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Benchmark LA4 Preamp?

I’m seriously considering buying this $2,500 solid-state preamp and looking for input from anyone who owns or has heard this preamp.  The LA4 is identical to their HPA4 unit just without the headphone amp.

From all the reviews and Benchmark’s site that I’ve read, this seems like an extremely low noise and neutral preamp that may be a very good match for my extremely low noise, neutral and high powered class D D-Sonic M3-600-M monoblock amps that I use to drive a pair of Magnepan 2.7QR 4 ohm speakers.
My main source for 2-ch music is a Lumin D2 dac/streamer for music files and Tidal streaming. For HT, I’ll be using a yet to be determined 4K Bluray player as I’m also transforming from an Oppo 105 1080p player and 1080p hdtv to 4K. The LA4 has caught my attention since it has dual balanced XLR inputs to accommodate the XLR outputs of the Lumin D2 and whatever new Bluray player I choose. I plan on ordering the optional remote for the LA4 which would allow easy selection between music or HT as well as being a low noise, low distortion and neutral conduit for both.

I really appreciate any input on the LA4, or even options for a high quality Bluray player with balanced outputs, that you’re able to offer.

Thanks,
Tim
128x128noble100
fast
92 posts
 
In the same Golden Ear Awards section as the Benchmark, AS has a short review of ihe Yamahs 5000 system. There’s also,a much longer review elsewhere in the issue. All very positive.  
A dealer told me that both AS and Stereophile submit their proposed reviews in draft to the manufacturers...who are often their advertisers...for pre publication feedback and allow them to veto negative reviews.  This may account for the lack of negative reviews. Unfortunately, it means that readers/consumers have no way of knowing whether a product which has no published review actually  received a  bad review  which was vetoed by the manufacturer or was never reviewed.  
yyzsantabarbara
4,922 posts
 
Yes, I have heard similar about various entities.

The reason I was interested on the review was not to read about the sound quality. I have demoed them so I already know. I want to learn more about the road map for the NS line of speakers. Sometimes these reviews go into the business side of things. It is impossible to get any feedback from Yamaha as a consumer. Though a dealer is trying to get more info for me at the moment by contacting Yamaha themselves..
aberyclark
1,356 posts
 
I've read numerous reviews in forums, etc that The HPA4 is quiet as a mouse and gets out of the way
yyzsantabarbara
4,922 posts
 
With that silence you hear music that was obscured before.

The other night I wanted celebrate a big win by one of my sports teams. So I cranked up 2112 by RUSH because it was a Toronto team that won.

I am listening on headphones via the HPA4, my Meze Empy phones are not even supposed to be detail kings like the Focal Utopia, I start hearing echo in one track that never heard before and I knew this track for 40 years. This echo, purposefully added by the musicians, added a nice quality to the song. I am like where the heck did that echo come from. You feel like you are hearing all the music with this gear and I get so immersed into the music.
tobes's avatar
tobes
436 posts
 
I'm using the HPA4 as preamp driving my active ATC SCM100 towers.
The best way to think of this pre is as a direct conduit that allows source selection and volume control.
This makes it the theoretical ideal preamp, but I think it's clear that not everyone wants this sort of truthfulness to source.
If you're looking for something to warm up or otherwise embellish/emphasise your sound in any way, then look elsewhere.  
I think the HPA4 is a great piece of equipment - especially when you consider that other companies that pursue this perfectionist ultra low distortion/noise approach charge far more. 
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