Seriously? Why Buy ARC Ref 6SE? seems Benchmark LA4 is a better choice.

Funny how jealousy expresses itself here.

If you want to hear a difference between components buy tube gear!

It is supposed to be a neutral pass thru of a signal.

I don't buy for neutral, I buy for fun.  I have to say the ARC is one of the most neutral bits of tube gear out there, which in my mind has made it a let down.

Lots of less expensive gear sounds as good to my ears in this generation.

Having said that.... Some vintage CJ or Luxman transformer volume controlled pre's can really add a lot of enjoyment and image to the experience. 
Ayre, yeah, I like Ayre pre's a lot more too. :)

Best,
E

+1 emergingsoul! You speak the uncomfortable truth! Expensive high end gear is a case of "the emperor’s new clothes"!

@tomcy6 : the truth is that there is no discernable sonic difference between any of today's solid state gear (amps, preamps, CD/DVD players/transports, DACs) - regardless of what the golden ear audio gurus claim! 

Marketing hype and marque fsctor! Same as high-priced SUVs (Mercedes. BMW, Audi ...)

As many have said, you have to listen to preamps to decide which one you like.  If you can't bring yourself to believe that they can sound different, buy the cheapest one that appeals to you in other ways.

I think it boils down to a segment of market that is ego driven, knows quality, kinda naive, wants to feel comfortable with a purchase, likes to be admired by peers, and has the means to spend some money.  I don’t mind the price differential, as long as I receive value, can understand what I am buying, and don’t get taken advantage of.

a product like the Benchmark la4 throws a big wrench into the fan.

I spoke with Rory Rail at Benchmark when I order 6 months ago. They are not keeping up with demand even today. Go to the web site today and see the disclaimer (capital letters are from web site).

" WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING VERY HIGH DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS. WE ARE WORKING HARD TO MEET THE INCREASED DEMAND. ALL ORDERS ARE FULLFILLED IN THE ORDER RECEIVED. "

You can get something like Luxman or Ref 6SE that connects you to music emotionally or get something like Benchmark for background noise.

As someone who has heard all of those components I would say that comment is rather ignorant. I have a feeling you are not even clued into that we are talking about preamps on this thread. You funny though.

Actually you should not hear anything from the LA4, zero, utterly silent. If you are hearing chalk on a blackboard with the LA4 then you are hearing something else in the system.

The ARC will have some sound character to it. I heard my buddies ARC based tub system with Spendor D7’s and it sounded great but not something I would get for myself.

I had this same preamp decision when I went preamp shopping a few months ago. Get something with a sound signature to it like the great Luxman c900u or something without any sound to it like the HPA4/LA4. I am very happy I got the HPA4 and can add any amp + speaker to tailor the sound.

Just keep your eyes open for posts by people who give the LA4 a 30 day home demo and decide this is a great choice for their mega expensive ($100K) systems. Already 1 or 2 posts like that on Audiogon and a few on WBF. Benchmark seems to be behind on orders for almost all of 2020. A lot of demand.

I do think the LA4 looks rather unattractive.

One part of the answer might be found by comparing the two units’ resale history at somewhere like HiFi Shark. If audiophiles like to try and buy, than perhaps one unit retains value better than the other? Just a guess, because they both seem like very reputable brands, though ARC is much more well-known, overall, right?

+1, @stereo5 and @jperry 

" it’s all marketing funny business. If there truly were diffs there would be all kinds of efforts to have AB testing reviews and in store comparisons. They don’t do this."

Sounds just like kenjit’s speaker narrative

I doubt they sound the same. Nor do they look the same. So there is that. Different strokes for different folks. I have an ARC preamp currently I am very fond of but would also like to try the Benchmark. They are both companies with very good reputations for delivering quality pieces of technology based on substantial R&D but with somewhat different goals in mind. 

Benchmark always sounds like nails on a chalkboard to me.  Why buy an expensive car when a cheap Fiat can do the same things?  You get what you pay for.   If you can’t figure out the difference, you are in the wrong hobby. 

I would imagine you could hear differences between the ARC and Benchmark and it comes down to preference. I know I would prefer the Benchmark. I like transparent as possible and tossing tubes in the preamp just adds distortion.

I have heard both, and apparently you have not.

Go listen and the answer will become clear, 

Do you know Julian Hirsch?

Yes, I understand about amps not part of the benchmark.

but, it remains totally unclear what is achieved within the arc 6se box. It’s a simple preamp.

There is value in a dac, in an amp, speakers and even an avr.  These are complex electronics devices with much going on inside.  I am getting more hard pressed to justify a $17k spend on a stereo preamp.  I would prefer to devote resources to a better main speaker with larger drivers. This follows an especially helpful discussion with a high end dealer who said it is very difficult discerning a diff between stereo preamps.  Much easier to pick out a diff in speakers.

it’s all marketing funny business.  If there truly were diffs there would be all kinds of efforts to have AB testing reviews and in store comparisons.  They don’t do this.

Well then emergingsoul, don't buy one!

The ARC has tubes, few more inputs and reputation. Some don't buy products looking for the most neutral or best measuring.

" Frankly, what justifies buying a preamp at such a high price?? It is supposed to be a neutral pass thru of a signal."

Are you expecting a different set of responses than you already received in your other thread?https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/high-end-stereo-preamps-worth-it