I just finished my review of the Benchmark DAC3 DX and AHB2. They were extremely good with the hybrid horn PureAudioProject Trio15 Horn 1 Speaker (also reviewed). I wasn't sure how well the class AAA technology would work with the horn, but it was exemplary.
Benchmark AHB2 amplifier - what to expect?
My current amplifier, driven by Benchmark DAC3 HGC, is Rowland model 102. It is basically couple of Icepower 200ASC modules packed into resonance free heavy case, with additional input differential amp THAT1200. These modules were used in many small class D amps, including Bel Canto S300 and M300. I feel that Benchmark AHB2 might be a good choice for few reasons:
- It matches my Benchmark DAC3 (electrically and physically)
- It has neutral sound, that I like, with very low noise floor (according to reviews)
- It could possibly extend trebles a little more (trebles are slightly veiled now).
My speakers are Hyperion Sound HPS-938, (a giant killer), but not too many people are familiar with them since company went bankrupt few years ago. They tend to sound warm (soft dome tweeter), with wonderful midrange.
I'm looking for anyone familiar with AHB2 and class D amps. I found favorable review of AHB2 vs NAD M22, but it might not apply to my situation since M22 is based on different modules (Hypex). My birthday is coming in a month and I could buy myself a present. I will be grateful for any comments.
- It matches my Benchmark DAC3 (electrically and physically)
- It has neutral sound, that I like, with very low noise floor (according to reviews)
- It could possibly extend trebles a little more (trebles are slightly veiled now).
My speakers are Hyperion Sound HPS-938, (a giant killer), but not too many people are familiar with them since company went bankrupt few years ago. They tend to sound warm (soft dome tweeter), with wonderful midrange.
I'm looking for anyone familiar with AHB2 and class D amps. I found favorable review of AHB2 vs NAD M22, but it might not apply to my situation since M22 is based on different modules (Hypex). My birthday is coming in a month and I could buy myself a present. I will be grateful for any comments.
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Douglas, Thank you for a fine review. I had similar problems with position of connectors. My speaker cable wires are thick and don't bend 90deg. It forces them to go down on both sides of XLR input plug. Since wire on the outside of the plug encroaches on both 12V 1/8" connectors I had to force the 1/8" plug in (almost impossible). I find performance of the bass phenomenal. There are low notes that were completely missing before (why?), not to mention better dynamics. That is really strange since my speakers are benign load (6ohm, 3.6ohm min) while Rowland 102 has 5Hz -3dB limit and DF=4000 at low frequencies. AHB2 has 0.1Hz -3dB limit and DF=350 at 20Hz. I also find improved overall clarity from bass to high treble. Unfortunately some recordings still sound veiled while some others now sound thin (veiled before). It sounds wonderful on fine records but also ruthlessly reveals shortcomings of the poor recordings. Imaging is improved, both width and depth. I played drum solo on Chesky Records test CD and was absolutely stunned. It sounded like live set of drums playing in my living room. Bass control is better than before and the transients are fantastic. Pink Floyd's "Hey You" shook my windows and made me jump at the moment when drums and bass came in. Also sibilants are strong, but very clean, while upper trebles are delicate without brightness. Violins "sing" and trumpets have wonderful "bite". Shirley Horn "You won't forget me" title song with Miles Davis solo sounds great. Same for "It had to be you" with Brandford Marsalis solo. I put my ear, as close as I could, to the tweeter and it was completely silent. Heat sinks get very warm when playing at high level for extended time, but stay lukewarm at comfortable listening levels. So far AHB2 has only 25 hours of play time, but I expect further improvements to be subtle. To your suggestion about incorporating pink LED I have to say NO (I was awake). I encountered strange problem at the beginning. My remote stopped working. I tried it with different sets of batteries. I unplugged AHB2 and DAC3 to no avail. After about 20 min it started working again by itself. I thought, that since power timer on AHB2 was set to 40min it could've turn off DAC3 since it works both ways, but now I cannot repeat it - it turns on fine in the morning. I hope it was just a fluke. I'm going to disable this timer anyway (don't need it). |
Randy, you mean my clumsy attempt to write review? Yes it was in comparison to Rowland 102, but it is likely not very useful, since Rowland 102 is based on old, first generation of Icepower modules. I can only say that AHB2 sounds wonderful to me and it is getting better in all respects every day, but again it means nothing taking into consideration my limited experience. Rowland was a good amp (I keep it for the second system), but AHB2 is outstanding. I found interesting discussion on Audioasylum : http://https//www.audioasylum.com/messages/amp/205426/review-benchmark-ahb2-with-avantgarde-speakers-what-a-disappointment OP calls AHB2 a big disappointment in comparison to his SET amp, while in follow up discussion another person has completely different view. At one point John Siau, a lead engineer at Benchmark, explains why opinions can be so different. I solved the problem with my remote. Receiving diode in DAC3 had one pin poorly soldered. This pin connects to ground plane that sinks a lot of heat. It looked like soldered by somebody who doesn’t have any experience (or is blind). I fixed it to avoid shipping it back and forth, but I would expect better from Benchmark. The problem is that almost everything else is SMT - a well controlled process, but hand soldering depends on the skill of a person. RCA was famous for cold solder joints in their TVs (I had one with two cold joints), because it was most likely assembled by cheap unskilled labor. |
- 53 posts total