Some love for the Benchmark HPA4/LA4

I’m interested in how dac3 HDC sounds different  with and without the separate Benchmark pre. 

@adurerca I ran direct to amp for years. I should have added a preamp earlier. Hope you have the same experience. Please do report back....

@cal3713 I will be back in about a week once I get the LA4 setup.  I tried using software volume control for the longest time but it was not convenient and dangerous if you made a bad slip of the finger to full volume.  Having the DAC3L volume control was such a welcomed relief but I still want to get the best sound possible.

I owned DAC1 years ago (kind of hated it)

DAC2 HGC 
DAC3 HGC 
AHBB2 (sold it)
AGHB2 (bought again but this time with DAC3B and HPA4)

For me the main difference was in the volume. The HPA4 sounds great at every volume level. I listen at low volumes late at night (at least before I bought headphones) and the HPA4 was so much better than the DAC3 HGC volume. I felt I was missing part of music at low volume with the HGC. With the HPA4, I feel I can hear everything, just at a lower volume level.

Good morning, I received my LA4 yesterday and have been using it for all of one day. I think I am back in th preamp camp. But I am also a full Benchmark stack guy now so I think there is a large amount of system synergy taking place.

With the LA4 in the path there is DEFINITELY a new level of volume control. Compared to the DAC3, it is worlds better with very precise and subtle adjustments in .5 decibel increments. What enticed me to get the LA4 was the low volume listening claims since my wife is always telling me to lower the stereo volume. I am not audio technical and will never claim to be but here is how I would explain what I am hearing.

At lower volumes, there is more control in the music, it is"fuller" and not as muffled. It is really surprising and enjoyable. My average listening level is about 40 decibels. Having this device in my signal path has definitely not degraded sound which was always my fear of extra boxes, cables and power cords. My fear was unfounded.  I don't like or need heavy bass response but my setup gives me just enough to say "wow, nice bass".

The touchscreen functionality is pretty cool too, not as polished as Salesforce or Office 365 but it works. As for aesthetics, it is not eye candy or audio jewelry but it is built well and has some heft to it, weighing more than the DAC3. The volume knob feels precise and solid when you rotate it but much less resistance than the DAC3 volume knob. I also used the 12V triggering which is a nice convenience.

I used Van Damme cables from pre to amp and Belden 1800F from DAC to pre so a dissimilar chain but I hope with the "professional" balanced circuitry that Benchmark is always touting, my cabling does not have a noticeable effect. In summary, if you have a Benchmark duo and an extra $2500, you will be very happy with the LA4. I still have 29 days on the trial period but there is no question, I am keeping it for sure. My Benchmark stack totals $7,500 which is a relative bargain in this hobby.