendation: Please consider lowering the volume or retaining the input’s last volume when exiting from the Input Setup screen.
- ISSUE: The LA4 does not support discrete input selection via the remote.
Customers assume that an HPA4/LA4 inputs can be directly selected using the purchased remote D1 to D4 buttons. They bought the remote and the buttons are not serving any other purpose when the unit is not paired with a Benchmark DAC. In my case, I use the Oppo 205 DAC but this is also a dual use device. It is also a Roon endpoint, another huge plus.
Recommendation: Implement an LA4 Remote mode or additional IR commands to provide discrete selection of inputs. Ideally a Remote configuration option could be added for HPA4/LA4 mode to allow D1 to D4 to select inputs 1-4.
- Feature: Power-On Volume Setting (Global)
This is a convenience feature that allows setting the power-on volume to a reasonably low level. It is usefully when powering on late at night to avoid accidentally waking the household from an inherited high-level. It is best as a global setting that applies to any volume controlled input (input that is not set for a fixed volume). For backward compatibility, the setting choices could include “LAST” to power on each input’s last volume.
- Feature: Maximum Volume Setting (Global)
This is a safety feature to avoid damaging the system, for example, kid-proofing. It is best a global setting that applies to any volume-controlled input. For backward compatibility, the setting could include a disabled option. On my system, +12 blasted (used for HT) produced a very loud and distorted signal.
- Feature: Large Volume Display (Active Input Screen)
At 12 feet away, I cannot see the volume. The bar chart is available but acceptable volume fall in about 15% of the chart that is not easily discerned.
Please consider replacing the large “LA4” on the input display with the current volume in an equal or larger font. The smaller version could be removed.
- Feature: Display On (Timed or Toggled)
When the LA4 is set to dim or off, there is no way to view the volume without changing the volume or input. A display option would be ideal that either turns on the display for a time governed by the screen settings or keeps the display on until toggled off.
