Benchmark Media Systems. Right or wrong

I have an LA4 and AHB2 fantastic combo for the money and expandable if desired. One thing about Benchmark that I like is they don’t use the word salad terms a ton of companies use. They actually test AND listen to their products and others. They can show you exactly what their components will do. Whether or not they work in a system or not is entirely dependent on the further system and the owner’s ears.

To me, the info Benchmark puts out is more than opinion, is objectively attained so to me has a bit more clout. To each their own.

About what you'd expect from a company whose products sound clean, but sterile and clinical to a fault.

I disagree that as a manufacturer they shouldn’t voice an opinion.  There are plenty of manufacturers who weigh in on the opposite side, attempting to create a market for products that listeners did just fine without, such as power conditioner, ultra expensive power cords, inter connects (particularly digital) and power cords, fuses, switches, turntable mats made from lactating yaks…It’s nice to have someone on the manufacturing side call out the bs 

I've never particularly liked their DAC's and Amps...it also seems very clever marketing to a different but large segment of the audiophile market, not a bold position...I would definitely consider buying their cables for a secondary system...

I have a LA4 preamp in my system and it is a solid performer, yet I am seeking to replace it as I think it is a little dry. However, to the point, I have been trialing “audiophile” balanced interconnects between my DAC, the LA4, and my amp. I had one set of Benchmark XLR’s and a set of Blue Jeans Belden’s, that I was replacing. I have tried two well known brands so far, both very different, and have one more set on deck. A friend with a very resolving system tried the same cables as I have, and independently, we have the an similar opinion of each set. 

Yes, there is snake oil out there, but not all of it.