Benchmark AHB2 power amp impressions?

I wonder pairing the AHB2 with a tube preamp would be a good combination. I like how you can change the gain with both unbalanced and balanced cables. The amp, from what I've read, can sound quite clinical to some. With a good tube pre, some slight smoothness is what would make a great sounding system.

Keep us updated 

Just curious if anyone purchased the Benchmark brand Canare speaker cables with the "special" connector at one end (for the amplifier). The interconnects they sell look like they are the same Beldon cables you can buy thru Blue Jeans just customized for Benchmark. 

I would guess a dead quiet amp like the Benchmark may highlight cable differences more. Just a guess

Thanks for invite. People must love the amp...not may used (or they return them quickly after purchasing). I'm hoping, after new year, to try one in my system. I have to say, my NuForce STA200 is sooo good as I have everything dialed in great. However, the thought of the ultra quiet Benchmark, with my RP-5 tube preamp and ZU omen defs really sounds appealing.

I would probably buy the actual Benchmark speaker cables. I believe on another forum, a couple said they were quite good.

I always love Dagogo reviews. The reviews are very "real world" without the influence of major manufacturer advertising dollars. 


Thanks for the advice. I never did agree that great amps are immune from cable swaps. In fact, I would think an uncolored amp like the Benchmark would highlight the differences even more since one would have a "cleaner (FLOABT)" path to the source material being played and difference would stand out more. I currently use Canare start quads with my system, so it probably would not make since to buy the Benchmark cables anyway. I have been considering ZU event cables.

I believe when some reviewers say the amp is sterile, they are hearing is the actual weakness of the source material. So much music , especially in rock and pop, has been poorly recorded, mastered, etc...that those faults come to the forefront with a revealing system.

Maybe I missed above, has anyone compared sound quality of using the preferred full balanced cable hook vs RCA to XLR cable or adapter?  My Rogue RP 5 pre only offers RCA main outs. Yes, I could purchase the RP- 7 , but that’s quite a bit more cash

Geek101:
Thanks for the info. I wonder if make custom rca to XLR cables (ZU will make them) is a better option than using the adaptors that Benchmark sells?

I have the Star Quads, which I believe that are similar to the BM speaker cables, and have been quite happy. Good to hear you like the BM cables.