PS Audio BHK versus Benchmark

Benchmark amps are known to struggle with some power and current hungry speakers, and running two will actually make that worse, not better, because it halves the impedance seen.

You definitely want to call them and ask, and when you do know the impedance (nominal and minimum) and sensitivity ratings of your speakers.

Suffice it to say there are many speakers that BHK 300’s will power easily that AHB2 will shut down on and be unable to. 

Whether yours are one of those, I don’t know. Your trial period would reveal, but call them first to avoid wasting time. They know their amp’s limitations, so much so that each time I’ve called with interest in AHB2 they make sure to ask what speakers I’ll be using 

Thanks Kren, I was not aware of that.  I check in the negative column because I tend to change and experiment with different speakers.  

Here's the kicker. The BHK may a hard sell due to the fact so many people got HUGE discounts before PSA went direct. The last I checked, quite a few for sale and I'm not certain they are actually selling for the cheaper used prices. I believe that was one of the main reasons PSA went direct. Their resale value was alike a GM car....worse than normal. 

However, you do have a wonderful system made with top quality components. I have a BHK pre and the only upgrade I am thinking of is a McIntosh c2700. Yes...I did get the BHK super cheap brand new 

Indeed, concerned about that.  Interestingly, my BHK Pre replaced a McIntosh C2200.  C2700 is a nice piece, lots more flexibility than the BHK.  This is a crazy hobby!

@audionutjeff I would not personally call the DAC3B sterile sounding but someone coming from a more tube like presentation likely would. I like the DAC3B, but I think I can do better at around 2x plus cost.

The speakers I now own, but are in my garage being completely refurbished, is the Thiel CS 3.7. This speaker plays in the 2 - 3 Ohm range for most of the audioband and should not match well with 2 AHB2s. However, I have done a lot of research on this, including talking with John Siau, Rory Rail, Tom Thiel, and a lot of A'gon posters. I am going to go ahead and get 1 more AHB2 to try out on a 30 day home trial. My single AHB2 actually is not bad in my small room, but I get the feeling more power even at lower volume many be better. That is why I want to test it out. At the moment my KEF LS50 is back in the system.

I also found out that Benchmark cannot publish the spec on the AHB2 in mono form at 2 Ohm. This is because the tests require a constant signal for 30 minutes, which the mono AHB2 cannot do (stereo version can). They said that this is not a realistic musical situation and 2 AHB2s will be fine in my situation. They also said the mon AHB2 can even go down to 1 Ohm. I will find out, but will do so much later since this is a much lower audio priority issue.

There is another amp that likely sounds very much like the AHB2 that I am also considering. It is the new amps based on the Purifi modules. New more powerful modules are expected in the near future. These will have 1000+ watts at 2 Ohm. Perfect for my speakers and also super silent like the AHB2. They are Class D but I think from all accounts sounds very much like the AHB2.

BTW - I think the LA4/HPA4 are the best pieces that Benchmark sells. Just an incredible preamp.